*Doors open at 6pm. Dinner starts promptly at 7pm.* San Diego Jazz Orchestra makes their debut performance at LouLou’s with a powerhouse lineup of top tier So-cal musicians led by Matt Hall and Louie V. SAXES:  Alto I: Christopher Hollyday Alto II: Charlie Arbelaez  Tenor I: Chaz Cabrera  Tenor II: Dick McGuane Baritone: Bradley Nash BONES: Lead: Jordan Morita 2nd: Jeanne Geiger 3rd: Dave Scott Bass: Kevin Malmgren  TRUMPETS: Lead: Billy Edwall Split Ld: Brad Steinwehe 3rd: Paul Seaforth  4th: Karl Soukup  RHYTHM:  Guitar: Louis Valenzuela Piano: John Opferkuch Bass: Doug Walker Drums: Tyler Kreutel VOCALS: Dave Scott 

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE San Diego’s beloved singer/songwriter Chloe Lou Liddell fronts The Sidelong Glances, keeping the flame of traditional country music burning in San Diego with a honky-tonk A-team of Shae Moseley, drums; Philip McArdle, Telecaster; and Tom Ward, bass. Some Patsy and Dolly, some Willie and Waylon, all Country and Western. 

The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble is a 9 piece, heavy, mostly instrumental funk band from San Diego, CA. Their influences are vast and include Hip Hop groups like Wu-Tang Clan and De La Soul, as well as funk and soul masters like Isaac Hayes, The Meters, and James Brown. Their last two LPs debuted in the top 15 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Chart. SFSE is equally at home in the studio as they are on the stage, where their original songs transform and take on new life through live performance. They have shared the stage with Kamasi Washington, Quantic, Lee Fields, Monophonics, Jungle Fire, and most recently served as backing band for Hip Hop legend, Big Daddy Kane. The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble are definitely still on a roll coming off of their fourth studio LP for Colemine Records, Step Down, which debuted at #14 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. They released a live album in 2023 on All-Town Sound. 

*DOORS OPEN AT 6PM | NO DINNER SERVICE | SHOW ONLY* Table reservations are available for table side cocktail service. Get ready to groove with this organ trio over dinner and a show at Lou Lou's Thursday night Supperclub in sunny San Diego! Comprised of seasoned musicians Zak Najor on Drums, Will Blades on organ, and Alex Ciavarelli on guitar, this organ trio delivers an electrifying blend of jazz, funk, and soul that will have you tapping your feet and nodding your head all night long. 

Independent artist and musician Madison McFerrin has come into her own. Madison holds a fruitful and robust solo career with three self produced EPs and numerous performances and curatorships across the country and internationally. Madison’s distinct vocal and meticulously layered stylings of a capella and self-harmonizing culminate in work that blends the genres of R&B, pop, soul and jazz, all with a sense of softness. Her genre-bending work has led to Questlove dubbing her early sound “soul-appella,” AdHoc to describe her work as “an oasis of serenity,” and The FADER noting how Madison’s “warm harmonies feel effortless.” The throughline of Madison’s work is independence and she is often looking towards a kind of inner liberation. Whether she is writing about understanding one’s intuition and inner beauty or the cyclical violence of anti-Blackness and sexism, Madison explores how to get free and how to care for oneself along the way. In this, Madison works at the intersection of artistry and community building. She often looks back and honors a Black music canon while creating her own unique style, utilizing her voice as a central instrument and drawing upon lifelong inspirations like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Erykah Badu, Pharell, Missy Elliot, and the Spice Girls. She is in community with other artists, cultural workers, and activists, and has been able to prioritize the work of women and POC in her curatorial tenures at venues like C'mon Everybody, the WNYC Greene Space and the BRIC Jazz festival. The result of Madison's work is an enduring commitment to finding ways to think better, express ourselves honestly, and nurture a sense of possibility. 

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE Clifford Morin is an eclectic Saxophonist, multi-woodwind instrumentalist, producer and composer based out of Philadelphia. As a free lance musician Clifford regularly performs and records with many different style’s of music in NYC, Philadelphia, and Europe. Clifford has a BM in Jazz Performance from West Chester University where he studied with first call broadway woodwind musician Greg Riley and world renowned Jazz trumpeter and EVI player John Swana. Clifford also has a MM in Jazz Performance from Philadelphia's Temple University as well as attended Amsterdam Conservatory of Music (Netherlands) during his graduate studies. During his time at Temple university he was second alto in big band lead by Terell Stafford. He had the opportunity to perform at venue’s such as Jazz at the Lincoln center’s Appel Room, Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club, Kimmel Center, Amsterdam Blue Note and Bimhuis along side artist’s such as Jon Faddis, Joe Lovano, Jimmy Heath, John Clayton, René Marie, Sean Jones, Tim Warfield, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts, Ann Hampton Calloway, Steve Coleman and Rodney Green. While at Temple he studied with Virtuosic Tenor Saxophonist Ben Schacter, world renowned woodwind and lead alto saxophonist of the Thad Jones Mel Lewis Jazz orchestra (Village Vanguard) for the last 40 years; Dick Oatts, along with other artist’s such as Tim Warfield, Warren Wolf, Mike Moreno, Jeff Tain Watts, Peter Bernstein, Alex Sipiagin and Rodney Green. 

