About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of April 15, 2024

April continues with a SoCal jazz week including Herbie Hancock, Billy Childs, Mike Miller, Yellowjackets, Antonio Sanchez, Hiromi, Anthony Wilson, Clayton Cameron, Adam Hersh, Charles Ruggerio, Keyon Harrold, Geoff Stradling, Munyungo Jackson, Kenny G, and Joey Navarro.

Please see the online version of About & Out for updated information throughout the week at lajazzpicks.com. It’s a good idea to check with venues directly for any last minute changes and/or cancellations before heading out. The LAjazz.com Quick Calendar lists shows and times three days in advance on the LAjazz.com home page.

Monday 4/15 – Blanco Diablo at The Baked Potato

Blanco Diablo is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Matt Rohde on keys, Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute, Jamie Kime on guitar, Joey De Leon on percussion, Dave Goodwin on bass, and Andy Sanesi on drums.  Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Riner Scvially is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A. Bassist Ryan Cross’ Jazz Eclectic is at Riviera 31 at the Beverly Hills Sofitel Hotel. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Eddie V’s in San Diego. The Hot Club of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Wally’s in Santa Monica.

Tuesday 4/16 – Adam Hersh Plays Allan Holdsworth at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Adam Hersh leads a group in playing the music of Allan Holdsworth at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Andy Waddell on guitar, Max Gerl on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane fronts a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Jeff Pifher & Socrates’ Trial are at TRiP in Santa Monica. Bassist Justin Grinnell celebrates the music of Henry Mancini with a group at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Drummer Kyle Poole hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant sings songs made popular by Tony Bennett at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Drummer David Whitman is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Drummer Gengis Don is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown Los Angeles. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Drummer Jacob Wendt leads the monthly Long Beach Jazz Jam at The Auld Dubliner. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 4/17 – Anthony Wilson at Sam First

Guitarist Anthony Wilson is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu) with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson on viola, Josh Nelson on piano, Paul Bryan on bass, and Jay Bellerose on drums . Pianist Herbie Hancock is at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays the music of Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Dayramir Gonzalez celebrates an album release at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Jacob Tyler Bader and guitarist Christian Rodriguez play a lunchtime show at The Conrad in La Jolla, followed by an evening performance featuring multiple jazz pianists from the San Diego area including Mike Wofford and Melonie Grinnell. Vocalist Joanna Gergola is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. The Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at Bistango in Irvine. The Supa Lowery Brothers are at the Freehand Hotel in downtown L.A. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. The Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Collage in San Pedro hosts a jazz jam hosted by trumpeter Grant Hungerford. Guitarist Shea Welsh and vocalist Hope Diamond do an evening of blues at TRiP in Santa Monica.

Thursday 4/18 – Clayton Cameron at The Baked Potato

Drummer Clayton Cameron is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Grant Geissman on guitar, Edwin Livingston on bass, Rastine Calhoun on sax, and Andy Langham on keys. Pianist Herbie Hancock is at the Balboa Theatre in San Diego. Drummer Antonio Sanchez is at UCSD The Loft in San Diego. Guitarist Anthony Wilson is at Sam First near LAX. The Brad Steinwehe Jazz Orchestra is at Dizzy’s in San Diego.  Bassist Santino Tafarella is at the Center Stage Theater in Santa Barbara with saxophonist Bob Sheppard and vocalist Maria Puga Lareo.  Pianist Michael Ragonese is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Keyboardist Cameron Graves is at The Townhouse in Venice. Vocalist Dena Michaels leads a tribute to Barbara Morrison at TBMPAC in South L.A. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Guitarist Dave Murdy is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Sherry Williams is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Drummer Al Williams is at The Merc in Temecula.  Saxophonist Jordan Leicht and trumpeter Michael Gutierrez lead a quintet at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at Semi Tropic Wines in Costa Mesa. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Norma in West Hollywood. Trumpeter Joel Schnaper is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A. The Irvine Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Meet In Paris Restaurant & Lounge in Culver City. Saxophonist David Patterson is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts an evening outdoor patio jam session for instrumentalists. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. The West Coast Jazz Duo is at Stella’s in Dana Point. Pianist Brad Bietry is at The George in Pasadena for happy hour.

