Jazz highlights this week in SoCal include Noah Haidu, John Daversa, Jay Jennings, Nate Smith, Jeff Hamilton, Tim Lefebvre, Emmet Cohen, David Garfield, Deron Johnson, Sasha Berliner, Charles Owens, Katisse Buckingham, Gary Novak, Daniel Szabo, Andy Milne, Emily Braden, and the Barclay Jazz & Beyond Orchestra.
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 5/20 – Nate Smith at the Lodge Room
Drummer Nate Smith is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Organist Carey Frank is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The El Dorado College Big band opens for the Tom Kubis Big Band at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. 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. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Wally’s in Santa Monica. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.
Tuesday 5/21 – YaYennings Quartet at The Baked Potato
Trumpeter Jay Jennings at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on sax, Ross Schodek on bass, and Jose Perez on drums. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Tim Lefebvre is at the LACM Garage in Pasadena. Pianist Emmet Cohen is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Drummer Evan Stone is at La Puglia in Santa Monica with vocalist Lia Booth. Doors guitarist Robby Krieger & The Soul Savages are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Pablo Suñé is at TRiP in Santa Monica. 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. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.
Wednesday 5/22 – Barclay Jazz & Beyond Orchestra at the Barclay Theatre
The Barclay Jazz & Beyond Orchestra is at The Barclay Theatre in Irvine with featured performers including vocalists Tierney Sutton and Catherine Russell, pianist Shelley Berg, and saxophonist Tom Scott. Drummer Gary Novak is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Daniel Szabo is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Deron Johnson celebrates an album release at Gold-Diggers in West Hollywood. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Saxophonist David Binney opens for Knower at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Pianist Irving Flores is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at Seven Grand in San Diego. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. French vocal group Paris Chansons are at Vibrato in Bel Air.
Thursday 5/23 – John Daversa Big Band at The Baked Potato
Trumpeter John Daversa begins a four-night (Thu-Sun) run with his big band playing the music of The Beatles at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Emily Braden is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Jeff Hamilton is at the LACM Garage in Pasadena. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Derek Frank is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Quarteto Nuevo is at The Muck in Fullerton. Drummer/percussionist Christian Moraga is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Flutist Lori Bell is at The Merc in Temecula. The Hollywood Jazz Orchestra is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist Nils celebrates an album release at Catalina in Hollywood. Brazilian vocalist Lua de Morais is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Pianist/vocalist Valentina Shelton is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Mark Massey 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 with vocalist Grace Fae. Pianist Melonie Grinnell does a late afternoon show at The Conrad in La Jolla. Ashley Anne & The Carnations are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. B Side is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin.
Friday 5/24 – Sasha Berliner at Sam First
Vibraphonist Sasha Berliner is at Sam First near LAX with Julien Knowles on trumpet, Javier Santiago on piano, Max Gerl on bass, and Benjamin Ring on drums. Saxophonist Charles Owens is at The World Stage in South L.A. Saxophonist/flutist Katisse Buckingham is at LACMA in west L.A. for the free Friday jazz series. Trumpeter John Daversa’s Big Band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist Tito Puente, Jr. is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights. Guitarist Peter Sprague plays the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim at the La Jolla Community Center. Saxophonist Rastine Calhoun & The Bistro All-Stars are at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs foir the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Trio De Janeiro plays music of James Taylor at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Zzymzzy Quartet is at Golden Island in San Diego. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Gaile Gillaspie is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Drummer Matt Gordy 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 trumpeter Wayne Cobham. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Tasha Taylor is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.
Saturday 5/25 – David Garfield at Alvas Showroom
Keyboardist David Garfield is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro with Grant Geissman on guitar, John Peña on bass, and Chad Wackerman on drums. Pianist Andy Milne & Unison are at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Nolan Shaheed is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter John Daversa’s Big Band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Derek Frank is at The Grape in Ventura. Bassist Karl McComas-Reichl is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Percussionist Tito Puente, Jr. is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Howie Levine offers his “JazzNatra” evening at Hawg Heaven in Pasadena. Drummer Eric Ching is at Collage in San Pedro. Saxophonist Patrick Lamb is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Melonie Grinnell and bassist Justin Grinnell are at Books & Records in San Diego. Trio De Janeiro plays music of James Taylor at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Saxophonist Gerald Albright is at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Guitarist Pat Kelley is at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Flattop Tom & The Jump Cats are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Vocalist Denise Morgan is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 are at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. 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. Tino Productions is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist David Gomez is at Madam Bonnie’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Nick Gomez has an early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos plays an afternoon show at Seaport Village in San Diego.
Sunday 5/26 – Noah Haidu at Catalina Jazz Club
Pianist Noah Haidu is at Catalina in Hollywood with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Lenny White. Snarky Puppy guitarist Mark Letteri is at the Scherr Forum in Thousand Oaks. Trumpeter John Daversa’s Big Band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Fathers Voice opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Soul Sauce is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Vocalist Debbie Torres is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Andrea Miller. Bassist Jake Leckie is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Keyboardist/ percussionist Veritus Miller hosts a late afternoon jazz jam session at ORA in South L.A. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Matt Mauser is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. 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 Lia Booth has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski plays a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore does a brunch at the Hotel Republic in San Diego.
Monday 5/27 – Kait Dunton & John Schroeder at Seven Grand
Pianist Kait Dunton and guitarist John Schroeder are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Phatback, Earl & Me is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Tommy Gannon 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 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. Keyboardist Jay Smith has an early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.
Tuesday 5/28 – Eric Marienthal & David Benoit at Spaghettini
Saxophonist Eric Marienthal and pianist David Benoit celebrate a CD release at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Matthew Grief is at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Fresh Mint Pharaohs are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Irving Flores is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Vocalist Marva King & The Gems are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Low Poly Cactus is at The George in Pasadena. 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. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.
Wednesday 5/29 – One Shot Deal at The Baked Potato
One Shot Deal plays the music of Frank Zappa at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of three nights (Wed-Fri) with Joe Travers on drums, Scheila Gonzalex on sax/vocals, Jame Kime on guitar, Billy Hulting on percussion, Ben Thomas on trumpet/vocals, Pete Griffin on bass, and Matt Rohde on keys. Bassist Billy Mohler is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Aaron Jacobs & The Swing Tones are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Phillip Brandon is at Catalina in Hollywood with saxophonist Gerald Albright. Gypsy guitarist Joscho Stephan is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. 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 Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Happiness Band is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.
About & Out - Tom Meek's Weekly Best Bets For Live Jazz In Los Angeles And Across Southern California 