*Doors open at 6pm. Dinner starts promptly at 7pm.* Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised in Fresno, California, Gilbert’s musical career was preordained; the only son to his eponym father, a touring Cumbia band leader, singer and arranger, Gilbert was strongly influenced by his predecessor’s deep appreciation for classical composers and big band jazz ensembles, broadening young Gilbert's horizons from an early age. Gilbert Sr. strongly encouraged Gilbert toward the Jazz genre when at first he showed an interest in trumpet at age 6. By age 11, Gilbert’s intensive training and education provided the context to begin playing professionally, and at age 15 he preformed with mentor and icon Dizzy Gillespie at the Monterrey Jazz Festival. A fierce advocate of formal jazz education, Gilbert held the position of Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music from 2001 to 2013. Thereafter, he served as the Artistic Director of the International Academy of Jazz San Diego from 2014-2016, during which time he began conducting high school workshops and developing a more proactive role in mentorship. During his time visiting Title I schools, he recognized a need for increased accessibility to formal education, noting that many truly gifted students were deprived the opportunities to further their education due to monetary constraints. Thusly, in 2016 Castellanos founded the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory based in San Diego, California. Using his influence in a burgeoning Jazz community, one he is credited in large with establishing, Gilbert began successfully soliciting donations for and supporting thousands of dollars of scholarship to finance Conservatory Education Equity for economically disadvantaged students of promise. To date, the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory has graduated hundreds of bright musicians of diverse backgrounds with Gilbert serving as personal mentor and advocate for each, often writing college recommendation letters and offering every one of his students "real world" experience each Wednesday evening at ensemble performances 

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS Specializing in wind instrument performance through live effects pedals, Fresh Veggies (Micro Brass) has appeared alongside notable bands/artists as Too Many Zooz, Earthless, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Fishbone and Adrian Terrazas-Gonzalez along with performing at popular festivals Lightning in a Bottle, Same Same But Different, North Park Music Festival and Bad Vibes Good Friends Festival. Fresh Veggies also features members of local San Diego powerhouse bands, The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, Chunky Hustle Brass Band, Finnegan Blue, Juicebox and the Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio. The Fresh Veggies sound draws inspiration from wind-powered groups like Too Many Zooz, Moon Hooch and Youngblood Brass Band but in a metal and pop-punk context reminiscent of legendary artists like My Chemical Romance and Black Sabbath. The result is a "fresh" and bombastic performance unhindered by the limitations of traditional guitar-based bands with jazz-like dynamic range and an orchestral level of nuanced execution drawing on influences by all types of brass bands from New Orleans-style second line to Balkan brass bands to Mexican Banda. Fresh Veggies Micro Brass is proud to champion the next evolution of amplified music with the ultimate goal of generating more public awareness of sustainable, clean-eating habits; urban farming; and food desert issues across the nation. 

Formed in the Summer of 2019, San Diego-based, 17-piece Latin powerhouse, Maracuyá, specializes in presenting the highly energetic Afro-Latin Pop music known as, "Timba." Led by percussionist Diego Velasquez, Maracuyá is composed of well-established Latin music heavyweights who, along with performing and touring nationally and internationally, are active members in the San Diego and Los Angeles communities. *All seating is first come, first served. Parties arriving separately or late are not guaranteed available tables. Bar Area seating is limited and first come first served. When all available seats are occupied, the remaining venue is standing room only.* 

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE POCKETCANDY is a funk, RnB, NuJazz group founded and led by a duo: Guitarist Ian Patrick Cler and saxophonist Ross Rizzo. While releasing many singles of their unique arrangements, their musical presence in San Diego has been well recognized. Upon request of many, this May, POCKETCANDY will be recording a live EP at Lou Lou’s Club. The night will feature Ian Patrick Cler (guitar), Ross Rizzo (saxophone), Durell Anthony (vocals), Justin Joyce (drums), Harley Magsino (bass), and Lucas Dominguez (piano/organ). It will be a night of “sugar-coated funk.” 

