About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of July 22, 2024

July winds down with a SoCal jazz week including Bria Skonberg, Oscar Hernandez, Chad Wackerman, Poncho Sanchez, Brian Bromberg, Calabria Foti & Kenny Washington, Judy Wexler, Jay Jennings, Alex Johnson, Brian Charette, Groove Legacy, Richard Grant, Seth MacFarlane, and Kristina Aglinz.

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 7/22 – Judy Wexler at The Baked Potato

Vocalist Judy Wexler is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jeff Colella on keys, Chris Colangelo on bass, Larry Koonse on guitar, and Kendall Kay on drums. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at Zebulon in Silverlake. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 7/23 – Calabria Foti & Kenny Washington at Bistango

Vocalists Calabria Foti and Kenny Washington are at Bistango in Irvine backed by a trio led by pianist Josh Nelson. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter/vocalist Chris Norton is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Quarteto Nuevo is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Charlie Arbelaez is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Pianist Brenda Greggio leads a tribute to Joe Henderson at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. The RMS Trio is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Trumpeter Nate Birkey is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Arth Bar & Kitchen in Culver City. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. 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 Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. Bassist Glen Fisher leads a jazz jam at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego.

Wednesday 7/24 – Alex Johnson Plays Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers at Catalina Jazz Club

Saxophonist Alex Johnson leads a tribute to Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers at Catalina in Hollywood with Otmaro Ruiz on piano, Nolan Shaheed on trumpet, Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums, and Jeff Littleton on bass. Organist Brian Charette is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at The Grape in Ventura. The Greyboy All-Stars are at Venice West in Venice for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Guitarist/vocalist Rafael Moreira is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vibraphonist Anthony Smith is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Kaylee Daughterty is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Drummer Aaron Serfaty is at 1881 in Pasadena. Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a jam session at The York in Highland Park. 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 Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  San Lyon is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Thursday 7/25 – Brian Bromberg at Campus Jax

Bassist Brian Bromberg plays the music of Scott LaFaro at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with Tom Zink on piano and Charles Ruggerio on drums. Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane and his Chamber Group are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Tim Rachbach is at Sam First near LAX. The Baylor Project is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Vocalist Claude Hall sings a tribute to Nina Simone at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs.  The Greyboy All-Stars are at Venice West in Venice. Bassist Bruce Lett is at The Merc in Temecula. Organist Gregg Karukas is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Melissa Morgan is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Spencer Day is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Maggie Robertson is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. The JazzZone Trio is at the African American Advisory Alliance in Pomona. Eva & The Vagabond Tales are at The Muck in Fullerton.  Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at Semi Tropic Wines in Costa Mesa.  Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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. Guitarist David Marcus is at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. 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. Bassist Rob Thorsen is at Jack & Giulio’s in San Diego.   Saxophonist Danny Gonzalez is at Books & Records in San Diego.

Friday 7/26 – Bria Skonberg at The Sun Rose

Trumpeter/vocalist Bria Skonberg is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Drummer Chad Wackerman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Chaka Khan is at the Hollywood Bowl with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra – Vocalist Masego opens. Trumpeter Dr. Richard Grant is at The World Stage in South L.A. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Bruns & Baché have the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero offers a tribute to Chuck Mangione at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov celebrates a CD release at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Sherry Williams is at the La Jolla Community Center.   Blanco Diablo is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Sam Ross is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Bassist Steve Billman is at the Eagle Rock Community Church in Eagle Rock. Drummer Andrew Yanes and VillaphoniX split a bill at Collage in San Pedro. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Kaylee Daughterty is at The Old Globe at Balboa Park in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego.  Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Louie Valenzuela is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. The Sunny Blue Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers offers a tribute to Frank Sinatra for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Guitarist Suren Arustamyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Tasha Taylor is at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Saturday 7/27 – Oscar Hernandez & Alma Libre at Sam First

Pianist Oscar Hernandez & Alma Libre are at Sam First near LAX with Frank Fontaine on sax, Rene Camacho on bass, Andy Sanesi on drums, and Christian Moraga on percussion. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez has the early show at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, followed by an evening performance from pianist Scott Wilkie. Saxophonist Charles McPherson is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Michael Feinstein is with the Pasadena Pops at LA County Arboretum in Arcadia. Vocalist Nita Whitaker is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Candi Sosa has the free Saturday Latin Sounds show at Hancock Park in West L.A. Vocalist Lady Blackbird is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Vocalist Lisa Donahey is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza is at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Blues guitarist Kirk Fletcher is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina. Saxophonist Kim Waters is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Daneen Wilburn. Vocalist Ava Dupree is at The Roost Lounge in Cathedral City. Saxophonist Richard Elliott and trumpeter Rick Braun are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Howie Levine’s “JazzNatra” is at Hawg Heaven BBQ and Gastropub in Pasadena. 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 Douglas Roegiers is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist/vocalist Phillip Sayce is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Sunday 7/28 – Kristina Aglinz at The Baked Potato

Vocalist Kristina Aglinz is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Carnell Harrell on keys, Frank Fluker on drums, Eric England on bass, and Ricky Z on guitar. The Jazz Bakers open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  Guitarist Will Brahm is at The Stowaway in downtown L.A.  Pianist Joe Rozum is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Lia Booth is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at the Solvang Festival Theater with saxophonist Eric Marienthal. Trumpeter John Reynolds is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Jerome Pittman is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Alligator Beach is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Keyboardist Patrick Bradley is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Erisa Nicole is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at the Kookaburra Lounge in Hollywood. 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 Allen Takatsuka is at the Zinc Bar in Laguna Beach. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts the Rose Gales Vocal Jam Session. Keyboardist Veritus Miller leads a late afternoon jam session at ORA in South L.A. 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. Little Brazil is at the Playhouse Village Park in Pasadena. Todd & The Brazilians have the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Drummer Tom Dante plays a brunch at Mozambique in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Sam Shepherd plays an afternoon jazz brunch at Jack’s in Dana Point. Saxophonist Nick Gomez has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Saxophonist Gerard Nolan does a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Sandy Cummings is at SOhO in Santa Barbara for Sunday brunch.

Monday 7/29 – Dave Harrington & Dolphin Hyperspace at Zebulon

Guitarist Dave Harrington celebrates an album release at Zebulon in Silverlake – Dolphin Hyperspace opens. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guest saxophonist Grace Kelly. Vocalist Sara Gazarek is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Phatback, Earl & Me is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Richard Hastings is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Pianist Michael Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 7/30 – Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band at the Redlands Bowl

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at the Redlands Bowl in Redlands. Drummer Andy Prado is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Sara Gazarek is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento celebrates an album release at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Drummer Evan Stone is at La Puglia in Santa Monica with vocalist Lia Booth. Guitarist Giacomo Turra is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Vocalist Hailey Reinhart is at The Music Box in Solana Beach. Violinist Yale Strom is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. 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. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 7/31 – Hailey Niswanger at 2220 Arts + Archives

Saxophonist Hailey Niswanger celebrates an album release at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A.   Drummer Paul Peress is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Chad Edwards is at Vibrato in Bel Air.   Saxophonist Pedro Valiente is at Sam First near LAX.   Irreversible Entanglements is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park.   Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at Project Barley Square in Torrance.   Les Bons Garcons is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a jam session at The York in Highland Park.  Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Michael Peed 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.  Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Books & Records in San Diego.