Friday 4/19 – Billy Childs at Catalina Jazz Club

Pianist Billy Childs is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with a trio including Dan Chmielinski on bass and Benjamin Ring on drums. Guitarist Mike Miller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Otmaro Ruiz on keys, Jerry Watts on bass, Brandon Fields on sax, Walt Fowler on trumpet, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums. Yellowjackets are at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Pianist Geoff Stradling’s StradBand celebrates an album release at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Drummer Antonio Sanchez is at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Sam First near LAX. Percussionist Munyungo Jackson is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Dayramir Gonzalez is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Pianist Bill Cunliffe is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Saxophonist Kenny G is at the Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in Highland. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Luke Stewart and Mark Dresser split a bill at Collage in San Pedro. Pianist Quinn Johnson is at 1881 in Pasadena. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Bassist Rob Thorsen is at Books & Records in San Diego. Keyboardist Gregg Karukas is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Ana Gazzola is at The Merc in Temecula. Clarinetist/saxophonist Gerard Nolan is at Golden Island in San Diego. Trio Dinicu is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Pianist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Gregg Marx. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Aurora LA in West Los Angeles.

Saturday 4/20 – Herbie Hancock at Walt Disney Hall

Pianist Herbie Hancock is at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. with Chris Potter and Devin Daniels on saxophones, James Genus on bass, and Trevor Lawrence, Jr., on drums. Drummer Antonio Sanchez is at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Pianist Billy Childs is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Hiromi’s Sonicwonder is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Trumpeter Keyon Harrold is at The Nimoy in Westwood. Pianist Jeff Babko is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalists Teryn Re’ and Maria Schafer are at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Saxophonist Josh Johnson celebrates an album release at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Vocalist Melissa Morgan is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist David Garfield is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Bassist Mackenzie Leighton plays the music of Charles Mingus at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer Paul Kreibich is at the Milton Foster Concert Hall in Santa Ana. Saxophonist Dale Fielder is at The Dresden in Los Feliz. Vocalist LaRita Shelby is at TBMPAC in South L.A. Lizzy & The Triggermen are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Grace Fae is at Hearts & Flame in downtown L.A. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Kaylee Daugherty. Pianist Adam Wolff is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica.

Sunday 4/21 – Joey Navarro at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Brandon Fields on sax, Rene Camacho on bass, Joey De Leon on percussion, and Augustin Quiroga on guitar/vocals. Keyboardist Gregg Karukas is at Spahettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Lisa Donahey and vibraphonist Tommy Kesecker are at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Pianist Joshua White is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Saxophonist Kenny G is at The Novo in downtown L.A. Yocoya opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Andrea Miller. The San Diego Jazz All-stars are at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. AFM Local 47 in Burbank presents Week Two of their Sunday afternoon Jazz Festival series including trumpeter Aaron Janik. The Itty Bitty Big Band plays a late afternoon show at Collage in San Pedro. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Irving Flores is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Bassist Ryan Cross is at Delilah in West Hollywood. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Robert Turner is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. The World Stage hosts the Rose Gales Vocal Jam Session. Vocalist Beth Rohde leads a jam session at Barsha in Hermosa Beach. The Jelly Roll Jazz band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Guitarist Sam Shepherd plays an afternoon jazz brunch at Jack’s in Dana Point. Guitarist David Marcus does a brunch at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. Vocalists Jeffrey Gimble, Cat Conner and Phyllis Causey lead the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Saxophonist Nick Gomez has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty does a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego.

Monday 4/22 – Tom Kubis Big Band at the Gaslamp

The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach with guest vocalist Meloney Collins – the CSULB Jazz Band opens.  Le Combo is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 6 Beats Apart is at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. Saxophonist Michael Lington is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with bassist Marcus Miller. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Bassist Ryan Cross’ Jazz Eclectic is at Riviera 31 at the Beverly Hills Sofitel Hotel. The Hot Club of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Pianist Richard Turner is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Wally’s in Santa Monica.

Tuesday 4/23 – Cathy Segal-Garcia at the Harmony Room

Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock with Todd Hunter on keys, John Leftwich on bass, Lyndon Rochelle on drums, and Brad Rabuchin on guitar. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Drummer Justin Brown hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Kevin “Brandino” Brandon is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Takuya Kuroda is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. The Pepper Moons are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Rick Montalbano is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. The Jive Aces are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Blues guitarist/vocalist Josh Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Keri Kelsey leads an open mic at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown.Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. The Chapman University Big Band and Jazz Combo are at the Musco Center in Orange.

Wednesday 4/24 – Bernie Dresel’s BBB at Vibrato

Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). Pianist Javier Santiago is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarists Brad Rabuchin and Allen Hinds are at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Joe McPhee is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Eve Elliot is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Supa Lowery Brothers are at the Freehand Hotel in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Jerry Mandel is at Bistango in Irvine. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. The Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Colburn School Jazz Bands are at Catalina in Hollywood.