About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of August 19, 2024

August continues with a SoCal jazz week including Gordon Goodwin, Michael Landau, John Beasley, Gary Novak, Pink Martini, Doug Webb, Luis Conte, Curless, Mayo & Artadi, John Pizzarelli, Ralph Moore, The Stinkfoot Orchestra, Natalie Jacob, and Sunday’s The Scene Volume 4 at The 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 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. The Bakersfield Jazz Orchestra is at the Petroleum Club in Bakersfield. 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. Vocalist Joanna Gerolaga is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads a jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro.

Thursday 8/22 – Michael Landau at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Michael Landau opens a three-night (Thu-Sat) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jorgen Carlsson on bass and Keith Carlock on drums. Drummer Gary Novak plays music from Chick Corea at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Scott Wilkie is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Lianne Marie Dobbs is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Charlie Arbelaez is at Seven Grand SD in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at The Merc in Temecula. The Idiomatiques are at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Guitarist Victor Baker is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego.  Saxophonist Pat Sheng is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach.  Pianist/vocalist Ellis Hall is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at Davina Cucina in La Crescenta-Montrose. 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.  The West Coast Jazz Duo is at Stella’s in Dana Point.  Pianist Brad Bietry is at The George in Pasadena for happy hour. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Dan Olivo is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs.

Friday 8/23 – Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band at Catalina Jazz Club

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band kicks off their 25th Anniversary Tour with two nights (Fri-Sat) of shows at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist John Beasley is at Sam First near LAX. Pink Martini with vocalists China Forbes and Storm Large are at the Hollywood Bowl for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Ralph Moore is at The World Stage in South L.A. The Stinkfoot Orchestra will play the music of Frank Zappa at the Lodge Room in Highland Park with Zappa band alumni Ray White, Arthur Barrow, Bruce Fowler, and Lisa Popeil. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy & System 6 are at LACMA in West L.A. for the free Friday jazz series. Lettuce is at The Novo in downtown L.A.  Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego.  Jazz Attack is at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. The Rocha Collective is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Guitarist Michael O’Neill is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Gregg Karukas is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Saxophonist Dale Fielder is at The Dresden in Los Feliz. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the La Jolla Community Center. Trumpeter John Reynolds is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Ed Spillane is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina. Pianist Yumi Koshima is at Collage in San Pedro. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Aaron Lind is at Panama 66 in San Diego. The Pepper Moons are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist BK Jackson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Bassist Max Gerl 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.

Saturday 8/24 – Pink Martini at The Hollywood Bowl

Pink Martini with vocalists China Forbes and Storm Large are at the Hollywood Bowl.  Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist John Beasley is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist Luis Conte is at Hancock Park in West L.A. for the free Saturday Latin Sounds series. Pianist Mike Garson is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood with vocalist Veronica Swift. Bassist Trevor Ware is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Bassist Ryan Roberts is at Collage in San Pedro. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Dave Scott. Pianist Irving Flores is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. The Wise Guys Big Band Machine is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A.  Saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz is at Puffer’s Of Pismo in Pismo Beach.  Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Books & Records in San Diego. 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 Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Vocalist Jenessa Noland is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. The Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina. Vocalist Tony Grandberry is at the Roost Lounge in Cathedral City.

Sunday 8/25 – The Scene Volume 4 at The Hotel Cafe

The Scene Volume 4 is at The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood featuring bands led by pianist Rachel Eckroth, guitarist Brent Canter, trumpeter Mike Cottone, pianist Sam Barsh, and saxophonist Devin Daniels. Vocalist/flutist Kaylene Peoples is at Catalina in Hollywood – pianist Mahesh Balasooriya opens. Saxophonist Joshua Christian Childress opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A.  Vocalist Heidi Tann and guitarist Nils headline an evening of jazz and R&B at the View Music Bar in Torrance.  Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pink Martini featuring vocalist China Forbes is at The Rady Shell in San Diego.  Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego hosts a gathering of the city’s best bassists including Marshall Hawkins, Rob Thorsen, and Justin Grinnell.  The all-day Gardena Jazz Festival is at Rowley Memorial Park in Gardena and features acts including saxophonist Mindi Abair and vocal group Take 6. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.   Saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz is at the Harmony Cafe in Cambria.  Vietnamese string player Huu Bac Quach plays a late afternoon show at Collage in San Pedro. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Josie James is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Smooth Jazz Alley 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. The Jelly Roll Jazz Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park.  The Hard Bop Ensemble is at The Copper Room in Yucca Valley.  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. Guitarist Matthew Grief has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Garners Trio plays a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Sandy Cummings does a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Drummer Don Littleton does a brunch at My Father’s Barbecue in Carson.

Monday 8/26 – Aaron Janik at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter Aaron Janik is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Gene Coye on drums, Chase Jackson on vibes, Javier Santiago on keys, Max Gerl on bass, and Julian Pollack on keys. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guest guitarist Lee Ritenour. Vocalist Kiki Ebsen’s Joni Mitchell Project 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 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 8/27 – Gerald Clayton Tuesday Happenings at Sam First

Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Irving Flores is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Lizzy & The Triggermen are at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Sweet Baby J’ai is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  The Strada Swing Quartet is at La Puglia in Santa Monica.  Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Guitarist/vocalist Val McCallum is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  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 8/28 – Ella Sophie at Sam First

Vocalist Ella Sophie celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX with Josh Nelson on piano, Alex Frank on bass, and Ryan Shaw on drums. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Katja Rieckermann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.   Native Vibe is at The Grape in Ventura.  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. 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. Le Bons Garcons is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Guitarist Zo Shah is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Casablanca Moroccan Kitchens in West L.A.