Picks of the Week Dec. 1 – 7: Grammy Noms, Eubanks, Botti, L.A. Phil, Barbieri, Feinstein, Keillor and More

Picks of the Week: Dec. 1 – 7.

Television 

B.B. King

– Dec. 3. (Wed.) Grammy Nominations. The nominations for the 51^stannual Grammy Awards will be announced on live, prime time television for the first time (with the usual three hour delay for the West Coast). L L Cool J and Taylor Swift will host the hour-long show; scheduled performers include Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, B.B. King, John Mayer and others.  CBS-TV.  9 p.m.

Los Angeles

– Dec. 3. (Wed.),  Dec. 10. (Wed.)  and Dec. 17. (Wed.). Kevin Eubanks and the Tonight Show band. The Baked Potato. (818) 980-1615.  www.thebakedpotato.com.

– Dec. 4 & 5. (Thurs. & Fri.)  Chicago singer Brienn Perry has been praised by the Tribune for his “astounding talent,” his “warm presence” and his “sublime sophistication.”  And he plays trombone, too.  Backed by pianist Bobby Pierce, bassist Luther Hughes and drummer Paul Kreibich.  Thurs. in the Brasserie Lounge of the Crowne Plaza LAX Hotel.  (310) 642-7500.  www.crowneplaza.com. Fri. in the Jazz in the Lobby Bar at the Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel.   (213)  488-3500.  www.Sheraton.com.

Maureen McGovern

– Dec. 4 – 6. (Thurs. – Sat.) A too rare appearance by Maureen McGovern, Ms. Versatility.  If there’s something she can’t sing, it’s probably not worth hearing.  Catalina Bar & Grill.  (323) 466-2210.  www.catalinajazzclub.com.

– Dec. 4 – 6. (Thurs. – St.)  John Beasley’s All-Star Jazz Quartet. No hyperbole here, “All-Star” definitely applies.  With saxophonist Benny Maupin, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts. Jazz Bakery.   (310) 271-9039.  www.jazzbakery.com.

– Dec. 4 – 6. (Thurs. – Sat.) The Los Angeles Philharmonic The Phil’s charismatic new Music Director, Gustavo Dudamel conducts Kurtág (Stélé), Mozart (Piano Concerto No. 23), with pianist Rudolf Buchbinder, and Strauss (Alpine Symphony). Walt Disney Concert Hall. (323) 850-2000.  http://www.laphil.org

– Dec. 5 & 6. (Fri. & Sat.) Merry-Achi Christmas. With Sol de México de José Hernández Mariachi, America’s first all-female Mariachi – Reyna de Los Angeles – and the Ballet Folklorico del Pacifico. Cerritos Center.  (562) 467-8818  www.cerritoscenter.com

– Dec. 6. (Sat.)  Veteran guitarist Mundell Lowe makes a rare Valley appearance.  With bassist  John Giannelli and drummer Kendall Kay.   Giannelli Square.  (818) 772-1722.  www.giannellisquare.com.

– Dec. 7. (Sun.)  Ralph Alessi’s “This Against That.”  Trumpeter Alessi’s cutting edge jazz, with pianist Andy Milne, bassist Drew Gess, bass, saxophonist Tony Malaby and drummer Mark Ferber.  1160 Lounge, The Ramada Hollywood.  www.roccoinla.com.

– Dec. 7. (Sun. afternoon)  Versatile pianist Tamir Hendelman, with bassist Darek Oles and drummer Dean Koba, perform in a delightful Hollywood Hills setting.  A-Frame Jazz. (310) 659-9169.  www.aframejazz.com.

– Dec. 7. (Sun.)  Drummer Gerry Gibbs’ envelope-stretching  Electric Quartet with saxophonist/woodwind artist Katisse Buckingham.  Spazio. (818) 728-8400.  www.spazio.la/jazz.php.

San Francisco

– Dec. 2 & 3. (Tues. & Wed.)  Christian Scott. The upcoming young trumpeter continues on his rising star path.  Yoshi’s Oakland. . (510) 238-9200.  www.yoshis.com.

Chris Botti

– Dec. 2 – 7.  (Tues. – Sun.)  Chris Botti.  There’s no better place to hear Chris Botti’s seductive trumpet in action than a club like Yoshi’s, where he can be heard, up-close, reaching down into the jazz roots that are the foundation of his art.  Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600. www.yoshis.com

– Dec. 5 – 7  (Fri. – Sun.)  Gato Barbieri. Celebrating 50 years in music, and no doubt featuring the theme from “Last Tango in Paris.”  Yoshi’s Oakland. . (510) 238-9200.  www.yoshis.com.

New York City

– Dec. 1 – 31. (Mon. – Wed.31).  Michael Feinstein takes over the stage for a month-long showcasing of “The Holiday Sinatra Project,” backed by a 17 piece big band. Feinstein’s at the Regency.  (212) 339-4095.    http://feinsteinsattheregency.com.

– Dec. 2 – 7. (Tues. – Sun.) Kenny Werner Quintet. With David Sanchez, Randy Brecker, Scott Colley and Antonio Sanchez. .  Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola.  www.jalc.org/dccc (212) 258-9595.

Garrison Keillor

– Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28. (Sundays in December)   Garrison Keillor: “Man in Tux & Red Shoes with Piano.”   The Sage of Lake Woebegone sits on a nightclub stool, sings standards and tells a New York story or two.  Pianist Richard Dworsky accompanies.  Feinstein’s at the Regency.  (212) 339-4095.    http://feinsteinsattheregency.com.

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