About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of November 25, 2024

November closes with a SoCal jazz week featuring Roy McCurdy, Doug Webb & David Binney, Jeff Lorber, Joe La Barbera, Jimmy Branly, David Benoit, Teryn Re’, Blanco Diablo, Pete Griffin, Dave Tull, Brenna Whitaker, and Christian Moraga.

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 11/25 – Spencer Day at Spaghettini

Vocalist Spencer Day is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Sun Ra Arkestra is at Lodge Room in Highland Park. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Phatback, Earl & Me are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. 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. Keyboardist Julian Pollack leads 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. Keyboardist Lee Pardini is at The High Low in Atwater Village.

Tuesday 11/26 – Pete Griffin’s Lab Rats at The Baked Potato

Bassist Pete Griffin’s Lab Rats are at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jamie Kime on guitar, Isamu McGregor on keys, and Chad Wackerman on drums. Drummer Joe La Barbera gives a clinic and concert at the LACM Garage in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Champian Fulton is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guest saxophonist Gerald Albright. Vocalist Marsha Bartenetti is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Allison Adams Tucker is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Trumpeter/vocalist Chris Norton is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in Downtown L.A. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in West 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. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 11/27 – Blanco Diablo at The Baked Potato

Blanco Diablo is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Andy Sanesi on drums, Doug Webb on sax, Jamie Kime on guitar, Mitchel Forman on keys, Fausto Cuevas on percussion, and Janek Gwizdala on bass. Drummer Christian Moraga is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. 6 Beats Apart is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist/keyboardist Tim Hockenberry is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trumpeter Jeff Elliott is at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang. 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. Keyboardist Brad Bietry hosts a happy hour open mic and jam session at The George in Pasadena.

Thursday 11/28 – Dave Tull at Eddie V’s

Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Friday 11/29 – Roy McCurdy at Sam First

Drummer Roy McCurdy is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Rickey Woodard on sax, Tamir Hendelman on piano, and Mike Gurrola on bass. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Pianist David Benoit plays music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Boogaloo Assassins are at Lodge Room in Highland Park. Drummer Brandon Sanders is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Todd Hunter and vocalist Liz Cole are at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. The Greyboy All-Stars are at Belly Up in Solana Beach for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Pianist/vocalist Kirk Andres Wilson is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trumpeter/vocalist Rick Braun does a holiday show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guitarist Peter White. The San Diego Latin Jazz Collective is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Golden Island in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Vocalist Marilyn Maye is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Lorenzo Ferrero is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The ESP Jazz Collective is at Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in West L.A. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Trish Hatley. Blue Matrix is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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 11/30 – Doug Webb & David Binney at The Grape

Saxophonists Doug Webb and David Binney are at The Grape in Ventura with Mitchel Forman on keys, Chris Colangelo on bass, and Tony Austin on drums. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Roy McCurdy is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Trio 919 is at Collage in San Pedro. Pianist David Benoit plays music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Catalina in Hollywood. The Greyboy All-Stars are at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Vocalist Jennifer Keith is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Bassist Rob Thorsen is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trumpeter/vocalist Rick Braun does a holiday show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guitarist Peter White. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Marilyn Maye is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Swingsations are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. The Geo Trio is at Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. 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. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Strada Swing is at Le Petit Paris in downtown L.A.

Sunday 12/1 – Teryn Re’ Big Band at The Baked Potato

Vocalist Teryn Re’ leads a big band in a night of holiday music at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Billy Childs is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Pianist Josh Nelson leads his USC Jazz Ensemble at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Singers In Law are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter/vocalist Rick Braun does a holiday show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with saxophonist Richard Elliot. Guitarist Blake Aaron is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Vocalist Donna Deussen and guitarist Jim Fox are at the Thai Fusion Bistro in West Hills. Vocalist Jennifer Shay is at Panama 66 in San Diego. PINKmessiah is at Bar Bandini in Echo Park. 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 Richard Glaser is at The Barkley in South Pasadena. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. 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.  Vocalists Liz Cole and Jeffrey Gimble do the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Saxophonist Ben Sachs has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Trumpeter/vocalist Rick Braun does a holiday brunch show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with saxophonist Richard Elliot.

Monday 12/2 – Graham Dechter/Alex Frank Quartet at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a group at The Baked Potato in Studio City including Ryan Shaw on drums, Sasha Berliner on vibes, Rickey Woodard on sax, and Jordan Seigel on keys.  Pianist Matt Politano is at Bub & Grandmas in Eagle Rock.  Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter/vocalist Rick Braun does a holiday show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with pianist/vocalist Keiko Matsui. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The R Bar in downtown L.A. 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. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. The SMC Jazz Ensemble is at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center.  The SBCC Small Group Jazz is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 12/3 – Terrace Martin at Verse LA

Saxophonist Terrace Martin is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake.  Guitarist Mike Keneally’s Beer For Dolphins is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed) with Rick Musallum on guitar, Pete Griffin on bass, and Joe Travers on drums.  Bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Antonio Artese is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Marilyn Maye is at Catalina in Hollywood.   The Kupkasonic Orchestra is at The Barkley in South Pasadena.  Vocalist Jennifer Leigh Warren does a holiday show at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Phineas Leevy is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby 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. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in West L.A. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 12/4 – West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band at Vibrato

The West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Melissa Morgan. Trombonist Jon Hatamiya is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Mike Keneally’s Beer For Dolphins is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Supa Lowery Brothers are at the Freehand Hotel in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Jerry Mandel is at Bistango in Irvine. 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. Keyboardist Brad Bietry hosts a happy hour open mic and jam session at The George in Pasadena.