About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of October 28, 2024

October ends and November opens with a SoCal jazz week including John Clayton, Banned From Utopia, Simon Phillips, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, The Hollywood Jazz Orchestra, Danny Janklow, Vardan Ovsepian, Andy Prado, Sammy Miller, Ben Williams, and Saturday’s Venice Beach AZZ-IS Rebel Jazz Fest.

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 10/28 – Andy Prado at The Baked Potato

Drummer Andy Prado is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Aaron Janik on trumpet, Phillip Whack on sax, Hadrien Feraud on bass, Cole Riddle on keys, Colin Cook on guitar, and Ollie Lopez on percussion. Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom is at the Saddleback College Studio Theatre in Mission Viejo. Bassoonist Sara Schoenbeck and pianist Wayne Horvitz are at USCD’s The Loft in San Diego. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Anthony Bernasconi sings the music of Michael Buble at Spaghettini in Seal 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. 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. The M.O.B. Jazz Quintet is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 10/29 – 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 Alex Johnson on saxes, Lemar Guillary on trombone, Adam Ledbetter on piano, Rene Camacho on bass, and Christian Moraga on percussion. Vibraphonist Sasha Berliner hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Mike Bolger is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Elaine Gibbs is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Bassist Doug Walker is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. St. Paul & The Minneapolis Funk All-Stars are at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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 10/30 – Simon Phillips at The Grape

Drummer Simon Phillips is at The Grape in Ventura with Steve Weingart on keys, Marlon Martinez on bass, Jacob Scesney on sax, Will Artope on trumpet, and Ryan Dragon on trombone. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian is at Sam First near LAX. Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood hosts a Halloween-themed event with tribute shows to the Buena Vista Social Club and Dizzy Gillespie. Banned From Utopia is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Quinn Johnson is at 1881 in Pasadena. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. 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. The Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Eve Elliot is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Drummer Kassa Overall is at UCSD’s The Loft in San Diego. French vocal group Paris Chansons are at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Thursday 10/31 – Banned From Utopia at The Baked Potato

Banned From Utopia plays the second of a three-night (Wed-Fri) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City playing the music of Frank Zappa with Mike Miller and Jamie Kime on guitars, Ray White on vocals, Robert Martin on keys, sax and vocals, Scott Thunes on bass, and Chad Wackerman on drums. Percussionist Richie Gajate Garcia is at Camila’s Jazz Lounge in Montclair. Guitarist Pritesh Walia celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Maiya Sykes does a Halloween-themed evening at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Elena Gilliam is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Canadian vocalist Emile-Claire Barlow is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Lizzy & The Triggermen are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Guitarist Tomas Janzon is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Four and More are at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. 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. The Fresh Veggies Micro Brass is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski does a late afternoon show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 11/1 – John Clayton at Sam First

Bassist John Clayton is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with a series of duets featuring saxophonist Jacob Scesney and guitarist Andrew Renfroe. Banned From Utopia is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Sammy Miller & The Congregation are at the Scherr Forum in Thousand Oaks. Guitarist Dave Martinez is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm Band are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Leon Mobley & The Lion are at The World Stage in South L.A. Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair hosts A Tribute To Buena Vista Social Club.  Saxophonist Alison Shearer is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Robin Adler and pianist Barnaby Finch. 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. Keyboardist Dave Palmer is at The Stowaway in downtown L.A. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Keyboardist Anthony Smith is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Kaylee Daughtery is at Books & Records in San Diego. The Artist Collective is at Dizzy’s in San Diego.

Saturday 11/2 – Hollywood Jazz Orchestra at Alvas Showroom

The Hollywood Jazz Orchestra is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro with members including Justo Almario, Ann Patterson, Anne King, Rene Camacho, and Clayton Cameron.  Keyboardist Mitchel Forman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist John Clayton is at Sam First near LAX in duets with pianist Billy Childs and saxophonist Alex Hahn. The all-day AZZ-IS Rebel Jazz Fest is at Venice Pavilion Park in Venice Beach and includes performances from Mark de Clive-Lowe, Teodross Avery, Randal Fisher, Dwight Trible and more. Bassist Ben Williams is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Keyboardist Rique Pantoja is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Marcelo Bucater is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in South Pasadena. Guitarists Bruce Forman and Pat Bergeson are at Boulevard Music in Culver City. Drummer Sammy Miller & The Congregation are at The Conrad in La Jolla. Pianist Joshua White is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. The Phoenyx Big Band is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Patrisha Thomson is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Trombonist Joshua Brown is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Michael Paulo is at Camila’s Jazz Lounge in Montclair. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts.  Bassist Julian Vaughan is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vibraphonist Ian Harland is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at Basil Brazil Cuisine in San Juan Capistrano. The Jazztown Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. 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. The L.A. Swing Barons are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 are at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.  Jazzy Ash & The Leaping Lizards are at the Segerstrom Samueli Theatre in Costa Mesa for an afternoon show.

Sunday 11/3 – Danny Janklow at The G Spot

Saxophonist Danny Janklow plays a G Spot house concert in Highland Park with Luca Mendoza on piano, Jermaine Paul on bass, Jonathan Pinson on drums, and Katherine Ella Wood on vocals. Drummer Eric Ching leads a group at the Eastwood Performing Arts Center in Hollywood featuring vocalist Morgan Delaney.  The Cannonball-Coltrane Project is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Pianist Miro Sprague is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.  Vocalist John O’Hurley is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Keyboardist Burt Brion is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. PINKmessiah is at Bar Bandini in Echo Park. Blues guitarist/vocalist Dennis Jones is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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.   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. Guitarist Sam Shepherd plays an afternoon jazz brunch at Jack’s in Dana Point. Vocalist Linda A. Smith celebrates a birthday with the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. 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.  Vocalist Lia Booth does a brunch at Camila’s Jazz Lounge in Montclair.  Jazzy Ash & The Leaping Lizards are at the Segerstrom Samueli Theatre in Costa Mesa for a pair of afternoon shows.

Monday 11/4 – Graham Dechter/Alex Frank Quartet w/Larry Goldings at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City with guest organist Larry Goldings.   Pianist Matt Politano is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.  Pianist Joe Alterman is at Libretto in Paso Robles. 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.  Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. The SBCC Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 11/5 – Jens Lindemann w/Wayne Bergeron at Vibrato

Trumpeter Jens Lindemann is at Vibrato in Bel Air with a band including guest trumpeter Wayne Bergeron. Trumpeter Aaron Janik is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Drummer Jonathan Pinson hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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 11/6 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Pedro Martins on guitar, Francisco Fattoruso on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Dummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Nicolas Bearde is at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Jake Leckie is at The Stowaway in downtown L.A. Jim Caruso’s Cast Party with pianist Billy Stritch is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trombonist John Egizi hosts the 805 Jazz Jam at A Twist On Main in Ventura. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.