Live Jazz: Sue Raney at Vitello’s

By Don Heckman

Studio City, CA.  Sue Raney was at it again last night at Vitello’s, offering a pre-New Year’s Eve seminar in jazz singing.  And, yes, I know the word “seminar” has an academic inference that doesn’t really capture the full quality of her performance.  But there was no denying the effectiveness of Raney’s demonstrations of how to bring a far-ranging variety of songs fully to life.

Singing with the prime accompaniment of pianist Tom Ranier’s trio, with bassist Trey Henry and drummer Ray Brinker, she offered a program overflowing with classic songbook items, seasoned with a few rarely heard songs.  Over the course of her twenty or so selections, she chose songs rich with emotions, both romantic and otherwise, that favored her stylistic blend of expressive feelings and lyrical phrasing.

Sue Raney

There were many musical highpoints, beginning with the Ranier trio playing a briskly swinging “If I Were A Bell,” before Raney embarked on her evening’s fascinating musical journey.  Along the way, she spent time with one classic after another: “Here’s To Life,” “Some Other Time,” “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” (both done in unexpectedly rhythmic renderings), “It Could Happen To You” and, appropriately, “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”

Add to that the less often heard but no less appealing “Emily,” “Aren’t You Glad You’re You,” “Time Was” and “Don’t Look Back.”

Occasionally, Raney combined pairs of songs with similar subjects into medleys.  The pairing worked well with “Once Upon A Summertime” and “The Summer Knows,” in part because of Michel Legrand’s atmospheric melodies.   Another pairing – “When the World Was Young” and “Young and Foolish” – was a less successful blend of songs with very different lyrical and musical orientations.

There were more, but regardless of what Raney sang, it resonated with the qualities that have made her a classy performer since her first album When Your Lover Has Gone (produced by Nelson Riddle) was released in 1958: a warm, richly-timbred voice soaring freely over a good three or four octaves; articulate phrasing; communicative, lyrical story-telling; and a brisk sense of swing.

Not bad for a singer who turned 72 in June.  But Raney is still in prime creative form, with many songs and much music still to go.  Don’t miss her next appearance.

Photo by Faith Frenz.

 To read an iRoM review of a previous Sue Raney performance click HERE.

Live Jazz: Eddie Daniels Upstairs at Vitello’s

By Don Heckman

Eddie Daniels

Eddie Daniels’ reputation as a gifted jazz clarinetist and saxophonist is secure. Always respected for his remarkable, genre-crossing clarinet abilities, his multi-woodwind work (especially tenor saxophone and clarinet) established him, as far back as the ‘60s, as a player at ease as a sideman and a soloist, comfortably expressive in jazz, classical music and beyond.

Some, but not all, of those attributes were on display Friday night Upstairs at Vitello’s.  Making one of  his infrequent trips to the Southland from his Santa Fe home, Daniels was performing with the backing of the sterling L.A. trio of pianist Tom Ranier, bassist Mike Valerio and drummer Steve Schaeffer.  Despite minimal rehearsal time, the cohesion between the players was an impressive display of prime, improvisational music making.

Starting with a briskly rhythmic arrangement of “Stompin’ At The Savoy,” Daniels played with the high flying pyrotechnics that have stamped him as one of the very few world class practitioners of the jazz clarinet.  Other tunes followed in a similar pattern, with Daniels’ fast fingers setting the pace.

When he switched to tenor saxophone for a few numbers, only the instrument changed; his style, with its emphasis on virtuosic technique, remained constant.

Tom Ranier, Eddie Daniels, Mike Valerio, Steve Schaeffer

Ranier’s soloing often provided an attractive counterpoint, especially in those passages in which he opened his lines to allow space for his improvising to breathe.  So, too, for Valerio and Schaeffer, working as a solid team.  Like Ranier, they provided textures that were supportive, airy and rhythmically alive.

But there was no denying Daniels’ extraordinary mastery of the clarinet.  Classically trained, frequently performing classical pieces, his improvisational range seems limited.  One could wish, however, for him to not make every solo into a note-filled excursion across the entire range of the instruments.  Instead, it would have been intriguing to hear him offer more of the sort of warm sensitivity provided by the woody timbres of the clarinet’s chalumeau register.

Given the rarity of his L.A. performances, however, it was a distinct pleasure to hear Daniels in action, especially with such superb backing.  Hopefully, there will also be an opportunity in the near future to hear him classically, as well.  A presentation of the Copland Clarinet Concerto with, say, the L.A. Philharmonic or the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra would be a great start.

Photos by Bob Barry. 

Picks of a Holiday Week: July 4 – 8

By Don Heckman

Los Angeles

Barry Manilow

- July 4.  (Wed.)  Barry Manilow and July 4 Fireworks Spectacular.  A high energy celebration of the 4^th.  With one soaring Manilow hit after another, a lot of patriotic music from the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by Sarah Hicks.  And the usual spectacular pyrotechnics.  Hollywood Bowl.   (323) 850-2040.

