Nick Mancini 4Tet

Nick Mancini 4Tet

Fri, Jan 16

Nick Mancini - Vibes Allen Mezquda - Alto Sax Jake Leckie - Upright Bass Charles Ruggiero - Drums Nick Mancini's journey in the world of jazz is nothing short of remarkable. Starting his professional career as a rock drummer at the young age of 17, he has evolved into an internationally recognized virtuoso jazz vibraphonist and composer. His dedication to jazz led him from upstate NY to the bustling streets of NYC to LA, and ultimately, Tulsa OK; where he remains an in-demand musician and performer world-wide. Mancini feels his career truly took flight in the vibrant LA creative music scene. He has left an indelible mark in the industry, earning accolades and recognition from peers and audiences alike. DRUM Magazine's Reader's Poll named him "Best Jazz Percussionist" on vibes and in 2011 was named honoree at the Los Angeles Jazz Vibes Summit. Throughout his career, Nick has shared the stage and collaborated with an array of musical luminaries, from Arturo Sandoval to Kamasi Washington. He’s performed at legendary venues in New York, LA, and around the globe, from Scandinavia to Australia, making him a truly international artist. Not only is Nick Mancini a dynamic performer and composer, but he is also a dedicated educator. Since 1998, he has maintained a private teaching studio which has served well over 150 students, he taught vibes and was a jazz combo coach at the California State Universities at Northridge and Long Beach, and taught vibraphone at the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute. Now he is the Coordinator of Jazz Studies at the University of Tulsa. 

HighNote Recording Artist: Thom Rotella

HighNote Recording Artist: Thom Rotella

Sat, Jan 17

HighNote Recording Artist: Thom Rotella -guitar Featuring: Lenny Castro- percussion Wil Blades - organ And from NYC, HighNote recording artist: Brandon Sanders -drums Brandon Sanders and Thom are both in top 10 on national radio charts... Thom Rotella is nothing if not comprehensive, but then protean talent is an essential requirement for any successful studio musician. It's a prerequisite. For years, Rotella was among the handful of household-name musical artists who populated dozens of Hollywood first-call lists for recording sessions, concerts, club dates, TV shows, television commercials, film scores and more. Just a few of the artists who've engaged Thom Rotella's exceptional talent include Frank Sinatra, Norah Jones, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Nicks, Carly Simon, Debbie Harry, Burt Bacharach, Four Tops, the Beach Boys, Phil Spector, Lionel Richie, Bette Midler, Donna Summer, Seth MacFarlane, Don Was, Luciano Pavarotti, David Foster, Herb Alpert, Tom Scott and Cher as well as such GRAMMY winning jazz artists as Diane Schuurr, Stanley Turrentine, Gregg Karukas and Bill Cunliffe. And such Fortune 500 companies as Ford, Goodyear, Cadillac, Chevrolet and Taco Bell have availed themselves of Rotella's creative expertise by commissioning his original compositions for their ad campaigns and television commercials. And more often than not, that's Thom Rotella you're hearing on The Family Guy and American Dad among many others. We've also appreciated Thom's original music and performances on TV's Ellen DeGeneres Show, Extra, Sex and the City and China Beach. Additionally, he's lent his talents and imagination to any number of film soundtracks including Ted, Ted 2, Splash, Same Time Next Year, The Gods Must Be Crazy, Rumblefish, Mississippi Masala and many more. He also performed and composed an original score for the 2015 romantic comedy film Altos. In addition, Thom Rotella enjoys a multi-faceted career as a member of that exclusive club of studio musicians who've achieved an enviable notoriety and ubiquitous presence on today's popular music charts and broadcast radio. He's not only one of the most notable and enduring fixtures on L.A.'s studio scene but also an artist who routinely scores on both the smooth jazz and straight-ahead jazz charts. In 2019, Thom received a call from his old friend, producer and jazz guitarist, Chris Standring who, somewhere in the conversation, promised him a hit single. That single, "Eddie's Ready" an homage to the great jazz artist Eddie Harris, went to Number One on Billboard's Smooth Jazz charts. And Rotella's subsequent releases have all charted in the top twenty, including "Street Talk," Number One on Smooth Jazz radio and #3 on the Billboard charts and "Soul Kitchen" Number One on Watercolors. The guitarist's previous project titled Say Hey! is a compilation of all his hit singles plus some new bonus tracks. In addition Rotella is gigging with his 4tet, that features sax titan Ernie Watts. His latest straight-ahead jazz CD "Side Hustle" on HighNote Records, a followup to his album Storyline, is a nod to the jazz organ trio records the 60's. It features jazz legend Roy McCurdy on drums and Columbus, Ohio organist Bobby Floyd. And guest spots by Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Eric Alexander on tenor and Lenny Castro on percussion. Kendall Kay (drums) and Gregg Karukas(organ) step in for the final track. The release date is 8/23/24 and is his 14th CD. 

