About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of June 17, 2024

Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias headlines a SoCal jazz week including Soft Machine, Remy Le Boeuf, Bernie Dresel, Justo Almario, Ron King, Henry Hey, Clayton Cameron, Chris Wabich, and Paul McCallum, along with Thursday’s Baked Potato Benefit For Joey Heredia and Sunday’s The Scene Volume 3 at Hotel Cafe.

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 6/17 – Buzz Wizards at The Baked Potato

Buzz Wizards are at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Toshi Yanagi on guitar, Steve Ferrone on drums, Fred Kron on keys, Jorgen Carlsson on bass, and Mimi Carlsson on vocals. Pianist Paul Cornish is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. 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 6/18 – Henry Hey at Sam First

Pianist Henry Hey is at Sam First near LAX with Logan Kane on bass and Mark Ferber on drums. Pianist Joshua White is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Trumpeter/vocalist Chris Norton is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Natalie Jacob opens for vibraphonist Andy Applegate at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Flutist Lori Bell is at the Saville Theatre in San Diego. Vocalist Jerry Costanzo and his Gotham City Swingers are at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band with vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. Blues harmonica player Chef Dave Rozier is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Wednesday 6/19 – Ron King Big Band at Vibrato

Trumpeter Ron King leads a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air with guest guitarist Paul Brown. Drummer Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band are at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Drummer Charles Ruggerio is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Miles Lennox is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Quinn Johnson is at 1881 in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Drummer Adam Clark is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist John Papadakis is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. 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. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads an open jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro. Vocalist Joanna Gerolaga is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Trombonist John Egizi leads a new jazz jam at A Twist On Main in Ventura. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Thursday 6/20 – Joey Heredia All-Star Benefit at The Baked Potato

The Baked Potato in Studio City hosts an all-star benefit for drummer Joey Heredia with dozens of area jazz and Latin stars performing. Brazilian pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of four nights (Thu-Sun). Bassist Emiliano Lasansky is at Sam First near LAX for an album release show. The Stinkfoot Orchestra plays music from Frank Zappa at Venice West in Venice. Pianist Brian Clemens leads a big band at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim. Soft Machine is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Nick Gomez is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Bassist Rob Thorsen is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Chuck Johnson is at The Merc in Temecula. JazzZone plays an afternoon show at The Arboretum in Arcadia. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. Pianist/vocalist Valentina Shelton is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Ed Kornhauser is at Books & Records in San Diego. The Besos Trio is at Madam Bonnie’s in San Diego. Strada Swing is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. 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 6/21 – Eliane Elias at Catalina Jazz Club

Brazilian pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias is at Catalina in Hollywood. Soft Machine is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Saxophonist Justo Almario is at The World Stage in South L.A. Saxophonist Remy Le Boeuf leads his “Assembly Of Shadows” big band at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Drummer/percussionist Chris Wabich has a solo show for Grand Performances at California Plaza in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Devin Daniels has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Vocalist Maria Puga Lareo is at Libretto in Paso Robles with saxophonist Bob Sheppard. Saxophonist Josh Johnson is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Bassist Rob Thorsen is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Ed Roth is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Melonie Grinnell and bassist Richard Grinnell are at Golden Island in San Diego. Saxophonist Paul Combs is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist Paul Baker is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina. 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 Sherry Williams. The Garners Trio is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Lisa Andrea Torres is at Sorriso Bar Celona in Pasadena.

Saturday 6/22 – Soft Machine at The Baked Potato

Soft Machine is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the second of two nights with John Etheridge on guitar, Theo Travis on sax/flute/keys, Fred Baker on bass, and Asif Sirkis on drums.  Drummer Max Roach is celebrated with a multi-act show for Grand Performances at California Plaza in downtown L.A.  Brazilian pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Remy Le Boeuf leads his “Assembly Of Shadows” big band at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Paul McCallum is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer Clayton Cameron does an early afternoon set at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach. Pianist Max Haymer is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul celebrate an album release at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkoich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Sarah Ingraham. The San Diego Latin Jazz Collective is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. The two-day (Sat-Sun) San Diego Smooth Jazz festival begins at the Rady Shell in San Diego. The Alpha Rhythm Kings are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Irving Flores is at Books & Records in San Diego. Saxophonist Paul Combs is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Saxophonist Dale Fielder is at The Dresden in Los Feliz. 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. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Garners Trio is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego.

Sunday 6/23 – The Scene Volume 3 at Hotel Cafe

The Scene returns to the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood with bands led by Julian Pollack, Nicole McCabe, Dennis Hamm, Brent Canter and Sam Barsh. Brazilian pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias is at Catalina in Hollywood. Trombonist Josh Brown opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  Pianist Sam Hirsh is at the Kookaburra Lounge in Hollywood.  Black Market Trust plays a late afternoon show at the Norris Pavilion in Rolling Hills Estates. Vocalist/pianist Tim Hockenberry is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi.  Pianist Jacob Mann plays a solo evening at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.  Bassist Darryl Williams celebrates an album release at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The San Diego Smooth Jazz festival is at the Rady Shell in San Diego. Guitarist Steph Johnson is at Tio Leo’s 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. 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/flutist Cobby Brzeski does a brunch at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty does a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego. Keyboardist Veritus Miller hosts a late afternoon jam session at ORA Leimert Park in South L.A. Vocalist Sandy Cummings does a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Blues guitarist/vocalist Dennis Jones is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Monday 6/24 – 100th Birthday Of Henry Mancini at the Grammy Museum

Daughter Monica Mancini celebrates the 100th birthday of her father Henry Mancini at the Grammy Museum in downtown L.A. with a band including saxophonist Dave Koz. Galactic Booty Kompany is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Martini In The Morning celebrates “Mother Miriam’s” 86th birthday performance with a variety of special guests at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonists Eric Marienthal and Richard Elliott are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long 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. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 6/25 – Derek Frank at The Baked Potato

Bassist Derek Frank is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Carey Frank on keys, Andrew Synowiec on guitar, Matt Hankle on drums, and Damian Arriaga on percussion. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Dave Damiani is at Bistango in Irvine. Trombonist Matt Hall is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. 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. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Cookies are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. Bassist Glen Fisher leads a jazz jam at Humphrey’s Backstage.

Wednesday 6/26 – Oscar Hernandez & Alma Libre at Catalina Jazz Club

Pianist Oscar Hernandez & Alma Libre celebrate a CD release at Catalina in Hollywood. Basic Cable is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jeff Babko on keys and Zach Danziger on drums. Argentinian drummer Guillermo Nojechowicz is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Spencer Day is at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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. Bassist Antar Martin is at Books & Records in San Diego.