- July 6 & 7 (Fri. & Sat.)  Rodger Fox’s Wellington Jazz Orchestra.   A big jazz band from New Zealand?  They’re in town to make a recording, while giving Angeleno jazz fans a taste of jazz from the other side of the world.  Should be interesting. Vitello’s.    (818) 769-0905.

Deana Martin

- July 6 & 7 (Fri. & Sat.)  Deana Martin.  Yes, she’s Dean Martin’s daughter, and the musical inheritance is obvious.  But it’s the way Deana  transforms that inheritance into her own expressiveness that makes her such an intriguing singer.  She’s backed by the stellar trio of Mike Lang, Chuck Berghofer, Jim Fox and Steve Schaeffer.  Catalina Bar & Grill.   (323) 466-2210.

- July 7. (Sat.)  Pete Christlieb Quartet.  Saxophonist Christlieb is at the top of everyone’s first call list – for big band jazz, small group, whatever.  And with good reason.  Here’s a chance to hear him in the spotlight, backed by Tom Ranier, piano, Pat Senatore, bass and Kendall Kay, drums.  Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.     (310) 474-9400.

- July 8. (Sun.)  Hiroe Sekine.  Pianist/composer/singer Sekine celebrates the release of her new CD, After the Fall.  With Larry Koonse, guitar, Bob Sheppard, saxophones, Edwin Livingston, bass, Aaron Serfaty, drums.  Vitello’s.    (818) 769-0905.

San Francisco

- July 6 – 8. Fri. – Sun.)  Roy Ayers.  Vibraphonist Ayers moved quickly beyond his bebop roots into early jazz funk and, more recently, into funk, house music and other pop/jazz crossovers.  Yoshi’s Oakland.   (510) 238-9200.

New York

Carmen Lundy

- July 5 – 8. (Thurs. – Sun.)  Carmen Lundy.   Lundy is not only a gifted jazz singer, she’s also a talented songwriter, approaching both skills with a rich palette of musical creativity. The Blue Note.   (212) 475-89592.

- July 6. (Fri.)  Mark Helias: The Parlance of Our Times.  Bassist Helias leads alto saxophonist Tim Berne, trumpeter Kirk Knuffke and drummer Mark Ferber in an exploration of “the lexicon of composition and improvisation practices presented over the last few decades.”   Cornelia St. Cafe.    (212) 989-9319.

London

- July 6 & 7. (Fri. & Sat.)  Jimmy Cobb, Joey DeFrancesco and Larry Coryell Trio.  A tribute to Jimmy Smith by a great trio of all-stars.  It would be hard to imagine three guys who could do it better.  Ronnie Scott’s.   020 7439 0747.

Paris

John Scofield

- July 6. (Fri.)  John Scofield’s Hollowbody.  In his Hollowbody bands, guitarist Scofield sparks the creativity by juxtaposing his unique skills against other guitarists.  This time out, he’s working with guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, as well as bassist Ben Street and drummer Bill Stewart.  New Morning Paris.   01 45 23 51 41.

 

Live Jazz: The Gary Foster Quartet at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.

By Don Heckman

It’s always a good night at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. when the club’s Music Director, bassist Pat Senatore, books some of L.A.’s finest players for a laid-back, quasi-jam session performance.  On Friday night, it was a quartet led by alto saxophonist/flutist Gary Foster, with pianist Tom Ranier, drummer Ramon Banda and Senatore.  In two sets of far-ranging tunes, they affirmed – as happens so often at Vibrato – the skill and imagination that courses through the Southland’s impressive community of resident jazz artists.

Gary Foster

Foster will be the first to acknowledge that his playing contains traces of sound and substance influenced by his close friend and occasional musical companion, Lee Konitz.  But what he does with those qualities is completely his own – a style rich with melody, even in briskly swinging up-tempos, enhanced by articulate, always intriguing rhythmic phrasing.

Ranier’s style, equally expressive, underscored by his classical roots – was the perfect creative counter for Foster, made even more empathic by the fact that Ranier is also a saxophonist and clarinetist in his own right.

The program of material, seemingly selected on the fly, ranged from familiar Songbook standards to a few jazz classics (many of which were equally indebted to chord changes from standards).  The Johnny Mercer/Jimmy Van Heusen classic “I Thought About You” was the opener, a perfect vehicle for Foster to demonstrate his warm tone and lyrical phrasing.  Other, similarly memorable ballads followed: Tadd Dameron’s “If You Could See Me Now”; Heusen and Johnny Burke’s “It Could Happen To You”; and a lovely bossa nova from Clare Fischer, featuring Foster’s soaring flute lines.

Faster lines were delivered with crisp, enthusiastic drive, underscored by Senatore’s solid, in-the-pocket bass lines and Banda’s percussive enthusiasm.  Among the most memorable: Ranier and Foster motoring in unison through a fast-fingered Konitz-Marsh line based on the chord changes of “Out Of Nowhere”; a Tadd Dameron bebop classic – “Hot House” – based on the changes of “What Is This Thing Called Love?”

