Jazz Listings

Thurs.—The Gil Bernal Quartet celebrating the legendary Gil’s birthday.

CLUB TROPICAL, 8641 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Full bar and Salvadoran food. Cover varies. (310) 559-1127.

Fri.—Sounds of the Shona as Cryptonoche presents the Masanga Marimba Ensemble. This is the mbira that Thomas Mapfumo put to guitar, a music yet untapped by jazzers.

Mon.—Aussie drummer Tim Davies’ Big Band. Definitely not retro-swing.

Thurs.—Cryptonight presents Nels Cline & Friends performing the music of Andrew Hill: It’s testy stuff, but with guitarist Cline, accordionist-electronicist Andrea Parkins, clarinetist Ben Goldberg, cornetist Bobby Bradford, bassist Devin Hoff and drummer Scott Amendolaonboard — good God, that group could play anything. (Greg Burk)

COLOMBO’S, 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock. Italian lounge with red-leather everything. Full bar. No cover. (323) 254-9138.

Sun.-Mon.—TheErik EkstrandTrio; each Mon. hosting TheEagle Rock Jazz Jam Session.

Tues.—Vocalist Sonji Kimmons.

Wed.—Jimmy Spencer and KarenHernandez.

Thurs.—Straight-ahead Rio Fiumara–Tom Armbruster Quartet and guests.

THE DOWNBEAT CAFÉ, 1202 N. Alvarado St., Echo Park. Great food and java with a beatnik vibe. Music 7:30-9:30 p.m. No cover. (213) 483-3955.

Wed.—The Downbeats with Vince Meghrouni.

HOLLY STREET BAR & GRILL, 175 E. Holly St., Pasadena. Nice room; restaurant and full bar. No cover/min. (626) 440-7267.

Fri.—Latin jazz from Mark Townes, 7-10 p.m.

Sat.—Saxophonist D.A. Bookman.

Sun.—Jazz guitarist Jesse Bradley, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Wed.—Byron Miller’s B-Jam Night, 9:30 p.m.-mid.

Thurs.—Call club for info.

JAX, 339 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Noisy, crowded, but grab a table beside the tiny stage and see some fine jazz on a good night. Lunch and dinner. No cover/no min. Full bar. Over 18. (818) 500-1604.

Fri.—Laurie Melan.

Sat.—Blues from Gas House Dave.

Sun.—Django-isms from The Hot Fab Djazz Club.

Mon.—Jazz pianist Marty Harris.

Tues.—Victoria Corrigan.

Wed.—The Others.

Thurs.—Great jazz from trumpeter Jack Sheldon’s California Cool Quartet at their regular haunt.

THE JAZZ BAKERY, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City. Prime-time players in a concert setting. Beer, wine. 8 & 9:30 p.m. (Half-price student-rush tickets with ID, 21 & under.) (310) 271-9039.

Fri.-Sun.—The Vinicius Cantuaria Quartet: Maybe it’s his adopted Gotham home, but his is a dark-edged bossa, the saudade propelled by an irresistible rhythmic pulse set by the masterful Brazilian drummer Paulo Braga. Highly recommended. (Also Sun., 6 p.m.: Sing! Sing! Sing!)

Mon.—The Christian Hernandez Quintet, and the guitarist/bassist is joined by with saxist Craig Cammell, trumpeter Emile Martinez, bassist Joshua Crumbly and drummer Kenny Wollesen.

Tues.-Thurs.—Mose Allison. With bassist Tom Warrington. ’Nuff said.

LA VÉ LEE, 12514 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. Mediterranean cuisine. Showtimes 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. Full bar. All ages. (818) 980-8158.

Fri.—Killer descargas from Poncho Sanchez.

Sat.—J.P. & Ms. B CD-release party.

Tues.—Marco Mendoza, Joey Heredia and Renato Neto.

Wed.—Guitarist Scott Henderson, keyboardist Scott Kinsey, bassist Jimmy Earl and drummer Gary Novak.

Thurs.—Latin funk from Sheila E’s C.O.E.D., with Rhonda Smith, Kate Dyson, Cassandra O’Neal, once-upon-a-time P-Funk singer Lynn Mabry, and special guests Prince’s Wendy & Lisa. Should be fun.

MAGGIANO’S, 189 The Grove Dr. Italian cuisine right by Farmers Market. No cover/no min. Music 6:30-9 p.m. (323) 965-9665.

Fri.—The Joshua Heath Trio.

Sat.—Pat Tuzzolino.

Wed.—Call club for info.

Thurs.—Latin-tinged standards from Margo Reymundo.

MICELI’S, 1646 N. Las Palmas Ave., Hlywd. Venerable Italian eatery features excellent jazz pianists. No cover. Full bar. All ages. (323) 466-3430.

Fri.-Sun.—Brian O’Rourke.

Mon. & Thurs.—Phil Palermo.

Tues.—Ross Tompkins.

Wed.—Cal Bezemer.

THE MONEY TREE, 10149 Riverside Dr., Toluca Lake. Hallowed old nightspot/restaurant. No cover. All ages. (818) 752-8383.

Fri.—Saxist Michael Rose’s trio with Linda Smith.

Sat.—The Nina Beck Trio with Marie Jacobs.

Sun.—Bassist Big Al (with pianist Matt Weisberg, drummer Brad Elliott) hosts the jazz jam.

Mon.—Blues with Alex Rebar.

Tues.—The Frank Wilson Trio.

Wed.—The Gregor Blues Quartet.

Thurs.—Call club for info.

PHLIGHT, 6724 Bright Ave., Whittier. Restaurant is a new jazz spot in old Whittier. No cover, no min. All ages. (562) 789-0578.

Fri.—Patrice Belmaster, 8-11 p.m.

Sat.—Guitarist Jeff Richman, 8-11 p.m.

Sun.—Vocalist Judy Wexler(with pianist Karen Hammack), 7-10 p.m.

SPAZIO, 14755 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. California cuisine. No cover; two-drink min. Music from 7:30. Full bar. All ages. (818) 728-8400.

Fri.—Guitarist Al Violawith saxist-flutist Sam Most, bassist Richard Simon, drummer Brian Newbury.

Sat.—Very entertaining jazz vocalist Gene Diamond with his quartet including pianist Karen Hernandez, bassist Lou Shoch, drummer Jack LeCompte.

Sun.—Brunch with guitarist Mark Townsand bassist Carlitos del Puertofrom 10:30 a.m.; then, at 8 p.m., pianist Bevan Mansonwith bassist Chris Colangelo and drummer Danny Pucillo.

Mon.—Eliseo Latin Jazz Quintet, with bassist and vocalist Eliseo, sax and flute man Frank Fontaine, pianist Tom Regis, conguero Eddie Delafe and timbaleroVictor Montanez.

Tues.—John Pisano’s Guitar Night with Carl Verheyen.

Wed.—Call club for info.

Thurs.—Chops and rhythms galore when the exciting drummer Jimmy Branly brings in a trio featuring the fascinating pianist Otmaro Ruiz.

TEN 20 CAFÉ at the WYNDHAM BEL AGE, 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., W. Hlywd. Plush Strip digs with quite the view out the windows or at the bar. No cover, two-drink min. Pay-to-park. Music from 7 p.m. (310) 358-7702.