About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of October 14, 2024

October continues with a SoCal jazz week including Jane Monheit, Mike Miller, Randy Brecker, Clarence Penn, Delfeayo Marsalis, Deron Johnson, Mariza, Chris Botti, Will Brahm, Alex Hahn, Ernie Watts, Michael Orenstein, Jay Jennings, and Joey Navarro.

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 10/14 – Graham Dechter/Alex Frank Quartet w/Melissa Morgan at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank are at The Baked Potato in Studio City with vocalist Melissa Morgan, joined by Josh Nelson on keys and Ryan Shaw on drums. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with keyboardist Brian Culbertson. 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. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. 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. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The SMC Jazz Ensemble is at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center.

Tuesday 10/15 – Charged Particles w/Randy Brecker at Vibrato

Trumpeter Randy Brecker is at Vibrato in Bel Air with Charged Particles celebrating the music of Michael Brecker with Murray Low on keys, Aaron Germain on bass, and Jon Krosnick on drums. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Logan Richardson hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Double G’s NineNet is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Deborah Heinzman is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the R Bar 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. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Pianist Derrik Lewis plays a happy hour show at The Tropicale in Palm Springs. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 10/16 – Michael Orenstein at Sam First

Pianist Michael Orenstein is at Sam First near LAX with saxophonists Devin Daniels and Barclay Moffitt, Jonathan Richards on bass, and Reggie Quinerly on drums. Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Sarah McKenzie is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Brazilian vocalist Vanessa Falabella is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Mariza is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Drummer Aaron Serfaty is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Meloney Collins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Blanket Of Clouds is at The Grape in Ventura. 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. Le Bons Garcons are at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads a jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro.

Thursday 10/17 – Rayford Griffin at The Baked Potato

Drummer Rayford Griffin is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Reggie Hamilton on bass, Billy Steinway on keys, and Michael Hunter and Rastine Calhoun III on horns. Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Caleb Wheeler Curtis is at Sam First near LAX. Bassists Mauricio Morales and Jeff Denson split a bill at Artshare LA in downtown Los Angeles. Honey Baby is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Guitarist Jonathan Stout is at Campus Jax in West Hollywood. Pianist Eric Dries is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin with vocalist Lia Booth. Vibroso is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Vocalist Sweet Baby J’ai is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pianist Kamau Kenyatta is at The Merc in Temecula. Spanish guitarist José Antonio Rodriguez is at The Grape in Ventura. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. 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. Pianist Richard Turner, Jr. is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. The West Coast Jazz Duo is at Stella’s in Dana Point. Guitarist David Eastlee is at The George in Pasadena for happy hour. MaQui is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Garners play a late afternoon set at California English in San Diego. Vocalist Kendra Tucker is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego.

Friday 10/18 – Alex Hahn at Sam First

Saxophonist Alex Hahn celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX with Michael Ragonese on piano, Luca Alemanno on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Saxophonist Ernie Watts is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Yafeu Tyhimba and keyboardist Diego Gaeta are at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist John Beasley is at Libretto in Paso Robles for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Pianist Yuko Mabuchi has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Bassist Trevor Ware is at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. Pianist PTAH Williams is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair for thr first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Pianist/vocalist Billy Stritch is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Spanish guitarist José Antonio Rodríguez is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Guitarist Chris Standring is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Farofa is at the El Camino College Campus Theatre in Torrance. JazzZone is at the Jackie Robinson Community Center in Pasadena. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Charlie Chavez & his Afrotruko Salsa Orchestra are at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Bassist Guil Juliao is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with trumpeter Wayne Cobham. 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. Violinist Susie Hansen’s Latin Jazz Band is at Il Gatto in La Habra. The Wise Guys Big Band Machine is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Bill Caballero is at Golden Island in San Diego. The Garners are at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Adam Wolff is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Matt Smith is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego.

Saturday 10/19 – Mike Miller at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Mike Miller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Chad Wackerman on drums. Drummer Clarence Penn plays the music of Michael Brecker at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist David Garfield is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Deron Johnson is at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Vocalist Jane Monheit begins a two-night run at Catalina in Hollywood. Portuguese vocalist Mariza is at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. Pianist John Beasley is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Trumpeter/vocalist Chris Botti is at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts. Moon Hooch is at the Teragram Ballroom in downtown L.A. Percussionist Cyro Baptista is at The Broad Stage in West L.A. Trumpeter Shunzo Ohno is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Pianist PTAH Williams is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Pianist/vocalist Billy Stritch is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Vocalist John Vance is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys are at Boulevard Music in Culver City. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at Books & Records in San Diego. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at Basil Brazil Cuisine in San Juan Capistrano. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. 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 Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist John Opferkuch is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Guitarist Fred Benedetti is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego.

Sunday 10/20 – Jane Monheit at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Jane Monheit is at Catalina in Hollywood for the second of two nights (Sat-Sun) in celebration of a new album release with Max Haymer on piano, Luca Alemanno on bass, Rick Montalbano on drums, and Kevin Winard on percussion. Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis is at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Guitarist Will Brahm is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Bassist Benny Rietveld is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Mark Dresser leads a four-act bill of soloists at Artshare LA in downtown Los Angeles. The Artistocats open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Drummer Jacob Wendt celebrates an album release at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Percussionist Sheila E and saxophonist Candy Dulfer are at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Trumpeter/vocalist Chris Botti is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Guitarist Roberto Restuccia and keyboardist Greg Manning are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Moon Hooch is at the Music Box in San Diego. Trumpeter Shunzo Ohno is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Drummer Christian Moraga is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair.   Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at The York in Highland Park.  Trumpeter/vocalist Bianca Love is at Artbar LA in West L.A.  Trombonist Matt Hall is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  PINKmessiah is at Bar Bandini in Echo Park. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Peet Project is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano 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. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra with vocalist Andrea Miller. 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. 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. Keyboardist/vocalist Freddie Ravel is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Sam Shepherd plays an afternoon jazz brunch at Jack’s in Dana Point. Vocalist Elizabeth Hanagan has the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. 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.

Monday 10/21 – Hadrien Feraud at The Baked Potato

Bassist Hadrien Feraud is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Ruslan Sirota and Chris Fishman on keys, Bob Reynolds on sax, and Gene Coye on drums. Vocalist Meloney Collins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Najee is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Pianist Gary Fukushima is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.  Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with voalist Andrea Miller. 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. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Eddie V’s in San Diego. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.

Tuesday 10/22 – Pan Afrikan People’s Arkestra at 2220 Arts + Archives

The Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra is at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Pianist Paul Cornish hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Bilal is at Lodge Room in Highland Park. Blues guitarist Kirk Fletcher is at the LACM Garage in Pasadena. Pianist George Kahn and vocalist Courtney Lemmon are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. Guitarist/vocalist Ponpon Chen is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. 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. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 10/23 – Sasha’s Bloc Band at Vibrato

Sasha’s Bloc Band featuring vocalists Maiya Sykes and LaVance Collery is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Marco Varela is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Marc Ribot is at Lodge Room in Highland Park. Violinist Jenny Scheinman is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Susan Krebs’ WoRK Quintet is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Janis Mann is at 1881 in Pasadena. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a jam session at The York in Highland Park. 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. Hagen Jazz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Morgan Delaney and guitarist Paul Smith at at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A.  Guitarist Tom Collins is at the Ojai Pub in Ojai.