A well balanced program, in other words, performed by a quartet of players thoroughly capable of bringing it to full musical life.  And fully characteristic of the sort of first rate jazz that can be found on almost any given night at Vibrato.  Now, if we could just persuade the crowd at the bar to pay as much attention to the music as they do to each other…

Picks of the Week: May 29 – June3

By Don Heckman

Los Angeles

- May 30. (Wed.)  Gene Cipriano.  “The World According to ‘Cip”  Veteran saxophonist Cipriano, backed by a band of L.A.’s veteran jazz artists, in an evening of stories and song.  His stellar band includes trombonist Dick Nash, pianist Tom Ranier, bassist Trey Henry and drummer Ralph Humphrey.  Vitello’s.    (818) 769-0905.

- June 1 & 2. (Fri. & Sat.) Steve Smith and Vital Information.  Former Journey drummer Smith has been leading the crossover jazz ensemble Vital Information for nearly three decades.  And the band continues to be one of the most accomplished musical pathfinders in contemporary jazz.  Catalina Bar & Grill.  (323) 466-2210.

Chris Botti

- June 2. (Sat.)  Chris Botti.  Trumpeter Botti is the world’s best selling jazz artist and with good reason.  Not only is he a player with a uniquely personal sound, inventive ideas and a brisk sense of swing – he’s also a performer who knows how to create a connection with his audience.  The Greek Theatre.     (323) 665-5857.  Click HERE to read a recent iRoM review of a Botti performance. 

- June 2. (Sat.)  John Daversa Quartet.  Versatile trumpeter Daversa channels his impressive abilities as a composer/instrumentalist into the improvisational setting of his quartet.   Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.    (310) 474-9400.

- June 2. (Sat.) Grupo Falso Baiano.  The San Francisco based group cruises through traditional and contemporary choro music, blending their dynamic interpretations with a cross-genre seasoning of jazz, flamenco and beyond.  LACMA.   (323) 857-6000.

Johnny Mandel

- June 2. (Sat.)  Johnny Mandel Big Band.  The great composer/arranger/songwriter makes one of his rare appearances, leading a stageful of L.A.’s finest players in a program of his lush, atmospheric charts. Vitello’s.    (818) 769-0905.  Click HERE to read a recent iRoM review of a Mandell performance. 

- June 3. (Sun.)  Phil Norman Tentet.   Little/big band West Coast jazz of the ‘50s is alive, in briskly swinging contemporary fashion, in the music of the Tentet.  Pasta Sunday at Vitello’s.     (818) 769-0905.  Click HERE to read a recent iRoM review of a Tentet performance. 

San Francisco

- May 31. (Thurs.)  Eliyahu & the Qadim Ensemble.  Ney flutist Eliyahu leads an ensemble performing music ranging across the entire Middle East: Arabic, Jewish, Turkish Sufi, Armenian, Ladino, Moroccan and beyond.  The Qadim’s players include Rachel Valfer Sills on oud and vocals, Faisal Zedan on Arabic percussion, and Gari Hegedus on Turkish saz and oud.   Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse.    (510) 644-2020.

Chicago

- May 31 – June 3. (Thurs. – Sun.)  The Pat Martino Trio. Guitarist Martino’s remarkable recovery from a near fatal brain aneurysm in 1980 has been astonishing.  His most recent album, Undeniable: Live at Blues Alley hit #1 on the jazz charts.  Jazz Showcase.    (312) 360-0234.

New York

Dee Dee Bridgewater

- May 29 – June 2. Tues. – Sun.)  Dee Dee Bridgewater.  The superb jazz vocalist has had seven Grammy nominations and three wins, as well as a Tony award for her appearance in The Wiz. This time out she shares a celebration of her 62^nd birthday with her listeners.  The Blue Note.    (212) 475-8592.

- June 3. (Sun.)  Jane Ira Bloom.  “All Ballads.”  Bloom, who has been quietly defining an appealing use of the soprano saxophone in contemporary jazz, offers an evening of instrumental balladry.  Cornelia St. Café.    (212) 989-9319.

London

- May 31 – June 2. (Thurs. – Sat.)  The Ronnie Laws/Tom Browne band.  A pair of veteran players who know all the ins and outs of jazz with a funk accent.  They’re backed by pianist Jason Rebello, bassist Karl Rasheed and drummer Will Calhoun.   Ronnie Scott’s.    020 7439 0747.

Paris

- June 1. (Fri.)  Joan Armatrading.  British born, three time Grammy nominee Armatrading has been working the crossover areas between pop, jazz and the blues since the late ‘60s.  And she’s still doing it impressively.  New Morning.    01 45 23 51 41.

Tokyo

Jim Hall

- June 3 – 6. (Sun. – Wed.)  Jim Hall Trio.  He’s every guitarist’s favorite player – and a lot of other instrumentalists’ favorite, as well.  Pat Metheny has described Hall, and with good reason, as “the father of modern jazz guitar.  He performs with Scott Colley, bass and Joey Baron, drums.  Blue Note Tokyo. 03-5485-0088.

* * * * * *

Photos of Chris Botti, Johnny Mandel and Dee Dee Bridgewater by Tony Gieske. 

