Jazz Listings

Concerts

GEORGE CABLES Latest of the David L. Abell Memorial Jazz Salons features this outstanding player who was Art Pepper’s favorite pianist. Cables’ swinging straight-ahead solos grace many a session from the ’70s to the ’90s. LENART AUDITORIUM, FOWLER MUSEUM, UCLA, Wstwd. (Lot 4, off Sunset Blvd., parking $8); Sun., Jan. 7, 1 p.m.; $18, $9 students. (310) 206-3269.

PLAS JOHNSON The Pink Panther tenor is otherwise known as an excellent blues and hard-bop player, but check out his extended work on Gerald Wilson’s “Come Back to Sorrento” ... that is some pure emotion there. With pianist Llew Matthews, bassist John Giannelli and drummer Gerryck King. Cover includes refreshments; reservations suggested. GIANNELLI SQUARE, 19451 Londelius St., Northridge; Sun., Jan. 7, 3 p.m.; $20. (818) 772-1722 or e-mail giannellisquare@sbcglobal.net.

Clubs

THE BACK ROOM AT HENRI’S, 21601 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. Intimate, affordable, good eats, full bar, coldest suds in town and one helluva house band. 8 p.m.-mid.; no cover. (818) 348-5582.

Fri.—A series of live recording nights in this room opens with tenor Pete Christlieb and trumpeter Carl Saunders, with the house’s John Hammond Trio. These two make for one of the best, perhaps the best, regular horn duets/duels in town, and will make this a great live album.

Sat.—Hammond continues recording, this time with guitar master Ron Eschete with The John Hammond Trio.

THE BAKED POTATO, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City. Fusion heaven. 9:30 & 11:30 p.m.; cover varies. Food and full bar. All ages. (818) 980-1615.

Fri.—The Michael Landau Trio with bassist Dustin Boyer, drummer Trevor Boyer.

Sat.-Sun.—Call club for info.

Mon.—Elvis Lives! With Pete Wilcox as Elvis, and drummer Clem Burke (Blondie), guitarist Danny B. Harvey (“King of Rockabilly”), bassist Trent Scroh, Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreas (“from Alice Cooper and Guns N’ Roses”) on organ, and keyboardist Don Randi.

Tues.- Thurs.—Call club for info.

CAFE METROPOL, 923 E. Third St., dwntwn. Rocco brings some rad jazz to this intimate spot. Great food, beer/wine. Music 8-10:30 p.m.; $5. (213) 613-1537 or www.roccoinla.com.

No music till Jan. 12.

CAFE 322, 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Fine Italian food at great prices, full bar — a friendly hang and a great jazz room. Full bar. Music 7-11:30 p.m.; no cover/min. (626) 836-5414.

Fri.—V.R. Smith.

Sat.—Judy Platt.

Sun.—Opera to Broadway with pianist Danny Guerrero.

Thurs.—Jazz vocalist Roger Cairns.

CATALINA BAR & GRILL, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hlywd. Modern elegance in a roomy venue. Tues.-Sat., 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.; Sun., 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.; cover varies. All ages. Full bar. Full menu. (323) 466-2210.

Fri.-Sun.—String-tapping guitarist Stanley Jordan.

Tues.—Some fiery playing in store from saxist Justo Almario with pianist Patrice Rushen, bassist Abe Laboriel and drummer Max Almario.

Wed.—Bassist Lyman Medeiros’ The Funky Supervillain CD release.

Thurs.—The Kenny Garrett Quartet. With an alto reminiscent of Bird and soprano of Trane, you know you are going to get some passionate, furious music. The occasional smoove numbers slipped onto his albums might throw the purists, but check him out ... the man uplifts the whole room. Thru Sun.

CHARLIE O’S, 13725 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys. The best jazz at this players’ hang. Big new stage setup too. No cover unless noted. Restaurant & full bar. 21 & over. (818) 994-3058.

Fri.—Highly regarded vocalist Julie Kelly with The John Heard Trio, with the stellar pianist Bill Cunliffe and drummer Roy McCurdy.

Sat.—Very hard-swinging night with saxist Don Menza and the same John Heard Trio (pianist John Beasley).

Sun.—The Karen Hernandez Trio with bassist John Heard.

Mon.—Trombonist The Geo Valle Swing City Big Band, 17 pieces; $10 cash cover.

Tues.—The Jack Sheldon California Cool Quartet. And California Cool is his latest and is indeed cool.

Wed.—Fine and entertaining stuff from The Cross Hart Jazz Experience featuring altoist Zane Musa.

Thurs.—The Don Menza Quartet. The powerful saxophonist brings along bassist Chris Conner, guitarist Mark Waggoner and drummer Steve Schaeffer.

CHAYA BRASSERIE, 8741 Alden Dr., Beverly Hills. Fun but pricey restaurant (though a not-so-pricey bar). Music from 7 p.m. No cover/min. (310) 859-8833.

Sun.—Vocalist Margo Reymundo.

CLUB 1160 at THE RAMADA HOLLYWOOD, 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Hlywd. Downstairs, low ceilings, full bar. $5, no min. 9 p.m. (323) 315-1845.

Tues.—Trumpeter Brian Swartz & the New Quintet (with excellent saxist Matt Otto). A great session, and players are welcome.

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

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

Tues.—Vocalist SonjiKimmons.

Wed.—JimmySpencer and KarenHernandez.

CROWNE PLAZA LAX HOTEL, 5985 W. Century Blvd., L.A. Restaurant and full bar. No cover. $15 min. Music 6-10 p.m. (310) 642-7500.

Tues.—KKJZ’s “Ones to Watch” with vocalist Tish Oney and her quartet.

Thurs.—The Jennifer Leitham Trio.

DINNERHOUSE M, 1263 W. Temple St., Echo Park. Music 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.; min. $6 bar, $12 lounge. (213) 482-3828.

Fri.—The Theo Saunders Trio. This man can really stretch, finding all kinds of things.

Wed.—Pianist Tom Garvin.

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.—Always fun and fired up, hard-bopping reedman Vince Meghrouni and The Downbeats.