Hot Club of LA - Django Reinhart's Birthday Celebration

Hot Club of LA - Django Reinhart's Birthday Celebration

Fri, Jan 23

HOT CLUB OF LOS ANGELES - 2025 Experience the Magic of Gypsy Jazz... Hot Club of Los Angeles, hailed by Jackson Browne as “an LA treasure”, is a nuevo Django quintet that showcases gypsy jazz-based instrumentals, vocal numbers sung in French, Roma, and Russian, straight ahead jazz repertoire, a unique blend of film music selections, and its own gypsy jazz-inspired originals. The group’s LP, Cinema Swing, has earned rave reviews in the US and Europe. https://www.hotclubofla.com/ Formed in 2011, the band includes an A-List of LA-based musicians: Josh Workman (guitar) Jake Bluenote (guitar/vocals) Paul Eckman (upright bass) Carl Byron (accordion/piano/vocals) Jim Doyle (drums/vocals) "Hot Club of Los Angeles keeps Gypsy Jazz alive." -LA Weekly “This band is an LA treasure.” -Jackson Browne “Best live music experience in town!” -Mike Myers, Santa Monica Arts Commission "Hot Club’s brand of virtuoso, Django-style 1930s gypsy swing jazz is found nowhere else and even if it was, it couldn’t possibly be this good. These guys are masters, individually and collectively. You will find it hard to stop smiling all night." - Santa Monica Daily Press "First class all the way" - Midwest Record "The album has dazzling guitar and keyboard solos and interplay with refined subtle energy that keeps the listener totally engaged. This is clean, refreshing music – gypsy jazz made new again." - Glide Magazine 

Bobby West Trio

Bobby West Trio

Sat, Jan 24

Bobby West- keys Kevin O'Neal - bass Lyndon Rochelle - drums "Where has Bobby West been all my life?" -Downbeat 2023 Bobby West’s critically-acclaimed debut, Leimert Park After Dark 2021, followed by Big Trippin' in 2023, both reached Top 20 on the jazz charts and Top 10 roots charts. Bobby’s powerful command of the keyboard ignites an audience with his unique sound, classical technique and thundering chords. Bobby has performed worldwide with Kamasi Washington, Branford & Wynton Marsalis, Pharoah Sanders, Roy Hargrove, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, to name a few out of thousands. Continually performing abroad, Bobby only appears once a year in the US. 

Brian Charette B3 Funk Party Ft. Danny Carey (TOOL)

Brian Charette B3 Funk Party Ft. Danny Carey (TOOL)

Fri, Jan 30

Brian Charette, Doug Webb, and Tool drummer, Danny Carey, have played in many configurations over the last few years all over southern California. They are joined at The Grape by Grammy winning guitar ace, Shane Theriot and Andy Sanesi on percussion. Theriot hails from the soulful swamps of New Orleans. His resumé is formidable; guitarist for The Neville Brothers, musical director for Hall and Oates, and appearances with a who's who of modern music. Andy Sanesi is a Los Angeles based drummer, He is currently the drummer for living legend Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and also plays with Missing Persons whom he has played with for the last 5 years. His own band Blanco Diablo has a residency at The Mint in LA and plays regularly at other venues. Drummer and Ventura favorite, Danny Carey is a rhythm master. His burning beats and slick time changes have propelled Tool for the last 35 years. Carey is fluent in all forms of jazz and funk drumming and the combination with Charette's bass line is infectious. Saxophonist, Doug Webb, is a So-Cal instrumental music gatekeeper playing with every major jazz act in LA and jazz luminaries like Horace Silver and pop icons such as Rod Stewart. Brian Charette is a maverick of the Hammond organ. The bicoastal keyboardist is currently #2 on the Downbeat Critic's Poll for organ and #6 for keyboards. Charette will lead this all star group through a wild romp of Hammond B3 classics and original funk not to be missed! 

