About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of December 16, 2024

December continues with a SoCal jazz week including John Daversa, Benito Gonzalez, Loston Harris, Jeff Parker, Azar Lawrence, Nita Whitaker, Terrace Martin, Tom Luer, Jimmy Branly, Lynne Fiddmont, George Colligan, Jon Hatamiya, Cory Henry, John Tegmeyer, and Dave Koz.

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 12/16 – Jeff Parker ETA IVtet at Zebulon

Guitarist Jeff Parker’s ETA IVtet is at Zebulon in Silverlake for the first of two nights (Mon-Tue) with Josh Johnson on sax, Anna Butterss on bass, and Jay Bellerose on drums. Drummer Jason Harnell plays a solo holiday show at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Paul Cornish is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at the Irvine Valley College Performing Arts Center in Irvine. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov. 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. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 12/17 – Terrace Martin at Verse LA

Saxophonist Terrace Martin is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake. Clarinetist John Tegmeyer is at Tavern On Brand in Glendale. Guitarist Jeff Parker’s ETA IVtet is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Pink Martini with vocalist China Forbes are at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Jane Lynch leads an evening of holiday music backed by a group led by trumpeter Tony Guerrero at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. 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 Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. The Baked Potato in Studio City hosts a four-act Showcase Night. French vocal group Paris Chansons are at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Wednesday 12/18 – Tom Luer at Sam First

Saxophonist Tom Luer is at Sam First near LAX with Andrew Synowiec on guitar, Andy Langham on piano, Edwin Livingston on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Lynne Fiddmont does a holiday show at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Antonia Bennett does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist John Clayton and son/pianist Gerald Clayton are at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena for the first of three nights (Wed-Fri). La Charanga Cubana plays a tribute to Orquesta Aragon at Catalina in Hollywood. Squashed Grapes hosts an alumni show featuring numerous performers who played at the venue including pianist Rachel Flowers and saxophonist Jacob Scesney. Pink Martini with vocalist China Forbes are at the Harold Miossi Hall at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Shawn Thies does a holiday show at SOhO in Santa Barbara. 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. The Happiness Band 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Le Bons Garcons is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A.

Thursday 12/19 – John Daversa Big Band at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter John Daversa begins a four-night (Thu-Sun) big band run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Azar Lawrence is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Clarinetist Matt Stubbs is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Steve Lehman leads a trio at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. with guest saxophonist Mark Turner, plus a trio of trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, keyboardist Chiquita Magic, and drummer Justin Brown. Vocalist Amber Weekes is at Catalina in Hollywood. Jason Goldman’s big band does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist John Clayton and son/pianist Gerald Clayton are at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Violinist Nora Germain is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist Mike Garson is at Libretto in Paso Robles. The Duck Soup Trio plays music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Gregg Karukas plays 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.

Friday 12/20 – Benito Gonzalez at Camila’s Jazz Club

Pianist Benito Gonzalez is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Rene Camacho on bass and Andy Sanesi on drums. Drummer George Colligan is at Sam First near LAX. Bassist John Clayton and son/pianist Gerald Clayton are at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Trombonist Jon Hatamiya’s Big Band is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Trumpeter John Daversa leads a big band at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist Cory Henry is at The Mint in West L.A. Keyboardist Wayne Linsey does a holiday show at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Terry Wollman does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Adam Hersh is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with a holiday program. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Trumpeter John Reynolds is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Keri Kelsey is at the Garden Cafe in Sherman Oaks. 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 Jessie Payo. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach.  Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Native Fields in Walnut.  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 Johnny Holiday Show is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. The Garners are at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Adam Wolff is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Vocalist Kaylee Daughtery is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Saturday 12/21 – Loston Harris at the Moss Theater

Pianist Loston Harris is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica with a holiday program featuring Ian Hendrickson-Smith on sax, Gianluca Renzi on bass, and Carmen Intorre Jr. on drums. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval celebrates an album release at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. The Jazz Compass presents a holiday program at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter John Daversa leads a big band at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Benito Gonzalez is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air for an early show, followed by vocalist Seth MacFarlane’s Chamber Orchestra. L.A. Rumba presents a Cuban Christmas show at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts with a holiday program. The Aristocats are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The St. Be Trio does a program entitled “A Jazzy Christmas Carol” at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Jenessa Noland. The Alpha Rhythm Kings are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association in Pasadena. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina. Pianist John Opferkuch is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Saxophonist Jessy J is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Phineas Leevy does a holiday show at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Guitarist Angelo Metz leads a trio and jam session at The End in Torrance. 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 Johnny Holiday Show is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Elijah Marrewa is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 do a holiday brunch at The Pour House in Monrovia.

Sunday 12/22 – Nita Whitaker at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Nita Whitaker is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Corbin Jones Big Band opens with a holiday show for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  Trumpeter John Daversa leads a big band at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  The St. Be Trio does a program entitled “A Jazzy Christmas Carol” at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock.  Pianist Joshua White is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Saxophonist Mindi Abair is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Montalban Quintet is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Koz does a holiday show at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs.  Bassist Kai Kurosawa is at Bar Bandini in Echo Park.  Guitarist Richard Hastings is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Tom Collins is at the Ojai Pub in Ojai. 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. Pianist Richard Glaser is at The Barkley in South Pasadena. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. 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.  Soul Sauce does a Sunday brunch at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Pianist Todd Hunter leads a holiday sing-a-long afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.  The Garners do a Sunday brunch at California English in San Diego.

Monday 12/23 – Arturo Sandoval at Walt Disney Hall

Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval plays a holiday concert at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. Blues guitarist Kirk Fletcher celebrates a birthday at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Terrace Martin is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake. The Duck Soup Trio plays music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Saxophonist Joe Santa Maria is at The High Low in Echo Park. Saxophonist Mindi Abair is 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 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.  Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 12/24 – Elaine Gibbs at La Puglia

Vocalist Elaine Gibbs is at La Puglia in Santa Monica with Jeff Settles on drums, William Bryant on piano, and Stephen Lexsner on guitar.  Pianist/vocalist Ellis Hall is at Vibrato in Bel Air.   Pianist Vardan Ovsepian plays a Christmas Eve service at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Westchester.  Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.   Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in West L.A.  The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown Los Angeles.  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 Kevin Tokarz is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs.  Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 12/25 – Kevin Tokarz at the Purple Room

Pianist Kevin Tokarz leads a trio at the Purple Room in Palm Springs for a special Christmas Day dinner seating.