SoCal jazz highlights this week include Herbie Hancock, Alphonso Johnson, George Benson, Gregory Porter, John Pizzarelli, Clay Jenkins, Lizz Wright, Dan Rosenboom, Youngjoo Song, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Scott Kinsey, Bernie Dresel, and Gary Meek. 
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 8/12 – 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 Christian Moraga is at 1881 in Pasadena. Postmodern Jukebox is at the City Grove Of Anaheim. Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a jam session at The York in Highland Park. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. 
Thursday 8/15 – Dan Rosenboom at the Hammer Museum
Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom’s Polarity Quintet is at the Hammer Museum in Westwood with Gavin Templeton on sax, John Escreet on piano, Richard Giddens on bass, and Damion Reid on drums. Korean pianist Youngjoo Song is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist Ronnie Gutierrez is at the LACM Garage in Pasadena. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Bassist Nathan East and his son Noah East (keyboards) are at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Bassist Jake Leckie debuts an album at Healing Force Of The Universe in Pasadena. Pianist Dan Tepfer is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Saxophonist Alex Hahn is at The Merc in Temecula. Singing impressionist Bob Anderson is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Lauren Wild is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero leads a reunion for former clubs Cafe Lido and Kikuya at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Ginger Collins is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Larry O. Williams is at the Original Farmers Market in West L.A. Pianist Anthony Smith is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Santino Sgambelluri. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar 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. 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.
Friday 8/16 – Alphonso Johnson Allstars at The Baked Potato
Bassist Alphonso Johnson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Simon Phillips on drums, Christian Hebel on violin, Javier Santiago on keys, Alex Sill on guitar, and Taku Hirano on percussion. Trumpeter Clay Jenkins is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Joshua White is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane fronts a chamber orchestra at Vibrato in Bel Air. 6 Beats Apart has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Pianist Geoge Kahn is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Mike Garson is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Eric Ching is at Barsha in Hermosa Beach. The Rocha Collective is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Pianist Brenda Greggio is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at The Old Globe at Balboa Park in San Diego. Valentine Byrne & Ten Bulls are at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Guitarist Louie Valenzuela is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Organist Gregg Karukas 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. Phat Cat Swinger is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Adam Wolff is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. The Swinging G’s are at Golden Island in San Diego.
Saturday 8/17 – John Pizzarelli at Catalina Jazz Club
Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is at Catalina in Hollywood for the second of three nights (Fri-Sun). Trumpeter Clay Jenkins is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos leads a group plyaing the music of Miles Davis’ “Kind Of Blue” at The Rady Shell in San Diego. Bassist Alphonso Johnson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Dolores Scozzesi is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Guitarist Jonathan Stout & His Campus Five are at The Grape in Ventura. Brazilian vocalist Claudia Villela and guitarist Romero Lumbambo are at Bread & Salt in San Diego. Vocalist/guitarist Teka is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Saxophonist Ed Spillane is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 are at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at Alchemy Craft in Montebello. Incendio is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Melonie Grinnell and bassist Justin Grinnell are at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Joshua White is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego with vocalist Leonard Patton. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills 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. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. Tino Productions is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca have the free Saturday Latin Sounds show at Hancock Park in West L.A. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist John Opferkuf is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Ava Dupree is at The Roost Lounge in Cathedral City. The Yorba Linda Arts Alliance Foundation presents a morning jazz and Q&A session featuring the Ron Kobayashi Trio and more in Yorba Linda.
Sunday 8/18 – Smooth Summer Jazz at the Hollywood Bowl
Guitarists/vocalist George Benson leads a bill at the Hollywood Bowl which includes vocalists Gregory Porter and Lizz Wright. Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Gary Meek is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Kei Akagi is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Vocal group The Bean Tones open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Leslie Page is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with pianist Tommy Gannon.. Bassist Ken Okoda is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Bassist Brian Bromberg, guitarist Paul Brown, and saxophonist Michael Paulo are at the South Coast Winery in Temecula. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at The York in Highland Park. The Neighborhood Orchestra is at Plummer Park in West L.A. Saxophonist Marcus Anderson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Trombonist Matt Hall is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Trombonist David Farley is at Collage in San Pedro. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Vocalist Rachel Lee Sanders is at the Jazz Lounge 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. The Jelly Roll Jazz Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Vocalists Cheryl Barnes and Teryn Re’ have the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. 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. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Blues guitarist/vocalist Dennis Jones at The Baked Potato in Studio City.
Monday 8/19 – Poncho Sanchez at Spaghettini
Percussionist/vocalist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Keyboardist Sam Glaser is at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Veritus Miller is at The World Stage in South L.A. 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. The Baked Potato in Studio City hosts a six-act Showcase Night.
Tuesday 8/20 – Doug Webb at The Baked Potato
Saxophonist Doug Webb begins a two night (Tue-Wed) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with drummer Danny Carey (of Tool), Mitchel Forman on keys, Jamie Kime on guitar, and Jimmy Earl on bass. Trist Curless, Michael Mayo and Genevieve Artadi sing Lambert, Hendricks & Ross at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is at Bistango in Irvine for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed). Flutist Nicole Mitchell is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Joshua White is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Vocalist Elaine Gibbs is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Farofa is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist/vocalist Angelo Metz is at TRiP in Santa Monica. 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. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.
Wednesday 8/21 – Natalie Jacob at Catalina Jazz Club
Vocalist Natalie Jacob celebrates an album release at Catalina in Hollywood, backed by Tamir Hendelman on piano, Scotty Barnhart on trumpet, Larry Koonse on guitar, Trevor Ware on bass, Clayton Cameron on drums, and Kevin Winard on percussion. . Drummer Marco Carelli is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is at Bistango in Irvine. Guitarist/vocalist Gary Clark, Jr. is at the Hollywood Bowl. Vocalist/pianist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Kay-Ta Matsuno is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Pianist Anthony Smith is at Books & Records in San Diego. 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. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads a jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro.
About & Out - Tom Meek's Weekly Best Bets For Live Jazz In Los Angeles And Across Southern California 