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

December opens with a SoCal jazz week including Eric Scott Reed, Billy Childs, Jazz At Lincoln Center, West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band, Terrace Martin, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Beverly Church Hogan, Graham Dechter, Jon Hatamiya, Yuko Mabuchi, and Marianne Solivan.

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 12/2 – 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 Ryan Shaw on drums, Sasha Berliner on vibes, Rickey Woodard on sax, and Jordan Siegel 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. Vocalist Sweet Baby J’ai is backed by an all-female band at the Ebell Theatre in West L.A. 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. Saxophonist Eric Letta and vocalist Leah Ashton celebrate an album release at The Stowaway in downtown L.A. 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. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Keyboardist Brad Bietry hosts a happy hour open mic and jam session at The George in Pasadena. Trombonist John Egizi hosts the 805 Jazz Jam at A Twist On Main in Ventura. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Thursday 12/5 – Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra at the Irvine Barclay

The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra does a holiday show at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine.  Drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Vocalist Marianne Solivan is at Sam First near LAX.  Pianist Joshua White is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist George Kahn is at Jo Jo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Vocalist Jane Monheit is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with vocalist Lia Booth. Vocalist Marilyn Maye is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs for the first of three nights (Thu-Sat). Keyboardist Steve Blum is at Solarc Brewing Company in Eagle Rock. Guitarist Joe Bonomassa’s Rock Candy Funk Party begins a four-night (Thu-Sun) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist/vocalist Freddie Ravel does a holiday show at The Grape in Ventura. 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. 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. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. The West Coast Jazz Duo is at Stella’s in Dana Point. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalists Chloe Perrier and Mark Kopitzke are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs.

Friday 12/6 – Billy Childs at Sierra Madre Playhouse

Pianist Billy Childs is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre with Aubrey Situmorang on bass and Benjamin Ring on drums. Pianist Eric Scott Reed is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat).  Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga with bassist Kenny Wild. Bassist Derek Frank is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Guitarist Nate Mercereau celebrates an album release at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist George Kahn does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Scott Wilkie does a holiday show at Libretto in Paso Robles. Saxophonist Brandon Muhawi is at Collage in San Pedro. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Anita Robles does a holiday show at the Garden Cafe in Sherman Oaks. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Vocalist Marilyn Maye is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Joe Bonomassa’s Rock Candy Funk Party is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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 Kristi King. Drummer Joel Taylor 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 12/7 – Eric Scott Reed at Sam First

Pianist Eric Scott Reed is at Sam First near LAX with Mike Gurrola on bass and Marcello Carelli on drums for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat).  Pianist/vocalist Aimee Nolte is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Salsa Meets Jazz does a holiday show at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Justin Lee Schultz is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Marilyn Maye is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist George Kahn does a holiday show at The Grape in Ventura.  Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 do a holiday show at The Write-Off Room in Studio City.  Pianist Scott Wilkie does a holiday show at Libretto in Paso Robles. Guitarist Joe Bonomassa’s Rock Candy Funk Party is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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 Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Grace Fae does a holiday show at Azo Vino in Covina.  Pianist Allen Takatsuka is at Luxe in Dana Point.

Sunday 12/8 – The Jazz Bakers & Kevin Kanner Jazz Jam at The Mint

The Jazz Bakers open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Beverly Church Hogan celebrates a birthday at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Tamir Hendelman is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Guitarist Steve Oliver is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Drummer Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez does a holiday show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Soul Sauce is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach.  Saxophonist Brian Levy is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.   Guitarist Joe Bonomassa’s Rock Candy Funk Party is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. PINKmessiah is at Bar Bandini in Echo Park. Keyboardist/vocalist Freddie Ravel is at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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. MC3 has the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club hosts an afternoon show and jam session at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. The Santa Barbara Jazz Society hosts a jazz jam brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 12/9 – Nicole McCabe at The High Low

Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at The High Low in Atwater Village with Jeff Parker on guitar, Logan Kane on bass, and Myles Martin on drums.   The Tom Kubis Big Band does a holiday show at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Crystal Lewis does a holiday show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The R Bar in downtown Los Angeles. 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. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Saxophonist Mike DeBellis leads a holiday jam session at Paddy’s Station in San Juan Capistrano.

Tuesday 12/10 – Shaghoian/Oles/Ferber at Tavern On Brand

Saxophonist Tim Shaghoian is at Tavern On Brand in Glendale with Darek Oles on bass and Ben Lumsdaine on drums.  Saxophonist Terrace Martin is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake.  Drummer Justin Brown hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Joe Rozun does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Natalie Jacob does a holiday show at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Coral MacFarland 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 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 12/11 – Michael Landau at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato with Tim Lefebvre on bass and Gary Novak on drums. Trumpeter David Weiss is at The Paramount in East Los Angeles. Pianist Cristina Galisatus is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at 1881 in Pasadena. Brazilian vocalist Caro Pierotto and Farofa are at Mozambique in Laguna Beach. Drummer Jacob Wendt is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant does a holiday show at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Ray Fuller does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air with saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa. 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. Jumpin’ Joz 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. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads a jazz jam session at Collage in San Pedro.