About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of September 2, 2024

September opens with a SoCal jazz week including Jazzmeia Horn, Peter Erskine, The Pacific Jazz Orchestra, Oz Noy, Ben Williams, Chris Botti, Pete Escovedo, Diana Purim, Benjamin Ring, The Messthetics, Trombone Shorty, Scott Kinsey, Graham Dechter, and Joe-Less Shoe.

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 9/2 – Graham Dechter/Alex Frank Quartet at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City including Jordan Siegel on keys and Ryan Shaw on drums. 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.

Tuesday 9/3 – Gerald Clayton Tuesday Happenings at Sam First

Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. The Fresh Mint Pharaohs are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Richard Hastings is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Bayou Degradable is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Cookies are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist/vocalist Ponpon Chen is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Derrik Lewis plays a happy hour show at The Tropicale in Palm Springs. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 9/4 – Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at the Hollywood Bowl

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are at the Hollywood Bowl. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Logan Kane is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter/vocalist Byron Stripling and organist Bobby Floyd are at Bistango in Irvine. Accordionist Corey Pesaturo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach.  Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra.  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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura.

Thursday 9/5 – Danny Janklow at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Danny Janklow plays music from John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Dan Stein on bass, and Kyle Poole on drums. Drummer Benjamin Ring celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Jimmy McConnell’s Big Band is at Catalina in Hollywood. The San Diego Jazz Orchestra is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Phat Cat Swinger is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Trombonist Joey Sellers is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist Antonio Artese is at The Grape in Ventura. Comedian/vocalist John Lovitz is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams is at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Lizzy & Her Contraband are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline 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. 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. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The Live Hotel in downtown L.A.

Friday 9/6 – Peter Erskine at LACMA

Drummer Peter Erskine has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. with Darek Oles on bass and Alan Pasqua on piano. Guitarist Oz Noy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Bassist Ben Williams is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Percussionist Pete Escovedo & Family are at the newly-opened Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Diana Purim & Eyedentity are at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. The Messthetics with saxophonist James Brandon Lewis are at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are at The Rady Shell in San Diego. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Percussionist Paris Escovedo is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. Vocalist Meghan Murphy is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trombonist Joshua Brown is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Bassist Julian Esparza is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Jeff Robinson is at The World Stage in South L.A.   Organist Brian Charette 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. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Whitney Shay is at Golden Island in San Diego.

Saturday 9/7 – Jazzmeia Horn at the Moss Theater

Vocalist Jazzmeia Horn is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica with Miles Lennox on piano, Destiny Diggs on bass, and Jaz Sawyer on drums. The Pacific Jazz Orchestra is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine with guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli and vocalist Sy Smith. Bassist Ben Williams is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Oz Noy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Second Annual Barbara Morrison Jazz & Blues Festival is at Leimert Park Plaza in South L.A. with artists including vocalists Dwight Trible and Eloise Laws. Percussionist Pete Escovedo & Family are at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Trumpeter/vocalist Chris Botti is at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Pianist Josh Nelson, pianist/vocalist John Proulx, and vocalist Angie Wells offer an afternoon tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker at the San Bernardino Valley College Auditorium. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego.  Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Guitarist Greg Poree is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre.  Sonic Rooster is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist David Burnham is at Catalina in Hollywood.  The Baker Brothers Jazz Octet is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.  Pianist Melonie Grinnell and bassist Justin Grinnell are at Books & Records in San Diego.  Saxophonist Michael Paulo is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Trumpeter Emmanuel Borboa plays the music of Freddie Hubbard at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vibraphonist Ian Harland is at Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Pianist George Kahn is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano with vocalist Dave Scott.  Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Vocalist Ed Romero is 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. The Moontones are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Sunday 9/8 – Chris Botti at the Newport Beach Hyatt Regency

Trumpeter/vocalist Chris Botti is at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Joe-Less Shoe is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Nita Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Bassist/vocalist Kristin Korb is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Vocalist Andrea Miller fronts a sextet led by trumpeter Tony Guerrero at the Norris Pavilion in Rolling Hills Estates. Saxophonist Joshua Christian Childress opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre.   Pianist John Tesh is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Saxophonist Tom Braxton and trumpeter Ilya Serov are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Patrick Yandall and vocalist Rebecca Jade are at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego.  Vocalist Richard Cortez is at Catalina in Hollywood.  Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Saxophonist JB Saxx is at Lou Lou’s 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. Vocalist Beth Rohde leads a jam session at Barsha in Hermosa Beach.  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. Saxophonist Matt Otto and trumpeter Josh Welchez have the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Shawn Thies does a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 9/9 – Blanco Diablo at The Baked Potato

Blanco Diablo is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Frank Fontaine on sax, Jamie Kime on guitar, Brian Charette on keys, Dave Goodwin on bass, Fausto Cuevas on percussion, and Andy Sanesi on drums.  Campus Jax in Newport Beach hosts a memorial tribute for the late pianist Llew Matthews, led by trumpeter Tony Guerrero.  Guitarist Scotty Bramer and keyboardist Aaron Provisor at Yogalution in Redondo Beach.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. 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. Guitarist Richard Hastings is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 9/10 – Terrace Martin at Verse LA

Saxophonist Terrace Martin is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake. The Jazz Bakers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Flutist Lori Bell is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Drummer Justin Brown hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Dave Harrington is at Zebulon in Silverlake. The Sultans Of Swing are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. 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 9/11 – Christian McBride & The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra Jazz On Tap

Bassist Christian McBride and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra are joined by tap dancers Savion Glover and Dulé Hill at the Hollywood Bowl for a night entitled “Jazz On Tap”. Drummer Charles Ruggerio is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist/vocalist Kristin Korb is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Myron McKinley is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Pedro Martins and trumpeter Peter Evans share a bill at Zebulon in Silverlake. Percussionist Tito Puente, Jr. is at Venice West in Venice.   Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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 Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra.  Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla.  The Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana.  Vocalist Lisa Andrea Torres and pianist Sandro Rebel are at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A.