Barrelhouse Wailers

Barrelhouse Wailers

Sat, Jan 31

Swing Dancing! The Barrelhouse Wailers are an 8-piece powerhouse collective from Ventura, California that seamlessly blend traditional style hot jazz and vintage blues with original compositions to create a sound that's as timeless as it is electrifying. With their roots deeply embedded in the rich soil of American musical traditions, this dynamic ensemble has been captivating audiences since 2013 with their high-energy performances and masterful musicianship. Driven by their passion for authenticity and innovation, The Barrelhouse Wailers deliver a sonic experience that pays homage to the classics while pushing the boundaries of contemporary music. Their infectious energy and tight-knit chemistry on stage promise an evening of entertainment that will have you on your feet and moving to the rhythm. They have released 2 albums featuring original music and standards, “Day In, Day Out” 2019 and “Never Look Back” 2023 Both albums are available for digital download on Bandcamp and on all major streaming platforms. Karen Parkhouse - Vocals/Percussion Todd Temanson - Banjo David Leoncavallo - Bass Jim Wade – Tuba John C. Webb - Clarinet/Saxophones/Flute/Vocals Skabone Stan Middleton- trombone (Justin Kirk- 1/31) Max O'Leary- trumpet Bob Peyton- drums For more information, music, videos, and upcoming shows, please visit http://www.thebarrelhousewailers.com/. Follow us on : Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBarrelHouseWailers Instagram: @barrelhousewailers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BarrelhouseWailers 

Phoenyx Big Band

Phoenyx Big Band

Fri, Feb 06

A local favorite, Phoenyx Big Band plays Swinging standards and unique Pop arrangements. Big band era jazz and swing with a modern twist as the Phoenyx performs standards by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and spices things up with pop classics by Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Carole King, and more! With Featured vocalist, Sophie Holt. Led by Burt Gutierrez on guitar. 

Freddie Ravel Quartet

Freddie Ravel Quartet

Sat, Feb 07

Freddie Ravel, known worldwide as the Keynote Maestro, is a pianist, composer, and chart-topping recording artist whose blend of classical, jazz, rock, and Latin-infused soul bridges generations and cultures. With over 1,500 performances in 84 countries and 9.5 million streams worldwide, and as a GRAMMY-winning project creator with #1 hits like "Sunny Side Up" and "Blissin'," he invites audiences into an immersive musical journey full of groove, melody, and transformation. Freddie Ravel- keys/vocals Michael O'Neill - Guitar Larry Antonino - Bass Lucio Vieira - Drums/Perc 

TD Lind & The Aviators

TD Lind & The Aviators

Wed, Feb 11

TD Lind & The Aviators is an indie rock band out of Southern California driven by old-soul storytelling, brawny vocals, and larger-than-life sound. Born in England, TD Lind signed a record deal at 19 years old and has since toured America and Europe for the last 30 years, sharing the stage with Sting, Bad Company, Wilco and many others. He has 4 critically-acclaimed albums, the last being produced by legendary producer Glyn Johns. In 2022, TD Lind joined up with producer and bassist David Franz (Iyeoka, Underground Sun), saxophonist Karl Hunter (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), drummer Greg Weiser (Danny McGaw), and guitarist Sam Kulchin (The Caverns). They are known for their unforgettable live shows, as featured on their “Into the Light” album, recorded and released in 2023. Their debut studio album “Golden” was released on August 21, 2024. 

Cristo Osorio

Cristo Osorio

Fri, Feb 13

Cristo Osorio is a singer/guitarist and multi-talented artist from Barcelona, Spain. His globally acclaimed and distinctive musical style is a blend of his ancestral Roma roots, broad global influences and a charismatic artistic vision that interweaves the infectious rumbas of Catalonia's Barcelona with the fiery bulerías of Andalusia and the rich rhythmic traditions of Afro-Cuban music resulting in a unique tapestry, Flamenco\Latin & World Music Project. The artist has collaborated and recorded with Los Angeles-based phenomenal artists, such as East Los Angeles’ most celebrated drummer & musician, Joey Heredia. Known for his dynamic fusion of funk, Latin, and rock rhythms. Nyofu Tyson, jazz bassist and Turkish saz player with their creation of Ist/West band and the release of several cd’s blending a fusion of Turkish music, Jazz and Flamenco with popular single releases in Istanbul, Turkey. Cristo Osorio’s vision went further to write, arrange and record with renowned jazz saxophonist, Azar Lawrence, who returned after two decades to release his album Speak the Word. This outstanding artist, Cristo Osorio, stands out as one of those guided by the greatest flamenco artists of the 20th & 21st centuries: Sordera Family, Fernando de la Morena, Juan Moneo “El Torta”, Manuel Junquera “El Moraito” as well as many others. Global Performances: His native Spain, Queen & King of Norway, Royal Family of Morocco, Cannes Film Festival, France, the British Isles, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, continents of Africa and Asia. Recognized for his theatrical brilliance, sold out performances in Eastern Europe: Theatres such as: Laznia Nowa Theatre, Krakow, Poland; Arsmondo Festival at Opéra national du Rhin, Strasbourg France; Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie (National Museum Warsaw) Poland; Potkulcs Klub Budapest, Hungary; Bolero Club Kharkiv, Ukraine. Americas: Arena Monterrey in Mexico City, Mexico. New York, Lincoln Center and other venues. Los Angeles: The World Stage, Topanga Performing Arts Center, Beverly Hills, Beyond Baroque, Fountain Theatre, Minotauro Bar, Temple Bar, La Vilie Rock & Blues Club, Ford Theatre, Charlie O’s and many private engagements. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1FPCUydhDA/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cristoosorio93?igsh=MTExYmRjMTlkcXZ5YQ== YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@cristoosorio1606 REVIEWS Cristo Osorio, ' Master of Flamenco Music & World Media Music Rhythms, from Barcelona, Spain, weaves a unique canvas of musical tapestry and visual artistry to present a performance dynamic, insightful and mind blowing full of flamenco, pure, Latin sounds, visual effects and masterful rhythms.' 'A powerful resonance! A voice pure flamenco! An undeniable talent to absorb and master a plethora of music and rhythms from around the globe. The artistry of Arab, Gamelan, Eastern Gypsy music, culture and dance, Celtic, Jazz, Blues, Country, Rock, Latin, Soul & Funk. And of course the Art of Flamenco from his native country, Spain.' 'He has performed from across the European continent, British Isles, from África to Asia, the Américas and everywhere in between. For royalties and dignitaries. With his powerful and charismatic presence, he can bring you to joy and tears at the same time and leave you wanting more.' Cristo Osorio------- Singer, Guitarist John Villalobos----- Cuban Tres, Guitar. Victor Baez---------- Congas, percussion. Dominique Rodriguez----- Percussion, drums. Alba Sol ---------- Chorus Singer, dancer. Claire Salvador----- Chorus Singer. Plus Guest artist 

Alex Robinson "I Really Oughta Tell You" Album Release

Alex Robinson "I Really Oughta Tell You" Album Release

Sat, Feb 14

Alex Robinson, vocals Sophia Trevor, piano Jesse Katz, bass Karo Galadjian, drums Jordan Leicht, sax Steven Robinson, trombone Joe Terry, trumpet Alex Robinson is a jazz vocalist, pianist, composer, and arranger whose warm, velvety tone and playful improvisational spirit bring new life to the Great American Songbook. Based in Southern California, Alex moves effortlessly between jazz, pop, and soul, blending sophistication and heart in every note. Her upcoming debut album, I Really Oughta Tell You (produced by Tony Guerrero), showcases her gift for storytelling through song—balancing elegance, wit, and emotional depth. Alex has been featured at the Stanford Jazz Festival, Festival of Arts Laguna Beach, and Jazz Roots at the Adrienne Arsht Center, and has graced stages from Los Angeles to the open seas as an Entertainer Pianist with Disney Cruise Line. Whether interpreting beloved jazz standards or sharing her original works, Alex invites listeners into an experience that's both joyful and deeply human—a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and connection through music.