Picks of the Week: May 15 – 20

By Don Heckman

Los Angeles

Jack DeJohnette

- May 15 – 20. (Tues. – Sun.)  Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke celebrate Jack’s 70^th birthday. It would be hard to ask for a more stellar trio than this.  Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear three authentically iconic jazz artists performing together.  Catalina Bar & Grill.   (323) 466-2210.

- May 16. (Wed.)  Gary Foster/Tom Ranier Quartet.  And speaking of stellar, here’s a quartet — including Putter Smith, bass and Joe LaBarbera, drums – that shines pretty brightly, as well.  They may be based solely in L.A., but they’ve got world class jazz credentials..  Vitello’s.    (818) 769-0905.

- May 16. (Wed.)  Bern.  Drummer Bernie Dresel leads his 12 piece, supercharged, funk-driven band in an evening at the Valley’s newest jazz room.  The Federal.   (818) 980-2555.

- May 17. (Thurs.)  Annie Trousseau.  This multi-lingual world music sextet is led by Colombian/America singer/songwriter Ana Maria Lombo in a program reaching from Edith Piaf to Antonio Carlos Jobim. Vibrato.    .(310) 474-9400.

Barbara Cook

May 19. (Sat.)  Barbara Cook. Tony Award-winning (for Music Man) Cook has been concentrating on cabaret and concert music for the past four decades.  And, at 84, she is still a captivating singer.  Valley Performing Arts Center.  (818) 677-3000.  The Valley Performing Arts Center regretfully announces that due to an unexpected reaction to medication, Barbara Cook has been forced to postpone her performance originally scheduled at the Valley Performing Arts Center Great hall on Saturday, May 19, 2012.  This concert has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 8 pm.  Tickets for the May 19 date will be honored on June 30.  Requests for refund must be made to the VPAC box office by June 5.

- May 19. (Sat.)  Elaine Stritch.  “Singin’ Sondheim…One Song at a Time.”  One of the great, charismatic Broadway performers, Stritch makes her Disney Hall debut with what will surely be a memorable program.  Disney Hall.    (323) 850-2000.

 

- May 19. (Sat.) Luckman Jazz Orchestra.  A Tribute to Charlie Parker.  The LJO pays much deserved tribute to alto saxophonist Parker, one of the two or three most powerfully influential figures in the history of jazz.  Luckman Performing Arts Center. (323) 323-4600.

San Francisco

- May 18 – 20.  (Fri. – Sun.)  The Brad Mehldau Trio. Firmly established as a vital, influential pianist, Mehldau’s current group – with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard — has set high standards for the contemporary jazz piano trio.  An SFJAZZ 2012 Spring Season event at the YBCA Forum.  (866) 920-5299.

Roy Haynes

Washington, D.C.

- May 17 – 20. (Thurs. – Sun.)  The Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band. The name is well chosen for drummer Haynes, who – at 87 – continues to superbly lead groups consisting of players young enough to be his grand children.  Blues Alley.   (202) 337-4141.

New York

- May 15 – 19. (Tues. – Sat.)  Joey DeFrancesco Trio with special guest George Coleman. It’s a great combination – the effervescent B-3 organ drive of DeFrancesco with the solid, blue-inflected saxophone of Coleman.   Birdland.    (212) 581-3080.

- May 16 – 19. (Wed. – Sat.)  Brian McKnight and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. The rich, golden voice of McKnight surrounded by the incomparable Ellington Orchestra timbres – should make for a great musical evening.  McKnight’s  The Blue Note.    (212) 475-8592.

- May 17 – 20. (Thurs. – Sun.)  The Gil Evans Centennial Project.  Directed by Ryan Truesdell.  A different Evans program will be presented on each night by a prime New York big band, reaching from Evans’ work for the Claude Thornhill Band to his own recordings in the ‘50s and ‘60s.  The Jazz Standard.  /red/index.html  (212) 576-2232.

London

- May 16 – 18. (Wed. – Fri.)  Al Di Meola World Sinfonia.  Always versatile, moving across stylistic areas with ease, guitarist Di Meola’s current group cruises affectingly through lush harmonies and stirring world rhythms.  Ronnie Scott’s.   020 7439 0747.

Lynne Arriale

Berlin

- May 16. (Wed.)  The Lynne Arriale Trio featuring Benny Golson.  Pianist Arriale and veteran composer and saxophonist Golson get together for some lively, cross-generational jazz.  A-Trane.    030 / 313 25 50.

Milan

- May 17 & 18. (Thurs. & Fri.)  Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin. Guitarist Ritenour and keyboardist/composer Grusin are long time musical companions, recording and playing together frequently over the yeas.  Hopefully they’ll offer some selections from their superb Two Worlds album. The Blue Note Milano.    02.69.01.68.88.

Picks of the Week: Dec. 19 – 25

By Don Heckman

Los Angeles

- Dec. 19. (Mon.)  The Klezmatics.  Somewhere between Eastern European Jewish music, ecstatic Middle Eastern sounds and the rhythmic lift and improvisations of jazz is the territory in which the Klezmatics practice their musically creative magic.  Disney Hall.

