About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of August 5, 2024

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Roberta Gambarini, Michael Wolff, Laufey, Gordon Goodwin, Wayne Bergeron & Dave Tull, The Los Angeles Jazz Quartet, Poncho Sanchez, Luis Conte, Devin Daniels, Clayton Cameron, Beth Schenk, Graham Dechter & Alex Frank, and Marlon Martinez.

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 8/5 – Drum Fantasy Camp All-Stars at The Baked Potato

Drummers Chris Coleman, Mike Mangini, and Simon Phillips are at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Hagar Ben Ari on bass, Stu Minderman on keys, Chrissi Poland on vocals, and Vinny Valentino on guitar. Black Market Trust is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna 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 Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Richard Hastings is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Tuesday 8/6 – Wayne Bergeron/Dave Tull Sextet at Bistango

Trumpeter Wayne Bergeron and drummer/vocalist Dave Tull lead a sextet at Bistango in Irvine. Guitarist Graham Decher and bassist Alex Frank lead a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Marlon Martinez’s Marlonious Jazz Orchestra is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Norah Jones is at The Rady Shell in San Diego. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Devin Daniels is at The Townhouse in Venice. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. M-Pact is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. 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 Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Adam Moezinia is at the Petroleum Club in Bakersfield. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 8/7 – Laufey at the Hollywood Bowl

Vocalist Laufey is at the Hollywood Bowl with the LA Phil. The Buddy Rich Big Band Machine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Mackenzie Leighton is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a jam session at The York in Highland Park. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Vocalist Josie LaValle is at Books & Records in San Diego. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Trombonist John Egizi leads a jazz jam at A Twist On Main in Ventura.

Thursday 8/8 – Michael Wolff at Sam First

Pianist Michael Wolff is at Sam First near LAX with Edwin Livingston on bass and Joe La Barbera on drums. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Saxophonist Beth Schenk is at the Hammer Museum in Westwood. Pianist Gregg Karukas is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vibroso is at Catalina in Hollywood. Harpist Brandee Younger is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Drummer Matt Gordy is at The Merc in Temecula.  Drummer Jake Reed is at The York in Highland Park.  Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Teka will be at Descanso Gardens in La Canada-Flintridge. Bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams is at the Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Eva & The Vagabond Tales are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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. 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. Pianist Brad Bietry is at The George in Pasadena for happy hour. Vocalist Terrell Edwards is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski does an afternoon set at California English in San Diego.

Friday 8/9 – Roberta Gambarini at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Roberta Gambarini opens a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood with Tamir Hendelman on piano, Chuck Berghofer on bass, and Joe La Barbera on drums. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Venice West in Venice. Percussionist Luis Conte is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Devin Daniels celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Drummer Clayton Cameron has the free Friday jazz series show at LACMA in West L.A. Vocalist Seal is at The Hollywood Bowl. Vocalist Lady Blackbird is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Postmodern Jukebox is at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside. Latin guitarist John Villalobos is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. The Reductions are at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano is at Libretto in Paso Robles.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  The three-day (Fri-Sun) Long Beach Jazz Festival kicks off at Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Erin Stevenson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Sue Palmer is at The Old Globe at Balboa Park in San Diego. Vocalist Veronique Forget 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. The Sunny Blue Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Vocalist Vi Jordan is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Ed Kornhauser is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Vocalist Sandy Cummings is at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang.

Saturday 8/10 – Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band at The Grape

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Roberta Gambarini is at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Devin Daniels celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Joshua White plays music from Mary Lou Williams at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Pianist Josh Nelson is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Paris Red is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Violinist Benny Brydern is at Boulevard Music in Culver City. Pianist Brian Simpson does an early afternoon show at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, followed by an evening performance from pianist Althea Waites with vocalist Melanie Taylor.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  The Aristocats are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Andrea Lisa celebrates an album release at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Irving Flores is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Amanda Portela. Pianist Adam Wolff is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. The Alpha Rhythm Kings are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Debra Watson & The Smokin’ Aces are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Nobresil has the free Saturday Latin Sounds show at Hancock Park in West L.A. The Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina.

Sunday 8/11 – Los Angeles Jazz Quartet at The Baked Potato

The Los Angeles Jazz Quartet is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Chuck Manning on sax, Larry Koonse on guitar, Darek Oles on bass, and Jason Harnell on drums. Quarteto Nuevo does an early afternoon show at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach, followed by an evening performance from . vocalist Anne Walsh and pianist Tom Zink. The Los Angeles All-Star Mambo Orchestra is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianists Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi are at the Norris Pavilion in Rolling Hills Estates. Trombonists Eric Hughes and Ivan Malespin open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  Postmodern Jukebox is at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai.  Bassist Rob Thorsen is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Guitarist Adam Hawley is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Un Poco Loco Quintet is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Leonard Patton and pianist Kat Shoemaker play the music of Tony Bennett and Bill Evans at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego.  Drummer Angelo Velasquez is at The York in Highland Park.  Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Richard Hastings is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. 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. Drummer Tom Dante has a brunch show at Mozambique in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Michael Orenstein has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski does a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego. Saxophonist Jeff Pifher leads a student jazz ensemble at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Pianist Debbie Denke leads an afternoon jazz jam at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 8/12 – Pete Griffin’s Lab Rats at The Baked Potato

Bassist Pete Griffin is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Chad Wackerman on drums, Isamu McGregor on keys, and Jamie Kime on guitar. 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. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 8/13 – 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 piano, Rene Camacho on bass, and Christian Moraga on percussion. Pianist Paul Cornish 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. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Vocalist Tim Hockenberry is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Slim Man is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. 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. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 8/14 – Herbie Hancock Headhunters 50th Anniversary at the Hollywood Bowl

Keyboardist Herbie Hancock celebrates the 50th anniversary of his iconic Headhunters album with a special performance at the Hollywood Bowl featuring Harvey Mason on drums, Bennie Maupin on sax, Bill Summers on percussion, Marcus Miller on bass, and Terence Blanchard on trumpet. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Maurcio Morales is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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 Jenessa Noland is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Zak Najor is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego.