June opens with a SoCal jazz week including Paul Cornish, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Kamasi Washington, Jason Harnell, Charles McPherson, Danny Janklow, Steve Lehman, Rique Pantoja, Teodross Avery, Julien Knowles, Amber Weekes, Graham Dechter, Scott Kinsey, Gilbert Castellanos, and Betty Bryant.
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 6/3 – Dechter/Frank Quartet at The Baked Potato
Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jordan Siegel on keys and Joe Peri on drums. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. 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 6/4 – Marvin “Smitty” Smith at The Baked Potato
Drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Chris Lowery on trumpet, Dale Fielder and Phillip Whack on saxes, Lemar Guillary on trombone, Adam Ledbetter on keys, Rene Camacho on bass, and Christian Moraga on percussion. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Ryan DeWeese & The RAD Jazz Orchestra celebrate an album release at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Drummer Justin Brown hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist George Kahn and vocalist Courtney Lemmon are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Alanna & These Fine Gentlemen open for guitarist Shea Welsh at TRiP in Santa Monica. Bassist Mackenzie Leighton is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman 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. 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. The Axon Orchestra is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.
Wednesday 6/5 – Kaisa Mäensivu at Sam First
Bassist Kaisa Mäensivu is at Sam First near LAX with Adam Hersh on piano, Max Light on bass, and Joe Peri on drums. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Setsuko Hata is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Robert Lyle and guitarist Riner Scivally are at Roe Seafood in Long Beach. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Anthony Smith is at Books & Records in San Diego. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. 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. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe leads a Sound Dhaba student jazz jam at Art Share LA in downtown L.A.
Thursday 6/6 – Danny Janklow at The Baked Potato
Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bryan Velasco on keys, Jake Chapman on vibes, Katherine Ella Wood on vocals, Ana Barreiro on drums, Luca Alemanno on bass, and Allakoi Peete on percussion. Trumpeter Julien Knowles is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Paul Cornish is at The Muck in Fullerton. Vocalist Amber Weekes sings the music of Nancy Wilson at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Betty Bryant is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Bobby Lyle is at Vibrato in Bel Air with guest saxophonist Mindi Abair. Pianist Brian Clemens and vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim are at Drago Centro in downtown L.A. Guitarist Peter Sprague does a late afternoon show at The Conrad in La Jolla. Saxophonist Tripp Sprague leads a tribute to Weather Report at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego for the first of three nights (Thu-Sat). Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at The Merc in Temecula. Guitarist Michael O’Neill is at The Grape in Temecula. Brazilian vocalist Caro Pierotto is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at the Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Bassist Karim Yengsep is 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. 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 6/7 – Rique Pantoja at Vibrato
Pianist/vocalist Rique Pantoja is at Vibrato in Bel Air with Robert Kyle on sax, J.P. Mourao on guitar, Hussain Jiffry on bass, and Lucio Viero on drums. Saxophonist Teodross Avery has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Pianist Jeb Patton is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos plays an outdoor evening show at the Allied Gardens Recreation Center in San Diego. Bassist Kaisa Mäensivu is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Golden Island in San Diego. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Vocalist Janice Anderson is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Guitarist Zo Shah is at Books & Records in San Diego. Drummer Elijah Marrewa is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Guitarist Michael Thompson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Tripp Sprague leads a tribute to Weather Report at the Jazz Lounge 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 Bonnie Gilgallon. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist David Gomez is at Madam Bonnie’s in San Diego. Trumpeter Jeff Elliott is at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang.
Saturday 6/8 – Paul Cornish at Sam First
Pianist Paul Cornish plays a tribute to the late Geri Allen at Sam First near LAX with a quartet including Tina Raymond on drums, Devin Daniels on sax, and Aneesa Strings on bass. Saxophonist Steve Lehman is at The Nimoy in Westwood. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Jake Leckie celebrates an album release at the St. Stephens Episcopal Harmony Room in Hollywood. Percussionist Fausto Cuevas has the free Saturday Latin music show at the Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheater at LACMA in West L.A. Saxophonist Tripp Sprague leads a tribute to Weather Report at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist Norman Brown and saxophonist Kirk Whalum are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Vocalist Astghik Martirosyan is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Saxophonist Michael Lington is at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad with guitarist Steve Oliver. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association in Pasadena. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Dave Scott. Saxophonist Dale Fielder is at The Dresden in Los Feliz. The Axon Orchestra is at Corazon Performing Arts in Topanga. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Pianist Adam Wolff is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Aimee Nolte and guitarist Mike Scott are at the Sakana Sushi Lounge in downtown L.A. 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. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Vocalist John Destler is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina. Violinist Susie Hansen is at the Playhouse Village Park in Pasadena.
Sunday 6/9 – Kamasi Washington at Belly Up
Saxophonist Kamasi Washington is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Charles McPherson is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Guitarist Graham Dechter is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. The Barclay Theatre Jazz Band with vocalist Lia Booth is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Guitarist Steve Oliver is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Nils is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Aimee Allen is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. 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. Keyboardist/vocalist Wayne Wilentz has the afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. 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. Guitarist Matthew Grief has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich does a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx does a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Saxophonist Branden Brown hosts a new monthly Sunday jazz jam at Dogtown Coffee in Santa Monica.
Monday 6/10 – Hadrien Feraud at The Baked Potato
Bassist Hadrien Feraud is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Robert “Sput” Searight on drums, Ruslan Sirota and Chris Fishman on keys, Bob Reynolds on sax, and Nate Werth on percussion. 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. Pianist Josh Nelson plays a solo evening at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. 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. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.
Tuesday 6/11 – Jazz Sabbath at Catalina Jazz Club
Jazz Sabbath begins a two-night (Tue-Wed) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Joel Taylor is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The MvA Quintet is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Meghan Murphy is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. The Besos Trio is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Vocalist Keri Kelsey leads an open mic at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. 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 Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Jacob Wendt hosts 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 6/12 – Hunter Bergman at The Grape
Guitarist Hunter Bergman is at The Grape in Ventura with Sasha Berliner on vibes, Luca Alemanno on bass, and Mark Ferber on drums. Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Tristan Cappell is at Sam First near LAX. Jazz Sabbath is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Zak Najor is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Arth Bar & Kitchen in Culver City. 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. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Pianist Michael Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Paul Combs is at Books & Records in San Diego. French vocal group Paris Chansons are at Vibrato in Bel Air.
About & Out - Tom Meek's Weekly Best Bets For Live Jazz In Los Angeles And Across Southern California 