Jessica Molaskey and John Pizzarelli

- Dec. 20. (Tues.) Jessica Molaskey and John Pizzarelli.  A Swingin’ Christmas. One of the jazz world’s most engaging couples.  Individually and together, Molaskey and Pizzarelli bring a warm amiability, a sometimes wild sense of humor, and irresistible musicality to everything they do.   Disney Hall.

- Dec. 20. (Tues.)  The 6^th Annual Broadway Christmas.  Once again, Upright Cabaret and Catalina’s celebrate the holiday with a stellar line up of Broadway stars singing a program of familiar favorites.  With Sam Harris, Lesli Margherita, Jake Simpson, Kelli Provart, Carla Renata, Arielle Jacobs and many more.  Catalina Bar & Grill.    (323) 466-2210.

- Dec. 22. (Thurs.)  Candlelight Carols.  If it’s the week before Christmas, it’s time to be a part of the annual Christmas carol singalong with pianist Judy Wolman and the Sing! Sing! Sing! Singers.  This year’s celebration takes place in the atmospheric, candle-lit setting of Santa Monica’s beautiful Victorian Mansion.  Sing! Sing! Sing!.

Nancy Sanchez

Dec. 23. (Fri.)  Nancy Sanchez.  Still young enough to be finding her way, jazz singer Sanchez is displaying all the signs of possessing a significant musical future.  Catch her now, so you can say you saw her when… Steamers.  (714) 871-8800.

- Dec. 24. (Sat.) The Tom Ranier Quartet. Ranier, always fascinating to hear, turns up the creative intensity in the company of trumpeter Steve Huffstetter, bassist Pat Senatore and drummer Dick Weller.  Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.  (310) 474-9400.

Seattle

- Dec. 22 – 23. (Thurs. & Fri.)  Tingstad and Rumbel.  An acoustic holiday celebration with the long-together duo of guitarist Eric Tingstad and oboeist Nancy Rumbel, performing seasonal songs in the warm and intimate acoustic style that has been heard on 19 albums since the mid-‘80s.  Jazz Alley.   (206) 441-9729.

New York

- Dec. 19 – Jan. 1, 2012. (Mon. – Mon.)  Chris Botti.  The hugely popular jazz trumpeter  continues his epic, three week-long string of  holiday performances, celebrating the season with two sets a night of memorable music, climaxing on the first night of the new year.  The Blue Note.   (212) 475-8592.

Freddy Cole

- Dec 20 – 24. (Tues. – Sat.)  Freddy Cole.  The appealing singing and piano playing of Cole, who turned 80 in October, has been having a much-deserved rush of popularity lately, as audiences have begun to appreciate that he is far more than the younger brother of Nat “King” Cole.  Birdland.    (212) 581-3080.

London

- Dec. 19 – 23 (Mon. – Fri.)  Ray Gelato and the Giants.  Saxophonist/singer/bandleader and all-around entertainer, Gelato’s performances recall the upbeat, delightfully engaging music of Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan, Louis Prima and more.  The London Evening Standard, rightfully describes him as “arguably the only British jazz artist with a proper stage show.”  Ronnie Scott’s.   020 7439 0747.

Tokyo

- Dec. 21 – 23. (Wed. – Fri.)  The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.  One of the Southland’s great musical contributions to the world of big band jazz, the CHJO players bring their intriguing arrangements (mostly written by John Clayton) and irresistibly swinging ensemble playing to the jazz fans of Japan.  The Blue Note Tokyo.    03 5485 0088.

Live Jazz: The Eddie Daniels Quartet at Vitello’s

By Don Heckman

Clarinetist Eddie Daniels’ masterful performance at Vitello’s Friday was – as his appearances often are – a gripping reminder of his instrument’s adventurous jazz past, present and future.

Eddie Daniels

For the first half of the jazz century, the clarinet was one of the music’s key voices.  Vital to the New Orleans style, a virtual celebrity instrument in the hands of Swing bandleaders such as Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Woody Herman, its presence remained high, until it ran into hard times – and diminished interest — with the arrival of bebop in the ‘40s and beyond.

A few hardy souls labored on through the forests of bop, with Buddy DeFranco one of the principal pathfinders.  Others arrived over the next few decades, with the numbers of adroit clarinetists increasing in recent years.

Daniels, who was celebrating his 70^th birthday two days earlier, has been producing memorable work – on tenor saxophone, as well as clarinet – since he arrived on the scene with the Thad Jones–Mel Lewis Orchestra in the mid-‘60s.  An authentic classical artist as well as a superb improvising musician, the only thing missing from his Vitello’s performance would have been his own unique take on something such as the Larghetto from the Mozart Clarinet Quintet.

Tom Ranier, Eddie Daniels, Darek Oles

But no matter.  What renaissance man Daniels did play was largely astounding, sometimes even more than that.

