Concerts

GO HONEYCOMB WHEELS Sound that weaves a fragile abstract web to cradle your even more fragile mind, featuring some of L.A.’s best young conceptualists, Jeremy Drake (guitar twice removed), Jessica Catron (cello) and David Kendall (computer expositions). Plus Thollem McDonas, a fresh, disciplined avant-pianist from the Bay Area. CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock; Sun., Feb. 5, 7 p.m.; $10 suggested donation. (626) 795-4989. (Greg Burk)

MARIA SCHNEIDER ORCHESTRA The Gil Evans–inspired arranger scored big with Days of Wine and Roses. WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, First St. & Grand Ave., dwntwn.; Wed., Feb. 8, 8 p.m. (323) 850-2000.

Clubs

THE BACK ROOM AT HENRI’S, 21601 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. Intimate, affordable, good eats, full bar. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.-mid.; weeknights 6:30-9:30 p.m. No cover. (818) 348-5582.

GO Fri.—Saxophonist Pete Christlieb and trumpeter Carl Saunders have become one of the very best combinations in town. With TheJohn Hammond Trio.

Sat.—Guitarist Ron Eschete with The John HammondTrio.

Thurs.—Flying Pisanos.

THE BAKED POTATO, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City. 9:30 & 11:30 p.m. Cover varies. All ages. (818) 980-1615.

Fri.—Don Randi & Quest.

Sat.—Guitarist Jeff Richman, bassist Jimmy Haslip, keyboardist Mitch Forman and drummer Steve Hass.

Sun.—Vocalist Estaire Godinez, with keyboardist Peter Schimke, guitarist Sandro Albert, bassist Marc Von Wagenigan and drummer Jimmy Branly.

Mon.—Guitarists Jamie Kime, John Ziegler, with trumpeter Mitch Manker.

Tues.—The Ferocians, with guitarist Pekka Rintala, saxist Brandon Fields, keyboardist Erik Steigen, bassist James East, drummer Mark Schulman.

Wed.—Jack Shit.

Thurs.—Volto! with Danny Carey.

CAFE CORDIALE, 14015 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. A session cats’ hang; lots of fusion and jazzy R&B. Beer & wine. Music begins 9:30 or 10 p.m. No cover. All ages. (818) 789-1985.

Fri.—Masta & the Edge of Soul.

Sat.—Mystique.

Wed.—Pretty Sneaky Sis.

GO Thurs.—Funk Pioneers Plus include Arlan Schierbaum, percussionist and arranger Luis Conte, major-league funk drummer James Gadson, bassist Paul Ill, guitarists Randy Mitchell & Rick Musallam.

CAFE METROPOL, 923 E. Third St., dwntwn. Rocco sets up the jazz downtown. Food, beer/wine. Music 8-10:30 p.m. $5. (213) 613-1537 or www.roccoinla.com.

Fri.—Solo piano from Thollem McDonas, a NoCal dude with classical chops and an attractively extreme viewpoint. 8 p.m. (Greg Burk)

Sat.—? GO Kurosawa’s Sharp Three. 8 p.m.; $10.

Thurs.—Pianist Gaea Schell with bassist Chris Colangelo, drummer Tim Pleasant.8 p.m.

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

Fri.—Hard-working tenor legend Gil Bernal.

GO Sat.—Funny, lively, swinging tunes from that exceptional bassist-vocalist Kristin Korb with her very jazzy and sympathetic trio of pianist Llew Mathews and drummer Clayton Cameron.

Sun.—Night at the Opera with pianist Danny Guerrero.

Tues.—Jazz violinist Chris Murphy solo.

Wed.—The Jazz Jam Session.

Thurs.—Peter Burk.

CATALINA BAR & GRILL, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hlywd. Modern elegance. 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.

GO Fri.-Sun.—A master class in guitar from The Kenny Burrell Quintet. (Greg Burk)

Mon.—David Ashkenazy tribute to Art Blakey.

Tues.—Call club for info.

Wed.—Nick Smith Quartet.

Thurs.—David Benoit.

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

GO Fri.—Last time alto saxist Med Flory played this room he was in top form, weaving crazy stories from those high-wire bop lines, and cutting up in between. With TheJohn Heard Trio (pianist Larry Fuller, drummer Roy McCurdy).

GO Sat.—A second night of alto madness from Lanny Morgan with the same John Heard Trio.

Sun.—Pianist Karen Hernandez, with John Heard, drummer Lorca Hart.

