SoCal jazz highlights this week include Emily Bear, Charles Lloyd, Lee Ritenour, John Beasley, Jane Monheit, Bernie Dresel, VDE Jazz Orchestra, Brian Charette, Vinny Golia, Session Syndicate, LA Jazz Quartet, Kate McGarry, and John Escreet.
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, especially around holidays. The LAjazz.com Quick Calendar lists events and showtimes three days in advance on the LAjazz.com home page.
Monday 11/9 – Lee Ritenour at Blue Note LA
Guitarist Lee Ritenour celebrates an album release at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist Graham Dechter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Steve Lehman and guitarist Jeff Parker lead a quintet at The High Low in Atwater Village. Pianist Danny Green does a noon show at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The New Lighthouse All-Stars host a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. 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. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. The Hot Club Of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Vibraphonist Ian Harland leads a jam session at the Charade Speakeasy in San Diego. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.
Tuesday 11/10 – Emily Bear at Blue Note LA
Pianist Emily Bear is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed). Saxophonist Carlo Alfonso is at The Mint in West L.A. Kat & Burn are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Billy Vera Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Guitarist Rory Glassford and pianist Sam Smylie are at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Drummer Kevin Kanner hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Peter Smith is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake. Saxophonist Hitomi Oba is at Vine in Long Beach. T uba Skinny is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Big Time Operator is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. 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. Pianist Edward Gabrielyan is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Bossa Club with vocalist Lua De Morais is at Azur in Beverly Hills. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Blue Note Jazz Orchestra is at the Haugh Performing Arts Center in Glendora. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.
Wednesday 11/11 – Bernie Dresel BBB at Vibrato
Drummer Bernie Dresel celebrates a birthday at Vibrato in Bel Air with his BBB big band. Drummer Ana Barreiro is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Emily Bear is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Dexter Story celebrates an album release at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at 1881 in Pasadena. That Chase Thing is at Dreamland in Malibu. The Hollywood Standard Quartet is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Shea Welsh plays music from Jeff Beck at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarist/vocalist Rafael Moreira is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Phil Crosby, Jr. is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Drummer Tom Dante is is at Knolls in Laguna Niguel. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. TUBOP is at Chapter One in Santa Ana. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Pascal & The French Jazz Project are at Azur in Beverly Hills. The Redwood Jazz Collective is at Visionarium in South Pasadena.
Thursday 11/12 – John Beasley’s MONK’estra at The Spotlight
Pianist John Beasley’s MONK’estra big band will be at The Spotlight in Hollywood – pianist Michael Ragonese opens. Saxophonist Charles Lloyd is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. The VDE Jazz Orchestra is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist John Escreet and saxophonist David Binney are at Boston Court in Pasadena. Drummer Rayford Griffin is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Black Market Trust is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The String Revolution is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Bassist Caleb Buchanan is at Gra in Echo Park. Elena & George Gilliam are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Trumpeter Skip Spiro is at The Grape in Temecula. Bassist Tigran Zhamkochya is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vibraphonist Jake Chapman is at Bar Bacari North Park in San Diego. Keyboardist Ben Dabiri is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Saxophonist Jack Lieberman is at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. Keyboardist Zach Tenorio is at Solarc Brewing in Eagle Rock. Keyboardist Bryard Huggins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Matthew Yang is at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Drummer James Yoshizawa is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at Divina Cucina in Montrose. Four And More are at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Palm Springs. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Billy T & The Fam are at The Dresden in Los Feliz. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Meet In Paris Restaurant & Lounge in Culver City. Saxophonist Pascal Valcasara is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Keyboardist Richard Turner, Jr. is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with trumpeter Wayne Cobham. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts an evening outdoor patio jam session for instrumentalists. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Kevin Tokarz is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Daddy Diamonds in Hollywood. The Idyllwild Arts Academy Jazz Combo is at The Merc in Temecula.
Friday 11/13 – Some Of My Best Musicians Are Friends at The Broad Stage
Santa Monica College celebrates 20 years of jazz performances with a fundraiser featuring Eric Scott Reed, Ralph Moore, Ira Nepus, Edwin Livingston, Marvin ‘Smitty’ Smith, Gilbert Castellanos, Clay Jenkins, Bob Sheppard, and many more at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Drummer Jaz Sawyer is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Winston Raval is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist/vocalist Carl Verheyen is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist/guitarist Teka is at The Grand On State Street in Santa Barbara. Guitarist Suren Arustamyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Straight No Chaser offers a holiday program at the Cerritos Center For Performing Arts. Keyboardist Dylan Meek is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. Drummer Julien Cantelm is at Bar Bacari North Park in San Diego. Vocalists Matt Forbes and Jesse Goddard are at The Dresden in Los Feliz. Bassist Ryan Embola is at the Townhouse in Venice. The Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist Roy Dunlap is at The Georgian Room in Santa Monica, followed by a later show from vocalist Maiya Sykes. Bassist Rufus Philpot is at 1881 in Pasadena. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. The Garners are at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Books & Records in San Diego. The SoCal Jazz Collective is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Pianist Brad Bietry is at the Al Italiano Restaurant in West Hills. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Dana Swanson. Trumpeter Chris Lawrence II is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Guitarist Dusty Brough is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Guitarist Daryl Darden is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Cynthia Gonzalez is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Panama 66 in San Diego. The Esquires Small Band is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Mark Lessman is at Ki’s Restaurant in Cardiff. Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina. The Woody James Legacy Big Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.
