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Manhattan Transfer's Janis Siegel does a pair of Friday night sets at Vitello's in a week featuring shows from David Sanborn, Jeff Richman, Otmaro Ruiz, Jimmy Johnson, Judy Wexler, Sony Holland, Bernie Dresel and Allen Hinds. Read more in this week's About & Out by Tom Meek.

Dee Dee discovers the music of seminal Brazilian composer Dorival Caymmi in a new CD by singer Kenia. "Here is a pleasurable excursion down musical Brazilian avenues, with our tour guide, this talented vocalist. .." Read more in the latest edition of Dee Dee's Jazz Diary.

Over the past three decades, Janis Siegel -- nine-time Grammy winner and a seventeen-time Grammy nominee -- has achieved recognition as part of the world's best-known vocalese group, The Manhattan Transfer. At the same time, Siegel has sustained a solo career including a half dozen solo albums and numerous collaborative projects. Siegel will be appearing at Vitello's Jazz Supper Club in Studio City -- one night only -- on Friday, September 10th, with shows at 8 and 10 pm. Appearing with her will be Alan Pasqua (piano) Darek Oles (bass) and Steve Hass (drums &percussion). Tickets are available at www.ticketweb.com or 818-769-0905. 

Jazz and blues singer Barbara Morrison will be celebrating her birthday with an afternoon picnic and concert from 3-7 pm in Leimert Park, 4305 Degnan Blvd. Morrison, whose vocal range is matched by an equally wide range of styles, will be backed by the 18-piece Frank Capp Juggernaut Big Band. She promises celebrity guests and a good time for all. No alcohol, please. Tickets are $35 in advance and $50 at the door. For more information, call 310-330-0178 or visit www.barbaramorrison.com.

Two formidable young vocalists, Sara Gazarek and Sachal Vasandani, will open the new jazz season at Orange County Performing Arts Center's Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa Friday and Saturday, September 24th and 25th. These two young singers have been producing music that is fresh and original while also honoring the rich jazz tradition. Recently, Vasandani won the 2010 DownBeat Critics Poll for best Male Jazz Vocals in the Rising Star category. And Gazarek was voted one of the Best New Artists in the JazzTimes Readers Poll. Tickets are available at the Center box office or by calling 714-556-2787.

One of the world's great jazz big bands, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, will take the stage in Laguna Beach on Saturday, September 25th, at 8 pm. For over 20 years, the band has flourished under the leadership of bassist John Clayton, saxophonist Jeff Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton. The concert will be held at the intimate Laguna Beach Artists' Theatre, 625 Park Avenue, Laguna Beach. For tickets and further information, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.lagunabeachlive.org. 

Saxophone giant Charles Lloyd will bring his New Quartet to the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 718 West Washington Blvd. Saturday, September 25, at 8:30 pm as part of the Jazz Bakery's "moveable feast" concert series. Lloyd, a soulful musical seeker who has been an important voice in the jazz world for the past fifty years, has led many small groups featuring exceptional players. His New Quartet, which includes Jason Moran on piano, Reuben Rogers on bass and Eric Harland on drums, has impressed listeners with their musical energy and inventiveness. Their new CD, "Mirror," is being released this month by ECM. For tickets and more information: www.jazzbakery.org. 

The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra (SJO) will perform in concert on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at UCLA's Royce Hall. Dedicated to the unique American genre of symphonic jazz, the 67-member professional ensemble, under the leadership of Music Directors George Duke and Mitch Glickman, will present the world premiere performance of "Elements," written by composer and conductor Charles Floyd. Guest artists will include Grammy-winning Brazilian jazz singer Luciana Souza and the dynamic and singer-songwriter-guitarist Raul Midón. The event begins at 8 pm. For tickets, call (310) 825-2101.