About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of December 23, 2024

2024 winds down with a SoCal jazz week including Arturo Sandoval, Gordon Goodwin, Doug Webb, Ernie Watts, Brandon Fields, Nicole McCabe & Darynn Dean, Karl Denson, Dolphin Hyperspace, Elaine Gibbs, and Greg Adams & East Bay Soul.

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 12/23 – 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 Kevin Tokarz is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist Derrik Lewis plays a happy hour show at The Tropicale 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.

Thursday 12/26 – Brandon Fields at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Brandon Fields celebrates a birthday at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Walt Fowler on trumpet, John Pena on bass, Lenny Castro on percussion, and Chad Wackerman on drums. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Mark Towns is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trumpeter Everett Kelly is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Brian O’Rourke is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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 Kaylee Daughterty is at California English in San Diego.

Friday 12/27 – Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band at Catalina Jazz Club

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Saxophonist Nicole McCabe and vocalist Darynn Dean lead a quintet at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe is at The Sound in Del Mar. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Dolphin Hyperspace is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Natalie Jacob is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Pianist Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra are at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina.  Saxophonist Dale Fielder is at The Dresden in Los Feliz.  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 saxophonist Doug Webb. 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. Pianist Kevin Tokarz is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Saturday 12/28 – Ernie Watts at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Ernie Watts is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Marc Seales on keys, Bruce Lett on bass, and Bob Leatherbarrow on drums. Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a quartet at Sam First near LAX.  Dolphin Hyperspace is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is at The Mint in West L.A. Saxophonist Charlie Arbelaez is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego with trombonist Matt Hall. The Braxton Brothers are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Kahlil Childs is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Pianist Brenda Greggio is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Libretto in Paso Robles. 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. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Kevin Tokarz is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Vocalist Jenessa Noland is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Jazz & Jazz Adjacent are at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  The Smokey Quartz Quartet is at the Z Club in Joshua Tree.

Sunday 12/29 – Doug Webb at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Sun-Mon) with Scott Kinsey on keys, Francisco Fattoruso on bass, and Danny Carey on drums. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Roman Street is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Pianist Brenda Greggio is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Saxophonist Dee Lewis is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Bassist Darryl Williams is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego.  Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  PINKmessiah is at Bar Bandini in Echo Park.  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.  Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads a jazz jam at Z Club in Joshua Tree.  Keyboardist Jay Smith has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Monday 12/30 – Dave Palmer Trio at Zebulon

Pianist Dave Palmer is at Zebulon in Silverlake with Reggie Hamilton on bass and Joey Waronker on drums. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Terrace Martin is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake. Chord Four is at The High Low in Echo Park. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Dean Mora Orchestra is at the Cicada Club 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 Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 12/31 – Gregory Porter at the Dolby Theatre

Vocalist Gregory Porter is at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with vocalist Lia Booth. The Aristocats with vocalist Andrea Miller are at The Maybourne in Beverly Hills.  Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga.  Vocalist Howie Levine does his “JazzNatra” show for New Year’s Eve at Hawg Heaven BBQ & Gastropub in Pasadena with a quartet lead by pianist Mike Saul and guest vocalist Paula Sargent. The Fresh Mint Pharoahs are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Veronique Forget and pianist Mikan Zlatkovich split a New Year’s Eve bill at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Eric Darius is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Ben Gottesman is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad with vocalist Jenessa Noland. The San Diego Jazz Orchestra is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego.  Guitarists Sam Shepherd and Brandon Bernstein are at Jack’s in Dana Point. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. 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.  Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy plays a late afternoon gig at Barley Square Brewery in Torrance.  Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 1/1/25 – David Eastlee at Edwin Mills

Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena with Glenn Cashman on sax, Wayne Wilentz on organ, and Matthew Gordy on drums. Vocalist Lia Booth does a New Year’s Day jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. The Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana.