Jazz clubs guide

Babe's & Ricky's Inn

Talk about O.G. hipsters: Laura Mae Gross picked up her swagger in Mississippi in the 1920s, and brought it to California. Her Bar-B-Q joints have had different names and locations over the years, but a love for jazz and blues has remained intact. She's now a celebrated icon in the jazz community. In 1994, Peter Jennings gave her props on the ABC Evening News for the contributions Babe and Ricky's has made in the South Central community. You can't buy that kind of street cred! Check out Mickey Champion on Monday nights, and for God's sake order the catfish.

Baleen

We've all had to make that tough decision on a Friday or Saturday night: Should I go to the jazz club or the yacht club? It's a frustrating dilemma. Luckily, the folks at Baleen Restaurant at the Portofino were gracious enough to give us live Jazz music from 9 p.m. to midnight, hereby ending our conundrum. They take pride in their martinis, so put them to the test while you're waiting for the rib eye.

The Blvd

There seems to be a connection between hotel bars and live jazz performances, and the pairing is as welcome as an olive on a toothpick. Mix it all together (shaken, natch), and you have Jazz Martini Night, every Wednesday at the Blvd Lounge at the Four Seasons. Maybe the hotel connection works because jazz has a versatile appeal, and won't scare away legitimate guests. Or maybe jazz enthusiasts just enjoy going to a hotel they don't planning on staying in.

Bordello

Everything that happens at Bordello is influenced in some way by the jazzy history of the location. The cabaret performances, the live musicians, the DJs; everyone pays tribute to the music that made the scene here, from its days as Little Pedro's to its rebirth as Bordello in 2006.

Catalina Bar and Grill

It only looks like a parking garage until you get inside. For over 20 years, Catalina has been looking at the future of jazz, with a deep respect for its storied past. As such, their upcoming line-up is as impressive as the list of musicians who've already played here including the late, legendary Dizzy Gillespie.

Fat Sam's Grand Slam at Teddy's

Teddy's - 7000 Hollywood Blvd. - Hollywood

It's a rule that once went unspoken, but never violated: guys wear ties, ladies wear dresses. At Danny Masterson's weekly upscale jazz night, it's not just a way to score style points, it's the only way you're getting in. (Ties are available at the door for $20, but, c'mon, wear a suit.) It's difficult to get that classy, stylish vibe from a turntable, so Fat Sam's features a live band of jazz, blues and funk virtuosos to give you what DJ Kid Millionaire can't.

The Foundry on Melrose

If there's anything more intoxicating than live jazz music, it's absinthe. Coincidentally, both have a criminal past: Absinthe was recently legalized after a long ban in the U.S., and jazz was the preferred music in speakeasies during the prohibition. Well, they've both been acquitted, so head to the Foundry on Thursdays from 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Grand Star Jazz Club

Because "Grand Star Jazz, Karaoke, Hip-Hop, Pop and Electro-Dance Club" would sound a little stupid, wouldn't it? This place has a little bit of everything, with live jazz on the first floor, and a dance floor upstairs. It's kind of like flipping back and forth between KJAZZ and Power 106. It's perfect for those nights when a full commitment to jazz sounds a little daunting.

Hal's Bar & Grill

Few places take their jazz this seriously. On Sunday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Mondays from 9 p.m. to midnight, Hal's hosts live jazz by world-renowned musicians, with the occasional unannounced appearance by even more famous artists. With rock stars like Brian Chase from the Yeah Yeah Yeah's moonlighting as occasional jazz musicians, you'll find the OGs at Hal's. Jazz this rich should have a cover charge, but you won't find one here.

Jazz Bakery

It's called a Bakery, but they're not making pastries. This non-profit jazz theater doesn't allow any food inside, although you can purchase beer and wine at a cafe in the lobby to enjoy during the show. With perhaps the most exhaustive jazz calender in town, the Jazz Bakery has something going on almost every night of the week.

Lafayette & Trumbul Tuesdays at Bardot

Bardot - 1735 N. Vine St. - Los Angeles

Among the many admirable features of the jazz musician, is the ability to adapt and improvise. They're like the MacGyvers of music; Herbie Hancock could have made an entire album with nothing more than a turkey baster and a can of Creamsicle Shasta, and it would have been classic. But their most iconic instrument is the trumpet. Check out trumpeter Stewart Cole as he leads a jazz/rock fusion group on Tuesdays at Hollywood's hottest hideout.

Paradise Piano Bar & Restaurant

The premiere gay jazz club is in Long Beach? Why not?! West Hollywood would have been too obvious, and Echo Park would have been confusing. The impressive cocktail list is always changing, and there's live music every night. Come watch Jason Weber on Mondays, and get a double dose on Sundays with Rob Klopfenstein in the afternoons and Sonji Kimmons in the evenings.

Red White + Bluezz

This wine-centric Pasadena lounge is distinctly American, from the star-spangled moniker to the questionable pluralization. How fitting that they feature world-class Jazz musicians every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Check out the Sunday brunch, always a good time for Jazz. Try an Ella "Fizz"gerald cocktail with your signature omelette.

Spazio Restaurant

The ideology at Spazio is that if you're going to have legendary jazz musicians playing each night (and they do), you better have some sound quality to go with it. A state-of-the-art sound system and well-tuned piano guarantee your "jazz supper" experience is more like a legitimate concert than a race to finish your food and get out.

Vibrato

As any stuffy old music historian will point out, jazz is the only true American musical art form. (These historians either consider hip-hop to have its origins in Jamaica, or don't consider hip-hop to be music, in which case we need to talk). To that end, Vibrato is a celebration of all things uniquely American, including contemporary American food and live jazz. The walls are adorned with bronze busts of the early greats, like Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker, while the modern greats sit at the piano, live and in person. To find out what you're getting into, check out the YouTube video for owner Herb Alpert's "Bittersweet Samba".