Brick WahlJazz
Concerts
RUSSELL MALONE QUARTET The talented improviser is best known as guitarist for Diana Krall and Harry Connick Jr. ORANGE COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, Founders Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Fri.-Sat., Jan. 13-14, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. (714) 556-2787.
JOYCE COOLING, THE RIPPINGTONS CERRITOS CENTER, 12700 Center Court Dr.; Sat., Jan. 14, 8 p.m. (800) 300-4345.
BEN SIDRAN It’s an educational program, titled “Jews, Music, and the American Dream.” Which means he probably won’t be doing “When a Woman Say She Ready.” SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.; Thurs., Jan. 19, 8 p.m.; $15. (310) 440-4500.
GO THE BRAD MEHLDAU TRIO After 10 years, pianist Mehldau has brought drummer Jeff Ballard into his trio with bassist Larry Grenadier. And in deciding whom to play with, he makes few mistakes. EL REY THEATER, 5515 Wilshire Blvd.; Thurs., Jan. 19, 8 p.m. (323) 936-6400. (Greg Burk)
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.—Steeped in Warne Marsh (the pair’s Apogee is one of the monster battling tenor sessions), Pete Christlieb is always a joy to hear, especially in this intimate room.With the superb John Hammond Trio.
GO Sat.—Another fine tenor, Rickey Woodard, with The John HammondTrio.
Thurs.—Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia with pianist John Hammond, bassist Jim Hughart.
THE BAKED POTATO, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City. 9:30 & 11:30 p.m. Cover varies. All ages. (818) 980-1615.
Fri.—Funky Upper Structure, with vocalist Kate Higgins, saxist Katisse Buckingham, trumpeter Jonathan Dane, keyboardist Michael Bluestein, bassist Darek Frank and drummer Chris Wabich.
Sat.—Heavy fusion from master drummer Virgil Donati with bassist Rufus Philpot and keyboardist Mitch Forman.
Sun.—Baked a Canella.
Mon.—Guitarists Jamie Kime,John Ziegler, with trumpeter Mitch Manker.
Tues.—More heavy fusion from OHM with guitarist Chris Poland, bassist Robert Pagliari, drummer Kofi Baker.
Wed.—Stolen Fish with vocalist Karen Martin-Landau, guitarist Michael Landau, bassist Chris Roy and drummer Makoto.
Thurs.—The Michael Landau Trio (with bassist Jimmy Johnson).
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.-Thurs.—Call club for info.
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.—Saxman Ian Vo, 8 p.m.; $5.
GO Sat.—The Mentones cut more popular barbed wire than bassist Steuart Liebig’s many other astral projections cuz: 1. Liebig and drummer Joseph Berardi whip insane groovitude. 2. They got the blues (and purples and other vivid world-spanning colorations). 3. The grapple of Tony Atherton’s caustic alto sax with Bill Barrett’s hell-howl harmonica just reams your guts; 8 p.m.; $5. (Greg Burk)
GO Thurs.—In from NYC is The Nick Mancini Collective, led by an exploratory young vibraphonist with two toes dipped in tradition who splashes gentle swing, understatedly bent shoogabooga and exotic undersea layerings of filtered light. Original and good. Pianist Otmaro Ruiz sits in; 8 p.m.; $5. (Greg Burk)
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.-Sat.—Vocalist Leila Avila.
Sun.—Night at the Opera with pianist Danny Guerrero.
Tues.—Jazz violinist Chris Murphy solo.
GO Wed.—The Jennifer Leitham Trio continue their weekly stay. Well worth checking out.
Thurs.—Guitarist Bobby Williams.
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.
Fri.-Sun.—The Jazz Crusaders with Wayne Henderson and Phillip Ingram. (Also, Evan’s Mixed Bag CD-release party, Sun., noon.)
Mon.—Stormy Monday, with Gene Anderson, Teddy Lee Hooker, Cosmo St. Clair and Kerol Rae.
Tues.-Thurs.—Joshua Redman Elastic Band. I keep trying to love this skilled saxist, but I usually feel like he’s holding back. (Greg Burk)
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.—Like Sonny Stitt, alto saxophonist Lanny Morgan probably tires of the Bird comparisons; and like Stitt, Morgan is one helluva fleet-fingered soloist. With The John Heard Trio (pianist Larry Fuller, drummer Roy McCurdy).
GO Sat.—And saxophonist Plas Johnson must tire of the calls for “Pink Panther.” So just listen to what he has to say through his blues-soaked horn. With the The John Heard Trio (pianist Gildo Mahones).
Sun.—Pianist Karen Hernandez, with John Heard, drummer Lorca Hart.
Mon.—Pianist Pat Tuzzolino’squartetwith Sam Most on sax/flute, drummer Billy Paul and congueroRay Armando.
Tues.—Trumpeter Jack Sheldon and pianist Ross Tompkins.
GO Wed.—Dave Pell Octet. Quintessentially West Coast cool, Pell can draw on some fine talent (such as Bob Florence and Carl Saunders) to fill out his arrangements.
