April continues with a SoCal jazz week featuring Carmen Lundy, Henry Franklin, Adam Hersh, Luis Conte, The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra, Benny Benack III, Graham Dechter, Sharon Marie Cline, Danny Janklow, Dayren Santamaria, Gerald Clayton w/Michael Mayo, Will Brahm, Bill Cunliffe, and Bijon Watson.
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 5/6 – Graham Dechter w/Joe La Barbera at The Baked Potato
Guitarist Graham Dechter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with a quartet including drummer Joe La Barbera. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake. Vocalist Crystal Lewis is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Amanda Portela sings the music of Peggy Lee at the Senses Bistro 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. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. The SBCC Jazz Combos are at SOhO in Santa Barbara.
Tuesday 5/7 – Gerald Clayton w/Michael Mayo at Sam First
Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX with guest vocalist Michael Mayo. Vocalist Lanie Kazan is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Alanna & These Fine Gentlemen open for guitarist Shea Welsh at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Liela Avila is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. The Baked Potato hosts a six-act Showcase Night including vocalist Mer Sal. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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 Louie Valenzuela is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. The Kupkasonic Orchestra is at The Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.
Wednesday 5/8 – Benny Benack III at Vibrato
Trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Larry Goldings and trumpeter John Sneider celebrate a CD release at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Bijon Watson is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom is at Vine in Long Beach. Blanket Of Clouds is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist/vocalist Rafael Moreira is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. The Garners are at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Christopher Hollyday plays a late afternoon show at The Conrad in La Jolla.
Thursday 5/9 – PSA Trio w/Bob Reynolds at Sam First
The PSA Trio is at Sam First near LAX with guest saxophonist Bob Reynolds. Guitarist Will Brahm is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Bill Cunliffe is at The Muck in Fullerton. Guitarist Pierre Bensusan is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Pianist Michael Ragonese is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Tim Hockenberry is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Newport Beach. Pianist Markus Burger is at The Merc in Temecula. Drummer Ed Smith is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Guitarist Keno Song and bassist Karim Yengsep are at Basil Brazil Cuisine in San Juan Capistrano. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Norma in West Hollywood. Trumpeter Joel Schnaper is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at Cana Rum Bar 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 5/10 – Henry “Skipper” Franklin at LACMA
Bassist Henry “Skipper” Franklin is at LACMA in West L.A. for the free Friday jazz series with Nolan Shaheed on trumpet, Teodross Avery on sax, Theo Saunders on piano, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums. Keyboardist Adam Hersh celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Percussionist Luis Conte is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Christian Moraga is at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica. Drummer Jose Perez is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Bassist Al Threats is at The World Stage in South L.A. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Pianist Kat Shoemaker and guitarist Zo Shah play the music of Bill Evans & Jim Hall at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Grape in Ventura. Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Teka is at Libretto in Paso Robles. The Rebirth Brass Band is at the Miracle Theater in Inglewood. Vocalist Mara Kaye is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Hope Diamond. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Violinist Susie Hansen is at Mayfair Park in Lakewood.
Saturday 5/11 – Carmen Lundy at the Kirk Douglas Theatre
Vocalist Carmen Lundy is at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Keyboardist Adam Hersh is at Sam First near LAX. The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra with guest pianist Marcus Roberts is at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach. Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at The Grape in Ventura. Violinist Dayren Santamaria is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Janis Mann is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Nutty is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Saxophonist Lorenzo Ferrero is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Tu-Ner is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Sat-Sun). Tilt is at St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Guitarist Chris Standring is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Laura Ingraham. 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. The Crown City Bombers are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 play a brunch at The Pour House in Monrovia. Vocalist Jamie Shew and guitarist John Storie play an afternoon show at Twisted Vine in Fullerton.
Sunday 5/12 – Tu-Ner at The Baked Potato
Tu-ner is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the second of two nights (Sat-Sun) with Trey Gunn and Markus Reuter on guitars and Pat Mastelotto on drums. Vocalist Niki Harris is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Jessy J is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Angie Wells does a Mother’s Day brunch with an all-star female band at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Vocalist Jacqui Hylton is at Wolfsglen in Westwood. 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. 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. Vocalist David Winston Barge has the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Saxophonist Nick Gomez has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Aaron Jacobs & The Swing Tones do a morning Mother’s Day Brunch at the Main Kitchen Bar & Grill in Canoga Park. The Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra is at SOhO in Santa Barbara for a Mother’s Day brunch.
Monday 5/13 – Jamie Kime at The Baked Potato
Guitarist Jamie Kime is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Matt Rohde on keys, Chris Roy on bass, Danny Carey on drums, and Andy Sanesi on percussion. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Guitarist Riner Scvially is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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 5/14 – Wesley Ritenour at Vibrato
Drummer Wesley Ritenour is at Vibrato in Bel Air with Lee Ritenour on guitar, Nick Campbell on bass, and Otmaro Ruiz on keys. The Jazz Butchers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Ben Williams hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Corcovado and saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica. Drummer Donald Dean is at the Petroleum Club in Bakersfield. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.
Wednesday 5/15 – Charles Ruggerio at The Baked Potato
Drummer Charles Ruggerio is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on sax, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Ruslan Sirota on keys. Pianist Christina Galisatus plays music from Joni Mitchell and Brian Blade at Sam First near LAX. Dolphin Hyperspace celebrates an album release at the Moroccan Lounge in downtown L.A. with guest drummer Louis Cole. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Native Vibe is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads a jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro.
About & Out - Tom Meek's Weekly Best Bets For Live Jazz In Los Angeles And Across Southern California 