Joe LaBarbera

Start with his utter mastery of an instrument whose technical demands more often produce mediocre results than the sort of articulate clarity that Daniels tossed off with almost casual ease.  Backed by the confident, interactive support of pianist Tom Ranier, bassist Darek Oles and drummer Joe LaBarbera, he concentrated upon clarinet – except for a pair of jovial jaunts on his tenor saxophone through “They Say That Falling In Love Is Wonderful” and an original Daniels piece that somehow managed to convincingly blend tango with bossa nova.

Tom Ranier

Among the clarinet highlights: Ranier’s delightfully re-invented version of the old Benny Goodman classic, “Stealin’ Apples”; and a wildly audacious flight through an equally new-view version of Charlie Parker’s “Bye-Bye Blues.”

And ultimately it was Daniels’ clarinet soloing that dominated the spotlight – as it should.  One fleet solo after another, rendered with an irresistible flow of swing, affirmed his consummate blend of dexterous technical skills and vivid improvisational inventiveness.

No wonder that, with Daniels in the forefront, the clarinet once again seems to be finding its rightful place in the jazz hierarchy.

Photos by Bob Barry.  To view more of his jazzography, click HERE.

Picks of the Week: Sept 5 – 11

By Don Heckman

Los Angeles

Quincy Jones

- Sept. 7. (Wed.)  Quincy Jones Band featuring the Global Gumbo All-Stars and Friends.  No one knows how to put together an evening of immensely entertaining music as well as Quincy Jones.  And he’s assembled one of his characteristically spectacular programs for an event that easily promises to be one of the principal highlights of this summer’s programs at the Bowl.  The line-up, reaching from jazz to soul to pop, hip-hop and beyond includes Patti Austin, the Brothers Johnson, Richard Bona, James Ingram, Alfredo Rodriguez, Nikki Yanofksky, Gloria Estefan, an all-star big band and a lot more.  Thank you, Q.  It just doesn’t get much better than that.  So don’t miss this one. The Hollywood Bowl.    (323) 850-2000.

- Sept. 7. (Wed.)  Teka Brazilian Jazz.  Brazilian born singer/guitarist Teka brings striking authenticity to the mixture of jazz and Brazilian rhythms she calls New Bossa.  She performs with Aaron Serfaty, drums and Jeff Elliot, trumpet and keyboards.  Vitello’s.    (818) 769-0905.

- Sept. 8. (Thurs. )  Mark Dresser and Jen Shyu.  Bass and voice duos have appeared from time to time in the jazz world, but rarely with the adventurousness of this remarkable pair of talents.  Dresser has had an extensive career as a bass soloist, and Shyu’s vocalizing has been impressing audiences for nearly a decade with Steve Coleman’s Five Elements.  Together, they make a memorable musical experience.  This time out, they’re celebrating the release of Synastry, their new CD on Pi Recordings.  The Blue Whale.  (213) 620-0908.

Due Voc:

- Sept. 8. (Thurs.)  Due Voci.  Diane Warren, who’s probably written more memorable songs than anyone in the past few decades, showcases her remarkable catalog in a performance by the superb vocal duo of Kelly Levesque and Tyler Hamilton.  Vitello’s.    (818) 769-0905.

- Sept. 9 & 10. (Fri. & Sat.)  Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks.  Bramwell Tovey conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic one of the Bowl’s great annual audio and visual spectaculars.  On the program: Romeo and Juliet, Rococo Variations, Swan Lake and the 1812 Overture, complete with fireworks, cannons and the assistance of the U.S.C. Trojan Marching Band.  The Hollywood Bowl.  (323) 850-2000.

- Sept. 9 & 10 (Fri. & Sat.)  Miles Evans Band.  Trumpeter Evans returns to Catalina’s, leading his band in a set of his own compositions, as well as arrangements of works by Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles and Buddy Miles, written by his father, Gil Evans.  Catalina Bar & Grill.  (323) 466-2210.

- Sept. 10 (Sat).  Don Rader quartet.  Trumpeter Rader’s resume includes gigs with the stellar big bands of Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Louis Bellson, Terry Gibbs, Henry Mancini and Frank Foster, among others.  But he’s also led his own fine small groups, and here he is, on his own in the spotlight, backed by pianist Tom Ranier and bassist Pat Senatore.  Vibrato Jazz Grill…etc.   (310) 474-9400.

Arturo Sandoval

- Sept. 10. (Sat.)  Arturo Sandoval.  “Tribute To My Friend Dizzy Gillespie.”  Inspired by Gillespie, musical Renaissance man Sandoval has evolved into a brilliant jazz trumpeter, pianist, percussionist, vocalist and more.  Let’s hope there’s room on this program to display the full range of his far-reaching talents.  Valley Performing Arts Center.    (818( 677-3000.

San Francisco

- Sept. 7 – 9 (Wed. – Fri.)  Dr. John and the Lower 911.  Multiple Grammy award winner Dr. John has been storming through pop music, investing it with his own combination of blues, rock, Zydeco and more since ‘70s.  And he’s still going strong. Yoshi’s Oakland.    (510) 238-9200.

New York

- Sept. 6 – 10. (Tues. – Sat.)  Dave Liebman.  The veteran saxophonist/composer celebrates his 65^th birthday with performances by his small group on Tues. and Wed., and with his big band on Thurs. though Sat.  Birdland.    (212) 581-3080.