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GO Thurs.—More nice arrangements (and even some of the same players) from The Phil Norman Tentet; $10.
CLUB TROPICAL, 8641 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Full bar and Salvadoran food. Cover varies. (310) 559-1127.
Fri.—Cryptonoche presents a Oaxacan take on Cuban son from Cascada de Flores.
GO Mon.—Special NAAM gig: Prepare your psyche for the electronicized mind creatures generated by Steuart Liebig’s FX boxes, along with U.K. low-register freaker Steve Lawson (“bass: the final frontier”) and our local Choir Boys (trumpeter Jeff Kaiser and saxist Andrew Pask), who loop most fantastically. All together? Yow. That’s at 7:45 p.m.; then it’s The Andrew Campbell Unit (guitarist Campbell with bassist Steve Billman, drummer Matt Starr and Emir Islay on keys). (Greg Burk)
GO Thurs.—Cryptonight presents Todd Sickafoose’s Blood Orange. See Jazz Pick.
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.—Hard-bopping Echo Parkers The Downbeats.
HOLLY STREET BAR & GRILL, 175 E. Holly St., Pasadena. Nice room; restaurant and full bar. No cover/min. (626) 440-7267.
Fri.—Latin jazz trumpeter Arturo Solar, 7-10 p.m.
Sat.—Closed.
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.—Vocalist Cheryl Barnes.
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.—Janelle Sadler.
Sat.—L.A. Jones.
Sun.—Django-isms from The Hot Fab Djazz Club.
Mon.—Pianist Marty Harris.
GO Tues.—Jazz violin from The Chris Murphy Trio.
Wed.—The Others.
Thurs.—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.—The Benny Golson Quartet with pianist Mike Ledonne, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Carl Allen backing the great tenor and classic hard-bop composer (“I Remember Clifford,” “Killer Joe”). Golson’s between-song storytelling, putting faces to the titles, is priceless. One of the greats. (Also, The McArthur Brothers, Sun., 6 p.m.)
Mon.—Hard-charging solos and impeccably tight ensemble playing from TheGordon Goodwin Big Phat Band.
GO Tues.-Thurs.—As Billy Childs’ profile gradually rises, we have more chances to decide whether musicianly respect for the pianist-composer translates to mob thrills. More on him next week.With saxist Bob Sheppard, harpist Carol Robbins, guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Jimmy Johnson and drummer Brian Blade. (Greg Burk)
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.—Angaza.
Sat. & Tues.—Marco Mendoza, Joey Heredia and Renato Neto.
Wed.—Scott Henderson with Scott Kinsey, Jimmy Earl and Gary Novak.
Thurs.—Michael Thompson,Nate Martin, Mark Meadows and Zachary Thompson.
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.—Jazz pianist Gaea Schell.
Sat.—Brazilian sounds from Billeeto.
Wed.—Cool jazz lounge vibes from The Martini Kings.
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’strio with Linda Smith.
Sat.—Sweet Heat.
Sun.—Big Al’s Jazz Jam.
Mon.—Blues with Alex Rebar.
Tues.—Frank Wilson Trio.
Wed.—Gregor Blues Quartet.
Thurs.—Scott Oakley Band.
SPAZIO, 14755 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. California cuisine. No cover; two-drink min. Music from 7:30 p.m. Full bar. All ages. (818) 728-8400.
Fri.—Bassist and vocalist Lou Schoch, with pianist Karen Hernandez and drummer Jack LeCompte.
Sat.—The Donna Deussen Quartet.
GO Sun.—Brunch with guitarist Rick Fleishman and bassist Kirk Smith from 10:30 a.m.; then, at 8 p.m., drummer Roy McCurdy leads a very talented trio with pianist Larry Fuller and bassist Darek Oles.
Mon.—Rod Rozelle and Tres-Dos Latin Jazz (including Jeff Littleton on bass).
Tues.—John Pisano’s Guitar Night with Trefor Owen,Corey Christiansen and John Stowell.
Wed.—Chuck Berghofer and the Midnight Jazz Band (with saxist Gary Foster, pianist Tom Ranier, drummer Joe LaBarbera).
Thurs.—Pianist Rich Eames with bassist Jeff D’Angelo and drummer Dick Weller.
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.
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Fri.—11 O’Clock News Band.
GO Mon.—The Cross-Hart Experience.
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.—Pianist Josh Nelson’strio with bassist Dan Lutz and drummer Matt Slocum.
Sat.—The Tom Ranier Quartet.
Sun.—Pianist John Campbell and bassist Pat Senatore duo.
Tues.—Pianist/singer John Proulx with bassist Kenny Wild.
Wed.—Bassist Pat Senatore duo.
Thurs.—Concord Records showcases one of the latest of the Oscar Peterson prodigal prodigies, Taylor Eigsti,and young Sinatra-phile vocalist Erin Boheme.
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.—Very fine lyrical trumpeter Steve Huffstetter.
