About & Out – What’s Hot – The Week Of May 15, 2017

Chucho Valdes

Monday 5/15 – Brazilian Violin Trio at Blue Whale

The Brazilian Violin Trio is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with violinists Ted Falcon and Andrew Finn Magill and guitarist Nando Duarte. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at 118 Degrees in Tarzana. Organist Carey Frank is at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. Monday jam sessions include John Ziegler and Jamie Kime at The Baked Potato in Studio City, Matthew Yeakley at The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31. The Los Alamitos High School Jazz Band is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Peninsulans Jazz Orchestra is at the South End Racquet Club in Torrance.

Tuesday 5/16 – Simon Moullier at Blue Whale

Vibraphonist Simon Moullier is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Amber Navaran on flute and vocals, Jacob Mann on keys, and Jungkuk Kim on drums. Percussionist Richie Gajate Garcia is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at General Lee’s Cocktail House in downtown L.A.’s Chinatown. Pianist Connie Han is at Lock & Key in Koreatown in downtown L.A.. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. The Makers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. The Route 66 Jazz Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Cantina in Burbank with guest John Chiodini. Guitarist Mike Baggetta is at ETA in Highland Park.

Wednesday 5/17 – Jon Mayer Quartet at the Lighthouse

Pianist John Mayer has the happy hour gig at The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach with a quartet including saxophonist Rickey Woodard, bassist Chris Conner, and drummer Roy McCurdy. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Russian vocalist Oleg Frish is at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Paul Bryan’s quartet and the Meridian Trio split a bill at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Blanco Diablo is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A.   Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. Vocalist Nichole Preuss is at Le Petit Paris in downtown L.A.. Pianist Greg Spaulding is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Percussionist Ronnie Gutierrez hosts a Wednesday night jam session at Monty’s in Woodland Hills. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale.

Thursday 5/18 – Kathleen Grace at Blue Whale

Vocalist Kathleen Grace is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with David Piltch on bass, Tim Young and Storm Nilson on guitars, Gabe Witcher on violin, and Matt Mayhall on drums.  Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Keyboardist David Garfield is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Trumpeter Ron King is at Cooks Chapel in Anaheim. Vocalist Julie Kelly is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Guitarist Mike Baggetta is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Derek Bomback is at the Torrance Art Museum. Vocalist Mark Arthur Miller is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Sandra Booker is at Seven Grand in downtown Los Angeles. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. The Ben Rose Band with vocalist Laura Mace is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Saxophonist Dave Paterson is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Bassist David Ross is at the LA Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. Vocalist Carolyn Martinez is at Vicky’s of Santa Fe in Palm Desert. Pianist Gary Matsumoto is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Vocalist Alanna Vicente is at the Boardroom in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Jose Perez is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.. Pianist Keith Droste is at The Merc in Temecula. Cava is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Saxophonist Jason Fabus is at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Friday 5/19 – Benefit for Albert Wing at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Mike Miller and bassist Jimmy Johnson lead a medical benefit fundraiser at The Baked Potato in Studio City for saxophonist Albert Wing including trumpeter Walt Fowler, keyboardist Mitchel Forman, and drummer Chad Wackerman. Flutist Ali Ryerson is at the Handlery Hotel in San Diego.  Saxophonist Will Vinson is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A..    Vocalist Jennifer Keith is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Luis Munoz celebrates a CD release at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Pianist Sabine Pothier is at the Boathouse Collective in Costa Mesa. Vocalist Marsha Bartenetti is at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood.  Pianist/vocalist Joey Dosik is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Jeff Robinson is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Pianist Zach Provost is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Vocalist Laura Mace is at the Boardroom in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Janice Anderson is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Flutist/saxophonist/vocalist Katisse Buckingham has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. with vocalist Jessica Vautor.