Roy Haynes

- Sept. 7 – 11. (Wed. – Sun.)  Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band.  The Fountain of Youth in drummer Haynes’s band is primarily centered around his own amazing playing.  At 86, with a career reaching back to Charlie Parker, he’s bringing astonishing young vitality to every beat he plays.  Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola.   (212) 258-9800.

- Sept. 8 – 11. (Thurs. – Sun.)  Robert Glasper Trio. Pianist Glasper, whose credits reach from Mos Def and Jay-Z to Carly Simon and Roy Hargrove, has been successfully searching for ways to open pathways into jazz for youthful listeners. Jazz Standard.    (212) 576-2232.

Boston

- Sept. 8. (Thurs.)  The Either/Orchestra.  The eclectic, musically adventurous E/O has been stretching the limits of large (ten pieces, actually) jazz for more than two decades.  They kick off their 2011-2012 season with a performance at their home base.  Regatta Bar.   (617) 395-7757.

Seattle

Eliane Elias

- Sept. 8 – 11. (Thurs. – Sun.)  Eliane Elias.  Always a superb pianist, Elias has gradually matured into a  convincing singer as well.  And her latest album, Light My Fire, is a rich, mesmerizing collection of eclectic material (including a gripping version of the title track) that demands a Grammy nomination (and more).  Jazz Alley.     (206) 441-9729.

Berlin

- Sept. 6 – 9.  (Tues. – Fri.)  Till Bronner.  The Grammy nominated German trumpeter Bronner has established himself as one of his country’s most visible, most honored jazz artists, as well as a top selling pop star.  Here he puts on his jazz cap.  A-Trane. Charlottenburg.  /  030/313 25 50.

Tokyo

- Sept. 6 – 9. (Tues. – Fri.)  The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra.  Few ensembles deserve the title “Legendary” as much as the still vital, still swinging Basie Orchestra.  With a first rate set of players, performing some of the greatest classic big band jazz repertoire, it’s hard to go wrong. Blue Note Tokyo.  03-5485-0088.

Quincy Jones photo by Greg Gorman.

Picks of the Week: April 5 – 10

By Don Heckman

Los Angeles

Junko Onishi

- April 5. (Tues.)  Junko Onishi Trio.  Japanese pianist Onishi confirms her return to jazz action last year after a performance break of nearly a decade.  She kicks off her American tour tonight with the backing of the sterling rhythm team of bassist Dwayne Burno and drummer Gregory Hutchinson.   Catalina Bar & Grill.  (323)466-2210  (Also at Yoshi’s Oakland on April 6.)

- April 5. (Tues.)  Ostad Abbos Kosimov.  Traditional Uzbek and Tajik Percussion Music and Dance. Percussionist Kosimov is one of the world’s masters of the doyra frame drum.  He is joined by the CalArts Persian and World Music ensembles, as well as members of his own Abbos Ensemble in an exploration of the music of Uzbekistan.  Tara Pandeya adds the sensual movements of Central Asian dance.  REDCAT.  (213) 237-2800.

- April 5. (Tues.)  Lorenzo Lamas.  You may remember him as Jane Wyman’s evil stepson in Falcon Crest. But Lamas (yes, from that family) is also an effective musical purveyor of the romantic side of cabaret.  Vibrato Grill Jazz… (310) 474-9400. 

Kenny Burrell

- April 6. (Wed.) Kenny Burrell Jazz Heritage All Stars.  For once, the label “All-Stars” has real significance.  Veteran guitarist/educator Burrell puts it all together with trumpter (and also educator) Bobby Rodriguez, saxophonist Justo Almario, drummer Clayton Cameron and more.  Catalina Bar & Grill.  (323) 466-2210.

- April 6. (Wed.)  The Kronos Quartet. The creatively eclectic, Grammy winning string quartet celebrates composer Steve Reich’s 75^th birthday with the performance of a newly commissioned work.   Segerstrom Center for the Arts.   (714) 556-2787.

Salif Keita

- April 6. (Wed.)  Salif Keita. The voice of Keita, with its soaring tones, penetrating sound and inspiring rhythms, is one of the great glories of African popular music.  The Conga Room.  (213) 745-0162.

- April 6. (Wed.) Blue Lou Marini.  Veteran New York saxophonist Marini makes one of his rare West Coast appearances, performing with trumpeter Walt Fowler, pianist John Campbell, bassist Chuck Berghofer, drummer Peter Erskine and special guests.  Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.

- April 7. (Thurs.)  Big Willie’s Burlesque.  Busy drummer Willie McNeil’s Quartet lays down some classic backbeat sounds to inspire the irresistible moves of dancer Carolina Cerisola.   They call it “old school burlesque with a cutting edge, Latin, new school vibe.”   The Edison Downtown.  (213) 613-0000.

- April 7. (Thurs.) V. R. Smith Sextet.  It’s a Smith Family Night.  With vocalist V.R. Smith backed by the band of her husband, bassist Putter Smith – with Gary Foster alto saxophone, Chuck Manning, tenor saxophone, Jim Szilagyi, piano and Tim Pleasant, drums.  Charlie O’s.   (818) 994-3058.