GO Sat.—Call club for info.
Sun.—Tony DiGiovannni 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.—Trane-inspired saxophonist Azar Lawrence, 9 & 11:30 p.m.
GO Sat.—Steeped in the music of father Don Cherry and jazz-godfather Ornette Coleman, keyboards and melodica player David Ornette Cherry continues the tradition, leading his ensemble in a very groovy blend of jazz, funk and world rhythms, 9 & 11:30 p.m.
Sun.—Sisters of Jazz jam session, 7:30 p.m.-mid.
Thurs.—Jazz Jam Session.
Other Jazz
Nicely swinging pianist David Arnay and guest bassist perform at TheParkway Grill, 510 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena; every Fri., 7:30-11:30 p.m.; no cover. (626) 795-1001.
Vocalist Cheryl Conley, with pianist Chris Dawson, bassist Richard Giddens and drummer Paul Lines, play Delmonico’s at Paseo Colorado, 260 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; every Fri., 8-11 p.m.; no cover. (626) 844-7700.
Thom Rotella hosts the Sunday Jazz Guitar Brunch at La Vecchia, 2654 Main St., Santa Monica; every Sun., 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; no cover. (310) 399-7979.
GO Legendary pianist Gerald Wiggins, who’s been playing the local spots since the Central Avenue days,with bassist Ryan Cross, drummer Lorca Hart and vocalist Patrice Quinn at The Lighthouse Café, 30 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach; Sun., Jan. 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; $5. (310) 372-6911.
Singer Margo Reymundo performs her sultry Latin jazz at Chaya Brasserie, 8741 Alden Dr., Beverly Hills; Sun., Jan. 15, 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., 7:30-10 p.m. (626) 441-0744.
GO At Hal’s Bar & Grill: A regular with Gerald Wilson, called on for his driving solos, inspired saxophonist Louis Van Taylor plays Sun., Jan. 15, 8-11 p.m.; and guitarist Thom Rotella’s Fourtet (featuring drummer Roy McCurdy), Mon., Jan. 16, 9 p.m.-mid.; 1349 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; free. (310) 396-3105.
The Martini Kings (with vibist Frank Marsico) play their jazzy bossa exotica blend at The Derby, 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Feliz; every Mon., 9:30 p.m.; free. (323) 663-8979.
The Kevin Kanner Quartet plays The Mint, 8:30 p.m., 6010 W. Pico Blvd.; every Mon.; no cover. (323) 954-9400.
Pianist Paul Smith has played with everybody since WWII; you can find him on sessions with Ella, Sinatra, Anita O’Day, Dizzy and even Zappa (really — he played celeste on Lumpy Gravy). At The After Work Jazz Cool Down (hosted by James Janisse) at Hollywood Park Casino, 3883 W. Century Blvd., Inglewood; Tues., Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m.; no cover, no min. (310) 330-2800.
Two excellent guitarists, Ron Anthony and Barry Zweig, get together with bassist Bruce Enos at TheFour Points Hotel Sheraton LAXAtrium Club, 9750 Airport Blvd.; Tues., Jan. 17, 7-11 p.m.; no cover, no min. (310) 649-7024.
A young, powerful player, saxist Kamasi Washington woodsheds with excellent local players 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 leads the jazz jam session in The 1160 Lounge at theRamada 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 p.m.-mid.; no cover. (818) 755-5000.
Jack Sheldon’s California Cool Quartet are at Sangria,68 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach; Wed., Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m.; $5. (310) 937-4693.
Drummer Mat Marucci with his quartet of saxist Doug Webb, pianist Markus Burger and bassist Chris Conner, at The Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, 5400 W. Century Blvd.;Wed., Jan. 18, 7-10 p.m.; no cover, $10 min. (310) 216-5858, Ext. 7225.
A fine jazz improviser, pianist Mike Melvoin is joined by bassist Tony Dumas and drummer Ralph Penland at TheCrowne Plaza LAX Hotel, 5985 W. Century Blvd.; Thurs., Jan. 19, 7-10 p.m.; no cover, $10 min. (310) 642-7500.
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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 Classic jazz and blues brought very much alive by the charismatic Sweet Baby J’ai. Her quartet includes pianist Harold Land Jr., bassist Nedra Wheeler and drummer Don Littleton.At the Grill in The Westin Long Beach Hotel, 333 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach; Thurs., Jan. 19, 6-10 p.m.; no cover, $15 min. (562) 436-6536.
Interplay, with pianist Dave MacKay, flutist Lori Bell and guitarist Ron Satterfield, Thurs., Jan. 19, 8 & 10 p.m., $20; and an excellent young saxophonist, David Walker, fronts his quartet, mid., $5; at The Vic, 2640 Main St., Santa Monica. (888) 367-5299.
GO Red Holloway plays bop and blues with style and wit at The Silhouette Jazz Café, 245 E. Olive St., Burbank; Thurs., Jan. 19, 8 p.m.-mid.; no cover. (818) 556-5299.
—Brick Wahl
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