Saturday 5/20 – Chucho Valdes at Luckman Fine Arts Complex

Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes is at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State Los Angeles downtown. Bassist Bunny Brunel leads his CAB ensemble with Virgil Donati on drums, Mitchel Forman on keys, and Julian Coryell on guitar at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Dan Schnelle is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Larry Goldings on organ, Anthony Wilson on guitar, and Daniel Rotem on saxophone. Drummer Jason Lee Bruns is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Guitarist Graham Dechter is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. The Asian Heritage Jazz Festival is at the Aritani Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Drummer Al Williams is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Steve Tyrell is at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center. Trio Eclectic is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Jamie Shew is at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A.. Drummer Kevin Crabb is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Vocalist Julia Vari is at Casa Arjona in Long Beach. Vocalist Dolores Scozzesi is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. The Vibrato All-Stars are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Kait Dunton is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A..
Drummer Mark Z. Stevens’ leads a trio at Desert Rose in Los Feliz. Vocalist Chris Pierce is at the Boardroom in downtown L.A.. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Pianist Nikos Syropoulos is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Pianist Anne Farnsworth is at the Paradise Bar in Long Beach. Vocalist Becca Godinez is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saturday brunch choices include pianist Sam Hirsh at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and keyboardist Todd Hunter at Perch in downtown L.A..

Sunday 5/21 – Brad Rabuchin at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Brad Rabuchin is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Tom Buckneron sax, Steve Billman on bass, and Joel Taylor on drums. Hefti Plays Hefti is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Devyn Rush. Orkestra Meze and saxophonist Daniel Rotem split a bill at the Bootleg Theater in downtown L.A.. The Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra is at Gateway Christian Church in West Los Angeles.  The Song Of The Angels Flute Orchestra plays an evening of jazz at First Lutheran Church in Torrance with guests Ali Ryerson and Fred Selden.   Guitarist Steve Oliver is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Haco is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. MAST is at ETA in Highland Park. Vibraphonists Anthony Smith, Nick Mancini and Lolly Allen are at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro for an afternoon concert. Pianist Danny Green plays an afternoon show at the Brasil Arts Cafe in Santa Barbara. Sunday brunch choices include vocalist Janis Mann at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, vocalist Jesse Palter at Perch in downtown L.A., vocalist Sharon Marie Cline at The Little Easy in downtown L.A., bassist Rufus Philpot at The Springs in downtown L.A., saxophonist Cal Bennett at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood, vocalist Bri Sarikcioglu at the Luxe Hotel Sunset in Bel Air, and guitarist Mark Fitchett at Chez Melange in Redondo Beach.

Monday 5/22 – Brent Canter at Blue Whale

Guitarist Brent Canter is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Bob Reynolds on sax, Sam Barsh on keys,  Max Haymer on piano, Dan Lutz on bass, and Charles Ruggiero on drums. Guitarist/vocalist John Reynolds is at Joe’s Great American Bar & Grill in Burbank. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at 118 Degrees in Tarzana. Organist Carey Frank is at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. Monday jam sessions include Kevin Kanner at The Mint in West L.A., John Ziegler and Jamie Kime at The Baked Potato in Studio City, Matthew Yeakley at The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31.

Tuesday 5/23 – Matt Mayhall at Blue Whale

Drummer Matt Mayhall is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Jeff Parker on guitar, Josh Johnson on sax, and Paul Bryan on bass. “Conan” saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village.  Flamenco/jazz guitarist/vocalist Ethan Margolis (Sultry) is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Anna Butteress is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Tyshawn Sorey is at The Loft at UCSD La Jolla. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. The Makers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. The Route 66 Jazz Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Cantina in Burbank with guest Ron Eschete. The Amp Trio is at ETA in Highland Park. Students from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) are featured in the Young Artists Jazz Series at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter Jose Perez is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.. Conganas is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale.

Wednesday 5/24 – Yellowjackets at The E Spot Lounge

Yellowjackets are at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City with Bob Mintzer on sax, Russell Ferrante on piano, Dane Alderson on bass, and Will Kennedy on drums in a benefit for the Atwater Park Center.   Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The LA Jazz Institute kicks off its five-day Big Band Jazz Festival at the Westin LAX with an evening concert featuring Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. Vocalist Kate Reid is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Javier Vergara is at La Sierra University in Riverside. The Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Ensemble is at the UCLA Fowler Museum in Westwood. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at AJ’s On The Green in Cathedral City. Vocalist Johnny Britt is at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. Vocalist Frank Stallone is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Oui’ 3 is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Vocalist Dan Olivo is at Le Petite Paris in downtown L.A.. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Percussionist Ronnie Gutierrez hosts a Wednesday night jam session at Monty’s in Woodland Hills. Pianist Carey Frank is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Trombonist Kevin Hicks has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.