Saturday 11/14 – Jane Monheit at The Scherr Forum
Vocalist Jane Monheit sings music of Cole Porter at the Scherr Forum in Thousand Oaks. Organist Brian Charette is at The Grape in Temecula. Saxophonist Vinny Golia leads an octet at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Drummer Jonathan Pinson is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Daniel Carneiro is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Urugyuan vocalist Jorge Drexler is at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. Guitarist Dariel Peniazek is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Afro Peruvian Jazz Orchestra is at the Artists Theater in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Brian Simpson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Donna Deussen is at 1881 in Pasadena. Tank & The Bangas are at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Sat-Sun). Bassist Evona Wascinski is at Bar Bacari North Park in San Diego. Guitarist/vocalist Philip Sayce is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Hovhannes John Babakhanyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Todd Hunter is at 1881 in Pasadena. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Harbor & Sky in San Diego. Straight No Chaser does a holiday show at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Vocalist Renee Safier and pianist Bob Malone are at the Grand Annex in San Pedro. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist David Moscoe is at The Dresden in Los Feliz. Keyboardist Scott Tibbs is at The Georgian Room in Santa Monica. Drummer Peter Buck is at the Queensview Steakhouse at Parker’s Lighthouse in Long Beach. The Jazztown Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Drummer Izzak Weatherwax is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Eric Scott Reed leads an afternoon workshop at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia leads an afternoon jam session at Brightside California Kitchen in Santa Monica. Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 do a brunch at Vitello’s Velvet Martini Lounge in Studio City. Gary’s Big Band Of Barristers is at the Colburn School in downtown L.A.
Sunday 11/15 – The Session Syndicate at Vibrato
Pianist Jeff Babko’s Session Syndicate is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Los Angeles Jazz Quartet is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Kate McGarry is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Mon David is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist David Sanchez is at the Scripps Research Auditorium in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at the Starlight Cabaret in Studio City. Pianist Matt Politano is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Trumpeter Chad Williams opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at Vitello’s Velvet Martini Lounge in Studio City. Pianist Danny Green celebrates an album release at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Tank & The Bangas are at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Pianist Peter Smith is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake. Guitarist Ron Hershewe is at Big Jim’s Family Restaurant in Sun Valley. Guitarist Patrick Yandall is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Brad Bietry hosts a jam session at Al Italiano Restaurant in West Hills. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Bassist Ryan Cross is at Delilah in West Hollywood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at The Barkley in South Pasadena. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at Cafe Tondo in Chinatown. 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. Guitarist Tom Collins is at the Ojai Pub in Ojai. The Hard Bop Ensemble is at The Copper Room in Yucca Valley. The Santa Ana Swingers play a happy hour show at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Satin Keys is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Jorg Dubin plays a jazz brunch at the Zinc Cafe in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Chloe Perrier does a brunch at Azur in Beverly Hills. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Keyboardist Cory Henry does a gospel brunch at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. The SoCal Jazz Collective does a brunch at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine.
Monday 11/16 – Steve Lehman/Jeff Parker Quartet at The High Low
Saxophonist Steve Lehman and guitarist Jeff Parker lead a quartet at The High Low in Atwater Village with Karl McComas-Reichl on bass and Anthony Fung on drums. Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Don Brown’s Collective is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Mon-Tue). Guitarist Darnell Taylor is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The New Lighthouse All-Stars host a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. 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. Vibraphonist Ian Harland leads a jam session at the Charade Speakeasy in San Diego. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Danny Holt does a noon show at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla.
Tuesday 11/17 – Don Brown Collective at Blue Note LA
Drummer Don Brown’s Collective is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Corcovado is at TriP in Santa Monica. Vibraphonist Sasha Berliner hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Buzz Wizards are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Pianist Edward Gabrielyan is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Bossa Club with vocalist Lua De Morais is at Azur in Beverly Hills. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Pianist Salvador Padilla is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.
Wednesday 11/18 – Peter Erksine Dr. Um at Vibrato
Drummer Peter Erksine is at Vibrato in Bel Air with John Beasley on piano, Janek Gwizdala on bass, and Bon Sheppard on sax. Drummer Charles Ruggiero is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Chuck Johnson is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist/pianist V. Shayne Frederick is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TriP in Santa Monica. Saxophonist Tony Exum, Jr. is at Vitello’s Velvet Martini Lounge in Studio City. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. UCLA and USC college jazz bands are at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. TUBOP is at Chapter One in Santa Ana. The Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at Bistango in Irvine. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Pascal & The French Jazz Project are at Azur in Beverly Hills. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Sound Dhaba hosts a Latin Jazz jam in downtown L.A. Collage hosts a jazz jam in San Pedro. Pianist Ark Sano plays a noon show at the Glendale City Church in Glendale.