- April 7 – 10. (Thurs. – Sun.)  Rachelle Ferrell.  Blessed with one of the most impressive voices in the jazz vocal world, Ferrell is also a uniquely appealing song stylist.  Catalina Bar & Grill.  (323) 466-2210.  .

Arlo Guthrie

- April 8. (Fri.)  Arlo Guthrie and Friends.  Folk music patriarch returns to UCLA, this time with his “Journey On” tour, featuring his son, Abe Guthrie and the folk-rock trio The Burns Sisters.  UCLA Live.  Royce Hall. (310) 825-2101.

- April 9. (Sat.)  Jazz Fundraiser for Japan.  Vitello’s April Williams has assembled an impressive collection of the Southland’s finest jazz artists for a 12 hour fundraiser for Japan.  Among the participants: Alan Pasqua, Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, Darek Oles, Alex Acuna, the Wayne Bergeron Big Band, Denise Donatelli, Joe La Barbera, Larry Koonse, Tom Warrington, Bob Sheppard and many more.  11 a.m. to 11 p.m.  Vitello’s.   (818) 769-0905.

- April 9. (Sat.) Plas Johnson.  Although he’s been a vital member of the Southland jazz community for decades, Johnson is best known for his memorable solo work on “The Pink Panther” theme.  But he’s got a lot more than that to offer.  He’ll be playing with pianist Tom Ranier, bassist John Giannelli and drummer Fritz Wise.  Giannelli Square.  (818) 772-1722.

- April 9. (Sat. ) Wind Soloists of New York and Pedja Muzijevic. The superb wind instrumentalists of this much praised ensemble join with pianist Muzijevic to perform a dynamic program of works by Beethoven, Saint-Saens, Prokofiev and Poulenc.  And they’ll do so in the elegant Pompeian Room of the Doheny Mansion.  The Da Camera Society.  (213) 477-2929.

- April 10 (Sun.)  Greta Metassa.  Seattle-based singer Metassa is far less known than she should be.  In this rare Southland appearance, she’ll deliver her beautifully crafted vocals  in a plush, private mini concert hall in Beverly Hills.   Hopefully, she’ll include songs from her latest CD, I Wanna be Loved.” Backing her: the world class rhythm section of pianist Mike Garson, bassist Clipper Anderson and drummer Bob Leatherbarrow.  To book seats, click on Resonance Records.   Address will be given when the reservation is made.

San Francisco

- April 6. (Wed.)  Junko Onishi Trio.  Japanese pianist Onishi confirms her return to jazz action last year after a performance break of nearly a decade.  She’ll be backed by the sterling rhythm team of bassist Dwayne Burno and drummer Gregory Hutchinson.  Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.

Madeleine Peyroux

- April 8. (Fri.)  Madeleine Peyroux.  Moving beyond the Billie Holiday musical frame that had narrowed her music for too long, Peyroux is now finding her own way, as unique musical persona and an intriguing songwriter.  SF Jazz Spring Season.  Palace of Fine Arts Theatre.   (415) 398-5655.

- April 9. (Sat.)  Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester.  The music of the twenties and thirties comes vividly back to life in the hands of Raabe and his extraordinarily versatile musicians.  Always as musically provocative as they are entertaining, they’re one of a kind. SFJAzz Spring Season.  Paramount Theatre, Oakland. .

- April 10. (Sun.)  The Asaad Brothers “Da Volta as Raizes” Offspring of a famouns musical family, the two guitar duo of the Asaad brothers play everything from Bach transcriptions and gypsy jazz to Brazilian samba and the music of the Middle East.  SFJAZZ Spring Season. Palace of Fine Arts Theatre.  (415) 398-5655.

New York

Toshiko Akiyoshi

- April 4 (Mon.) Fund Raising Concert For Japan. The New York jazz community steps up to play a concert in support of the beleaguered people of Japan. Toshiko Akiyoshi; Cecil Bridgewater; Sam Burtis; Jerry Dodgion; Roy Hargrove; Tom Harrell; Barry Harris; Fred Hersch; Rene Manning; Earl McIntyre; Jimmy Owens; Rufus Reid; Marvin Stamm; Lew Tabackin; Kenny Werner and many others.  The Village Vanguard.  (212) 255-4037.

- April 5 – 10. (Tues. – Sun.)  Toots Thielemans with Kenny Werner and Oscar Castro-Neves.  As if that weren’t enough, Werner will also do a set each night with his Quintet featuring Lionel Loueke and Miguel Zenon.  The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.

- April 8. (Fri.)  Rudresh Mahanthappa’s “Gama.” With David Fiuczynski, guitar, Francois Moutin, bass and Dan Weiss, drums.  Altoist Mahanthappa and Fiuczynski have been working together lately in Jack DeJohnette’s band.  Here they dip into some of the fascinating improvisational territory between jazz and Indian music.  Cornelia St. Café.  (212) 989-9319.