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE “Davies can sing a song in any key.” ~John Opferkuch She’s the embodiment of turning Emotion into art via song. Come enjoy an audible spin with Davies through her world of Jazz as lived through her eyes, heart, soul and voice. Joining Davies will be John Opferkuch on piano, Joe Amato on guitar and Fernando Gomez on drums. 

*Doors open at 6pm. Dinner starts promptly at 7pm.* Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised in Fresno, California, Gilbert’s musical career was preordained; the only son to his eponym father, a touring Cumbia band leader, singer and arranger, Gilbert was strongly influenced by his predecessor’s deep appreciation for classical composers and big band jazz ensembles, broadening young Gilbert's horizons from an early age. Gilbert Sr. strongly encouraged Gilbert toward the Jazz genre when at first he showed an interest in trumpet at age 6. By age 11, Gilbert’s intensive training and education provided the context to begin playing professionally, and at age 15 he preformed with mentor and icon Dizzy Gillespie at the Monterrey Jazz Festival. A fierce advocate of formal jazz education, Gilbert held the position of Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music from 2001 to 2013. Thereafter, he served as the Artistic Director of the International Academy of Jazz San Diego from 2014-2016, during which time he began conducting high school workshops and developing a more proactive role in mentorship. During his time visiting Title I schools, he recognized a need for increased accessibility to formal education, noting that many truly gifted students were deprived the opportunities to further their education due to monetary constraints. Thusly, in 2016 Castellanos founded the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory based in San Diego, California. Using his influence in a burgeoning Jazz community, one he is credited in large with establishing, Gilbert began successfully soliciting donations for and supporting thousands of dollars of scholarship to finance Conservatory Education Equity for economically disadvantaged students of promise. To date, the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory has graduated hundreds of bright musicians of diverse backgrounds with Gilbert serving as personal mentor and advocate for each, often writing college recommendation letters and offering every one of his students "real world" experience each Wednesday evening at ensemble performances 

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE Since 2013, Alvino and the Dwells have been rocking audiences with their classic guitar and reverb inspired big beat instrumental music. The trio consists of David Fleminger on guitar, with brothers Tony and Didier Suarez on double neck guitar/bass vi and drums respectively. They are an impressive musical jukebox, playing dozens of period instro-mentals along with their original compositions 

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE "The future of classic country is Kimmi Bitter" as Saving Country Music boldly states. Driven by a hyper-obsession with the 1960s, Kimmi Bitter & the Westside Twang create a soundscape that blends old-school country with surf rock, psychedelic twangs, and a touch of mod flair. Creating a buzz from her grassroots efforts and vigorous touring, her debut album “Old School” hit the ground running in 2024 landing at #24 on the Americana Album Radio Chart with “My Grass is Blue” debuting on the Americana Single Radio Chart. This ain't your typical Nashville sound. "Old School" is a love letter to the Countrypolitan golden age, with a healthy dose of reverb-drenched twang and rock-n-roll swagger thrown in for good measure. Harmony-stricken ballads “My Grass is Blue” and “I Dream of You” have grown comparisons of a time when Patsy Cline with The Jordanaires overtook radio airwaves. Saving Country Music called "My Grass is Blue" "solid country gold," nominating it for Single of the Year alongside the likes of Charley Crockett and Sierra Ferrell. Though driving her career independently, Bitter is no stranger to building up her accolades. She found recognition in her hometown winning Best Country/Americana Artist and “My Grass is Blue” was nominated for Song of the Year by the San Diego Music Awards 2023. Her breakout album also skyrocketed to #1 on the Alt. Country Specialty Charts. 

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE Smoke and Mirrors Sound System came about as a response to the Covid Lockdown. John Roy (Unsteady/ English Beat) was stuck in his closed music rental shop with no prospect of a show. He took scraps of ideas he’d sequenced and with the idle hours, he began forming songs. John reached out to dozens of musicians he’d met touring over the decades and came up with multiple albums’ worth of material, including his favorite covers from his youth. Songs are reimagined as reggae/ska/rocksteady/dub to give them a toe-tapping, head-bobbing groove. Immediately after live music was allowed to reemerge, John gathered together his favorite players in San Diego, Tijuana and Los Angeles turning the imaginary into live 11 piece band! Check out a set, packed with classics and originals to fill the dance floor. 