Mon.—Pianist Pat Tuzzolino’squartet: Sam Most on sax and flute, congueroRay Armando and drummer Frank Capp.

GO Tues.—Hard bop from drummer Tony Inzalaco’s quintet with the very talented lineup of saxist Doug Webb, trumpeter Nolan Shaheed, pianist Theo Saunders and bassist Chris Colangelo.

Wed.—Jazz guitar from TheRon Anthony–Barry Zweig Quartet.

GO Thurs.—Trombonist Scott Whitfield brings in his Jazz Orchestra West (a 12-piece band).$10.

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

GO Fri.—“Electro-Balkan neotrad-dance band” Plotz! with trumpeter Daniel Rosenbloom, guitarist Jake Vossler, bassist Orest Balaban and drummer Austin Wrinkle.

Mon.—Vocalist-electronicist Theo Bleckman and drummer-percussionist John Hollenbeck duo.

GO Thurs.—Rarely seen East Coast reedman Ned Rothenberg and bicoastal bassist Mark Dresser represent the pinnacle of intelligent, original music that doesn’t forget to communicate. A superstar duo. (Greg Burk)

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

Sun.-Mon.—TheErikEkstrandTrio; each Mon. hosting the Eagle Rock Jazz Jam Session.

Tues.—Vocalist SonjiKimmons.

Wed.—JimmySpencer 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 saxman Vince Meghrouni.

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

Fri.—Great Afro-Cuban grooves from the L.A. Mambo Combo, 7-10 p.m.

Sat.—Vocalist Zola Moon.

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

Thurs.—Dee Dee McNeil.

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.—Pianist Karen Hernandez.

Sat.—Laurie Melan Quartet.

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

GO Mon.—Some very nice piano jazz with The Alexandra Caselli Trio.

Tues.—J.C. Spire.

Wed.—Bill Wysaske Quartet.

GO 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.

GO Fri.-Sun.—Getting down with Mose Allison and his bassist, Tom Warrington. (Also, at 4 p.m. Sunday: Dini Clarke with Viki Koplan.)

GO Mon.—The brilliant trombonist Bill Watrous & the USC Wild Life Refuge.

GO Tues.-Thurs.—Dedicated to the legacy of the original tenor sax hero: Benny Wallace’s Coleman Hawkins Project, with guitarist Anthony Wilson, bassist Danton Boller and drummer Alvin Queen.

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.—Ron Brown, Land Richards, Todd Hunter, Darrell Crooks, Robert Pee Wee Hill.

Sat.—Kevyn Lettau, Russell Ferrante, Mike Shapiro and Jerry Watts.

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

GO Wed.—Bobby Matos & His Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble, with saxist Frank Fontaine. His Trane tribute Acknowledgment is a very organic mix of the Afro-Cuban jazz with that New Thing thing. Bobby Matos ain’t about formulas.

Thurs.—Cartaya’s Enclave.

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.—Brazilian jazzers The Gustavo Teixiero Trio.

Sat.—Vocalist Susan Sinner.

Wed.—The Hot Fab Djazz Club.

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.—Saxophonist Michael Rose.

Sat.—Call club for info.

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

Mon.—Blues from Alex Rebar.

Tues.—Frank WIlson.

Wed.—Gregor Blues.

Thurs.—Scott Oakley.

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

Fri.—Bassist Jotty Johnson and special guest. 8-11 p.m.

GO Sat.—Soulful jazz grooves from guitarist Thom Rotella and pianist Joe Bagg, 8-11 p.m.

Sun.—Vocalist Jessica Vautor with guitarist Joel Whitley, 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.—Luis Villegas Latin Jazz Quartet.

Sat.—Vocalist Andrea Baker with pianist Ed Zach, bassist Dave Stone and the fine drummer Ralph Penland.

Sun.—Brunch with guitarist Eishun Fukui from 10:30 a.m.; then, at 8 p.m., saxist Steve Carr with guitarist Rick Fleishman, bassist Putter Smith and drummer Kendall Kay.

Mon.—Good Latin stuff with Ino Alvarez y su Descarga Cubana, including guitarists Manuel Mendoza and Mario Quiroga, bassist Reinaldo Perdroso and percussionist Ino Alvarez.

Tues.—John Pisano’s Guitar Night with the emotive picking of Barry Zweig.

Wed.—Veteran saxist Dick Hafer with a fine group: pianist Ross Tompkins, bassist Dave Carpenter and drummer Jake Hanna.

