Picks of the Week Dec 8-14: Shorter, Golson, Claytons, Douglas, Haynes, Tyner and more

By Don Heckman

Los Angeles

– Dec. 9.  (Tues.)  Green Umbrella: Stockhausen and the Music of the Future.  The Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group performs the music of composers who began to transform the classical music scene in the ’50s and ’60s: Luciano Berio (Sequenza V); John Cage (excerpts from Sonatas and Interludes); Karlheinz Stockhausen ( Kontra-Punkte) and Gyorgy Ligeti (Aventures and Nouvelle Aventures). Walt Disney Concert Hall.  (323) 850-2000.  http://www.laphil.org.

Brian Blade, Danilo Perez, Wayne Shorter, John Patitucci

– Dec. 10. (Wed.)  The infinite subtleties of the Wayne Shorter Quartet in a stunning creative blending with the Imani Winds.  Disney Walt Disney Concert Hall. (323) 850-2000.  http://www.laphil.org

– Dec. 10 – 13 (Wed. – St.)  Benny Golson‘s gigs are always two-for-ones – his inimitable straight-ahead.saxophone playing, combined with his long list of swinging, tuneful compositions   Jazz Bakery.   (310) 271-9039.  www.jazzbakery.com.

-Dec. 11 – 13.  (Thurs. – Sat.)  Rising young trumpet star Christian Scott showcases material from his recently released CD, “Anthem.”  Catalina Bar & Grill.  (323) 466-2210.  www.catalinajazzclub.com.

Carol Welsman

– Dec. 12. (Fri.)  Singer/pianist Carol Welsman applies her honey and bourbon sound and irresistible swing to a tribute to another blonde and talented jazz bombshell, Peggy Lee.  Steamers.  (714) 871-8800.  www.steamersjazz.com

– Dec. 12 & 13.. (Fri. & Sat.)  The seductive a cappella harmonies of New York Voices with a program of holiday classics.. Samueli Theatre. Orange County Performing Arts Center. (714) 556-2787. www.ocpac.org

– Dec. 13. (Sat.)  Roy Zimmerman‘s “Peace-Nick”  Singing political satirist Zimmerman sends up the joys, pains and absurdities of the holiday season – “music to laugh at while the presents get unwrapped and the Bush administration comes unglued.” Parlor Performances at Steinway Hall, 12121 W. Pico Blvd., under Fields Pianos on level P2. RSVP & information (310) 471-3979 or Jeannine@FrankEntertainment.com

Gerald Clayton

– Dec. 14. (Sun.)  Jazz Summit II, the CaliforniaJazz Foundation’s benefit concert to aid musicians in need.  Performers include  the Dream Sextet (w. Shelly Berg, Wycliffe Gordon, Terell Stafford, Ken Peplowski, Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton),  Father, Son & Godfather Trio (with John and Gerald Clayton and Jeff Hamilton), Brazilian Themes (with Lori Bell, Tamir Hendelman, David Enos and Enzo Tedesco). Catalina Bar & Grill.  (323) 466-2210.  www.catalinajazzclub.com.

– Dec. 14. (Sun.)  Herman Leonard‘s photographs of jazz artists are vital elements in the chronicle of jazz history.  He’ll be sharing stories from his remarkable career, and signing his new collection, “Jazz, Giants & Journeys.”  4 p.m. Amoeba Music Hollywood. http://www.amoeba.com

San Francisco

– Dec. 9 – 14. (Tues. – Sun.)  Trumpeter Chris Botti continues his two week run in the Bay area.  Yoshi’s Oakland. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200 www.yoshis.com

New York City

– Dec. 9 & 10. (Tues. & Wed.)  Trumpeter Dave Douglas and his group, Brass Ecstasy – trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba and drums – performing a mix of originals and contemporary pop interspersing groove, improvisation and melody.  Le Poisson Rouge. (212) 796-0741.  http://lepoissonrouge.com

– Dec. 9 – 13. (Tues. – Sat.)  The ageless Roy Haynes displays his Fountain of Youth drumming with his quartet.  Birdland.  (212) 581-3080.  www.birdlandjazz.com.

McCoy Tyner

– Dec. 9 – 14. (Tues. – Sun.  The McCoy Tyner Trio plus Savion Glover.  With special guests: Marc Ribot on Tues.; Joe Lovano on Wed.; Ravi Coltrane on Thurs. and Fri.; Bill Frisell on Sat.; John Scofield on Sunday.  The Blue Note.  (212) 475-8592.  www.bluenote.net.

– Dec. 12. (Fri.)  Making Music: Elliott Carter.  A celebration of Elliott Carter‘s 100^th birthday.  Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall.  The program includes the world premiere of Duettino (World Premiere); the New York premiere of Mosaic, as well as Canon for 4; Enchanted Preludes; Gra; Con leggerezza pensosa and Esprit rude/esprit doux. Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall.  (212)  247-7800).  www.carnegiehall.org.

– Dec. 12 & 13. (Fri. & Sat.)  Guitarist Rez Abbasi‘s six piece band – including alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa and pianist Vijay Iyer – explores new views of harmonic progressions via a method he calls “Realities Of Chromaticism.”  Cornelia St. Café.  (212) 989-9359.  www.corneliastreetcafe.com.

North Carolina

Gov't Mule: Jorgen Carlsson, Matt Abts, Warren Haynes and Danny Louis. Photo by Jay Blakesburg

– Dec. 12 &  13. (Fri. & Sat.)  Warren Haynes‘ 20^th annual Christmas Jam. The all-star line-up includes Gov’t Mule, The Allman Bros. Band, Derek Trucks Band, Steve Earle, Joan Osborn, Travis Tritt & Marty Stuart, Johnny Winter, and numerous others. All proceeds will be donated to the Habitat for Humanity.  Ashville Civic Center, Ashville, N.C.  www.xmasjam.com.

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