w/ TONY MOLINA From the opening seconds of “Life Is,” it’s clear that Here in the Pitch is a very different kind of album from Jessica Pratt. The revered Los Angeles artist has become one of the most singular and distinctive songwriters of her generation, largely through the bewitching sound of her acoustic guitar and vocals: a mystical, elusive blend that conjures deep emotional responses from her devoted (and patient) audience. To introduce her first release in half-a-decade, however, we are greeted by neither her breathtaking vocals nor the delicate, sophisticated strum of her guitar. Instead, Pratt’s fourth album begins with a percussion roll that nods instantly to the grand, orchestral style of ’60s pop hits like the Walker Brothers’ “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore.” Northern California native Tony Molina has a restless, multi-faceted musical personality. He got his start playing in hardcore bands, but over time developed two distinct styles that are very far removed from that sound. Initially under the name Ovens, then as a solo artist, he crafts bite-sized chunks of melodic pop that can be broken into two sub-headings: quiet acoustic guitar-led ballads and noisy electric songs that sound like Teenage Fanclub with J Mascis and the Fastbacks' Kurt Bloch spearheading a dual guitar attack. 

Jazz bassist Rob Thorsen maintains a diverse and busy schedule in Southern California as a performer, educator, clinician and composer. He has found his true voice in the upright bass and performs regularly as a leader with artists including the Mike Wofford/Holly Hofmann Quartet, Gilbert Castellanos, Charles McPherson, Steph Johnson and a host of others. Rob has released six recordings as a leader, “Bass is the Space - Solos and Duos” featuring an array of jazz talents including Joshua White, Steph Johnson, Gilbert Castellanos and Marshall Hawkins in duo and solo performances. His most recent release is "So In Love" — a 10-track album with his wife/lead vocalist Steph Johnson featuring songs from Cole Porter, Joni Mitchell, and others. Jazz education plays an important role in his career. He teaches at Gilbert Castellanos Young Lions Jazz Conservatory, The La Jolla Athenaeums “The World Of Jazz” as well as teaching privately. In 2010 Thorsen created “Jazz an American Art Form,” a highly successful jazz educational program that features his quartet and is presented to over 8,000 students annually in primarily under-served communities. He is also involved with and performs with the Voices of Our City Choir, a soul-jazz choir created by his wife Steph Johnson for people experiencing homelessness in San Diego. Joining Rob on June 20th for supper club at Lou Lou's will be Melonie Grinnell on piano, Richard Sellers on drums, with special guest vocalist, Steph Johnson and Gilbert Castellanos on trumpet. 

*ALL SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED | NO DINNER SERVICE* “Under the direction of Isaac Pastrana, the Gaslamp Quarter Jazz Orchestra is Southern California’s premier 18 piece jazz ensemble. Swinging to sold out crowds for over 8 years, the GQJO has developed an exciting and refined approach to classic and modern repertoire. The Gaslamp Orchestra brings together an impressive and diverse lineup of the area’s top musicians, and has featured artists such as Gilbert Castellanos, Eric Reed, Melissa Morgan, and Francisco Torres. Inspired by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, the GQJO pays homage to traditional big band music while also presenting contemporary compositions and arrangements, often written by members of the band. Make reservations early to join the Gaslamp Quarter Jazz Orchestra at Lou Lou’s for a night of swing and contemporary classics by Quincy Jones, Duke Ellington, John Clayton, and more. 

*GENERAL ADMISSION | ALL SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED | NO DINNER SERVICE* “Jazz Group of the Year” nominee, The Lao Tizer Band, make their debut appearance at Lou Lou’s Club @ The Lafayette Hotel on Saturday, July 20 in support of their forthcoming August 2024 album & video release AMPLIFY. The new release is a major evolution for the group and includes 5 new original vocals and 4 new original instrumentals, with an all-star cast. The project was recorded and filmed all LIVE at legendary EastWest Studios in Hollywood with simultaneous 7-camera video shoot and a legendary cast of musicians. Joining keyboardist, bandleader and former “Best New Jazz Artist” nominee, Lao Tizer for the show are American Idol star, Elliott Yamin - vocals, drum phenom, Tony Austin (Kamasi Washington), Grammy-winning percussion legend, Munyungo Jackson (Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder), sax & flute wunderkind, Danny Janklow (MONKestra, Shelea), and Rolling Stone “2022 Bassist of the Year” nominee, Anthony Crawford (Jeff Lorber, Erykah Badu). Please join us as the group takes you on a high-energy musical ride through a variety of flavors and styles with an all-star cast of musicians. 