Thurs.—Bassist Chuck Berghofer & the Midnight Jazz Band with some more great players: pianist Tom Ranier, saxist Gary Foster, drummer Joe LaBarbera.

TEN20 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.

Fri.—11 O’Clock News Band.

GO Mon.—There’ll be some exciting jazz when The Cross-Hart Experience (bassist Ryan Cross and drummer Lorca Hart with pianist John Nelson) are joined by sax virtuoso Charles Owens, especially when he feels the Eric Dolphy in his bones and really gets moving.

Thurs.—Cabaret Night.

VIBRATO GRILL & JAZZ, 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel Air. Crowded with power diners early but gets jazzier later. Piano duos 6:30-8:30 p.m. No cover, $20 min. on Fri.-Sat. Sets from 9 p.m. Full bar. All ages. (310) 474-9400.

GO Fri.—Trombonist with a beautiful sound, Scott Whitfield.

GO Sat.—Trumpeter Carl Saunders also has a beautiful sound, and plays it in a zillion different ways.

Sun.—Pianist Alan Broadbent duo.

Tues.—Piano duo.

Wed.—Pat Senatore duo.

Thurs.—Sheer piano beauty and no clichés from TheAlan Pasqua Jazz Quartet. (Greg Burk)

VINTAGE CAFE & BISTRO, 2032 N. Lincoln Ave., Altadena. Great atmosphere, hearty fare, good vibe. BYO vino. Music 7-10 p.m. No cover. (626) 296-3320.

GO Fri.—First Friday of the month, and it’s trumpeter Nolan Shaheed blowing hard bop and soul.

Sat.—Call club for info.

Sun.—Tony DiGiovanni Trio jazz brunch. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tues.—Tony DiGiovanni’s cooking jazz jam.

THE WORLD STAGE, 4344 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park. Workshops on Sat. morning (junior jazz), Mon. night (drums), Tues. night (vocals). Free unless noted. (323) 293-2451.

GO Fri.-Sat.—Saxist Azar Lawrence, 9 & 11:30 pm. $10.

GO Sat.-Sun.—Learn from a legend when pianist Barry Harris leads the following clinics: piano, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; then vocals, 2-5 p.m.; and finally horns and other instruments, 5-8 p.m. Each session is $15.

Sun.—Sisters of Jazz jam session, 9 p.m.-mid.

Thurs.—Jazz Jam Session.

Other Jazz

Pianist David Arnay and bassist Tony Dumas swing the bar at the Parkway Grill, 510 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena; Fri., Feb. 3, 7:30-11:30 p.m.; no cover. (626) 795-1001.

GO The Jazz Funk Fest with (in order) harmolodics of Jes Crew with flutist Robin Carter, jazzy bloozy Freddie Ginns & Zebra Party, the Miles/Meters/Jimi funk (they tell us) of Black Show Polish with Andre Cynkin and guitarist Eddie LaGrossa, and on the AACM trane with The Vampors (with Eric Ahlberg and saxist Nick Mattoni). If this gig lives up to its press release, gonna be a good time. At Sponto Gallery, 7 Dudley Ave., Venice; Sat., Feb. 4, 7-11 p.m.; free. (310) 306-7330.

Thom Rotella hosts TheSunday Jazz Guitar Brunch with guest Mitch Holder at La Vecchia, 2654 Main St., Santa Monica; Sun., Feb. 5, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; no cover. (310) 399-7979.

Big-band sounds of The Phil Norman Tentet at The Lighthouse Café, 30 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach; Sun., Feb. 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $10. (310) 372-6911.

The Mark Miller Quartet (with pianist Jane Getz, bassist Harvey Newmark and drummer Donald Dean joining the vocalist) perform at Chaya Brasserie, 8741 Alden Dr., Beverly Hills; Sun., Feb. 5, 7 p.m.; no cover, no min. (310) 859-8833.

Inspired hard boppers Donavan-Muradian Quartet (usually with saxist Chuck Manning or trumpeter Kye Palmer) at Buster’s Coffee & Ice Cream, 1006 Mission St., S. Pasadena; every Sun., 4:30-7 p.m. (626) 441-0744.

GO At Hal’s Bar & Grill: vibist Onaje Murray plays on Sun., Feb. 5, 8-11 p.m.; and Bobby Matos plays on Mon., Feb. 6, 9 p.m.-mid.; 1349 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; free. (310) 396-3105.

GO Busy week at The Vic:the 18-piece, eight-vocalist Grammy Foundation Jazz Ensemble on Mon., Feb. 6, 8 p.m., $15; then the highly touted improvising vocalist Rhiannon returns on Wed., Feb. 8, 8 p.m., $20; and finally on Thurs., Feb. 9, it’s pianist Bill Cunliffe’s eight-piece Latin Jazz Ensemble, 8 & 10 p.m., $20, and at mid., The Nick Rosen Quartet, with bassist Rosen, trumpeter John Diversa, violist Miguel Atwood Ferguson and the exciting drumming of Kneebody’s Nate Wood, $5; 2640 Main St., Santa Monica. (888) 367-5299.

GO Drummer Winard Harper (he’s played with everyone from Dexter Gordon and Johnny Griffin to the Harper Brothers) at The After Work Jazz Cool Down (hosted by James Janisse) at Hollywood Park Casino, 3883 W. Century Blvd., Inglewood; Tues., Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m.; no cover, no min. (310) 330-2800.

Guitarist Al Viola, with flute/saxman Sam Most, bassist Chris Colangelo and very special guest vocalist Julie Morgan at TheFour Points Hotel Sheraton LAXAtrium Club, 9750 Airport Blvd.; Tues., Feb. 7, 7-11 p.m.; no cover, no min. (310) 649-7024.

Time to check out saxist Kamasi Washington at his weekly jam at 5th Street Dick’s, 4305 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park; every Tues., 9 p.m.; $5. (323) 296-0040.

Trumpeter Brian Swartz’s quintet with saxophonist Matt Otto (as well as alto Matt Zebley, pianist Brian Friedland, bassist Nick Rosen and drummer Jens Kuross) leads the jazz jam session in The 1160 Lounge at The Ramada Hollywood, 1160 N. Vermont Ave.; every Tues., 9 p.m.; $5 cover, no min. (323) 315-1845.

Cathy Segal-Garcia’s jazz jam in the Muddy Moose Lounge at The Sportsmen’s Lodge, 12833 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; every Wed., 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.; no cover. (818) 755-5000.

GO Vocalist Patrice Quinn with the very hot Cross-Hart Jazz Experience (bassist Ryan Cross and drummer Lorca Hart withpianist John Nelson)at Sangria, 68 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach; Wed., Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m.; free. (310) 937-4693.

GO Vocalist Dewey Erney & the Tom Kubis Quintet. The noted saxist/arranger Kubis has a good outfit: trumpeter Ron Stout, pianist Gerry Schroeder, bassist Luther Hughes and drummer Kendall Kay. At The Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, 5400 W. Century Blvd.; Wed., Feb. 8, 7-10 p.m.; no cover, $10 min. (310) 216-5858, Ext. 7225.

Vocalist Cynthia Jones with pianist Karen Hammack, bassist and vocalist David Jackson and drummer Paul Kreibich at TheCrowne Plaza LAX Hotel, 5985 W. Century Blvd.; Thurs., Feb. 9, 6-10 p.m.; no cover, $10 min. (310) 642-7500.

Pianist David Garfield, bassist Carlos Del Puerto and drummer Kevin Crabb play Viva Italia, 19563 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana; every Thurs., 6:30-9:30 p.m.; no cover, no minimum. (818) 996-8008.

GO Saxophonist and singer Gil Bernal, with pianist Llew Mathews, bassist Richard Simon and drummer Frank Capp at the Grill in The Westin Long Beach Hotel, 333 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach; Thurs., Feb. 9, 6-10 p.m.; no cover, $15 min. (562) 436-6536.

George Brittenham Quartet at The Silhouette Jazz Café, 245 E. Olive St., Burbank; Thurs., Feb. 9, 8 p.m.-mid. No cover. (818) 556-5299.

GO Multidisciplinary alert: “Sonic Scenery: Music for Collections” is the latest way to view the Cenozoic era and African mammals ­— accompanied by specially commissioned recorded music. If that seems weird, the artist list is impressive: the Sun Ra Arkestra, Ozomatli, Autolux, Jon Hassell, Matmos, David J, Stephen Hartke, Nels Cline, Languis and Nobody. At TheNatural History Museum of Los Angeles, 900 Exposition Blvd., L.A., opens Fri., Feb. 3; thru May 3; $9, $6.50 children. (213) 763-DINO or www.nhm.org. (Greg Burk)

—Brick Wahl

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