“No jazz musician of the past 60 years has more palpably channeled the sound of Charlie Parker than alto saxophonist Charles McPherson.” – Jazziz Alto saxophonist and bebop legend Charles McPherson celebrates his 85th birthday, with his quintet featuring trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, pianist Randy Porter, bassist Rob Thorsen, and drummer Tyler Kruetel. One of the most acclaimed and beloved voices in jazz, McPherson’s rich musical style is rooted in the blues and bebop and has influenced and inspired generations of musicians and listeners for over six decades. He has performed at concerts and festivals around the world with jazz greats like Barry Harris, Billy Eckstine, Nat Adderley, Jay McShann, Phil Woods, Wynton Marsalis, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, and others. In a recent review, Downbeat states, “As a still-vibrant jazz veteran with ties to innovators like Charles Mingus and Lionel Hampton, McPherson’s writing carries on the traditional weight of bebop and swing, buoyed with an inventive, contemporary spark.” Charles McPherson was born in Joplin, Missouri and moved to Detroit at age nine. After growing up in Detroit, he studied with the renowned pianist Barry Harris and started playing jazz professionally at age 19. He moved from Detroit to New York in 1959 and performed with Charles Mingus from 1960 to 1972. While performing with Mingus, he collaborated frequently with Harris, Lonnie Hillyer, and George Coleman. Mr. McPherson has performed at concerts and festivals with his own variety of groups, consisting of quartets, quintets to full orchestras. Charles was featured at Lincoln Center showcasing his original compositions 15 years ago, and once again joined Wynton Marsalis and J@LC Orchestra in April, 2019 honoring his 80th Birthday where they arranged and performed 7 of Charles’ iconic original compositions. Charles has toured the U.S., Europe, Japan, Africa and South America with his own group, as well as with jazz greats Barry Harris, Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Nat Adderly, Jay McShann, Phil Woods, Wynton Marsalis, Tom Harrell, Randy Brecker, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, and others. McPherson has recorded as a guest artist with Charlie Mingus, Barry Harris, Art Farmer, Kenny Drew, Toshiko Akiyoshi, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. He has recorded as a leader on Prestige, Fantasy, Mainstream, Discovery, Xanadu, Arabesque, Capri, Smoke Sessions and several smaller labels in Europe and Japan. Charles was the featured alto saxophonist in the Clint Eastwood film “Bird,” a biopic about Charlie Parker. Charles has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Don Redman Lifetime Achievement Award and an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from California State University San Marcos. Widely recognized as a prolific composer, Charles is now Resident Composer for the San Ballet where he has written three original suites plus two arrangements for chamber music and jazz combos. His most recent albums, Jazz Dance Suites and Reverence, have both been highly acclaimed. Jazz Dance Suites is a compilation of two of multiple movement suites, “Sweet Synergy Suite” and “Song of Songs”, plus a movement from a string chamber work, “Reflection, Turmoil & Hope.” Many critics, including DownBeat Magazine, recognized JAZZ DANCE SUITES as one of the best Jazz Recordings of the year. It’s also won the honor of TWO Reader’s Polls – both DownBeat and JAZZTIMES as #1 & #4 Jazz Album of the year, plus Charles was named Artist of the Yeai. Read all the reviews here. Charles was most touched by his peer’s comments. Bobby Watson said, “A masterpiece.” John Beasley and Don Sickler both said, “I had no idea you are such a great writer.” Reverence, just released on Smoke Sessions Records, has thus far received glowing reviews. Soon Dr. Donnie Norton will compile the entire book of Charles’ compositions for publication. During the pandemic, Charles was as busy as ever online all over the world – from the esteemed Global Music Foundation, Detroit Symphony programs, many jazz festivals, and a new recording coming up from Germany where he is a soloist, several artists in residence programs from MSU to ASU. McPherson remains a strong, viable force on the jazz scene today. Throughout his six decades of being an integral performer of the music, Charles has not merely remained true to his Be Bop origins, but has expanded on them. Stanley Crouch says in his New York Times article on Charles, “he is a singular voice who has never sacrificed the fluidity of his melody making and is held in high esteem by musicians both long seasoned and young.” Wynton Marsalis, a longtime admirer says: “Charles is the very definition of excellence in our music. He’s the definitive master on this instrument. He plays with exceptional harmonic accuracy and sophistication. He performs free-flowing, melodic and thematically developed solos with unbelievable fire and an unparalleled depth of soul.” Charles is a frequent guest at universities all over the world and also teaches privately. Many of his former students have gone on to have careers of their own in jazz, and have earned National Jazz Student Awards. Charles had the honor of being the subject of then PhD candidate Dr. Donnie Norton’s Doctoral Dissertation: “The Jazz Saxophone Style of Charles McPherson: An Analysis through Biographical Examination and Solo Transcription.” For more info, visit: CharlesMcPherson.com