By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Nov. 9. (Mon.) Judy Wexler. Wexler’s briskly swinging vocal style finds a perfect match with the trio of organist Joe Bagg, guitarist Bruce Forman and drummer Devin Kelly. Charlie O’s. (818) 989-3110.
– Nov. 10. (Tues.) Reginald Robinson. The MacArthur Genius award winning pianist performs solo ragtime pieces to accompany silent film clips of animation by cartoon pioneers Walter Lantz, Otto Messmer and Earl Hurd. The Hammer Museum.
– Nov. 10 – 12. (Tues. – Thurs.) Steve Gadd and Friends. After bringing the authentic flavor of jazz to a long list of pop artists, drummer Gadd does his own thing. With Joey DeFrancesco, Ronnie Cuber and Paul Bollenback. Catalina Bar & Grill (323) 466-2210. (Also at Yoshi’s SanFran Nov. 13 – 15. See Below)
– Nov. 11. (Wed.) The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. Nicholas McGegan conducts this superb period orchestra, six soloists and the Philharmonia Chorale in a rare evening devoted completely to the music of Henry Purcell. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– Nov. 12. (Thurs.) McCoy Tyner. Versatile, ever-intriguing Tyner has been one of the most powerful piano innovators of the past five decades. He performs with his trio and alto saxophonist Gary Bartz. The large improvisational ensemble, Build an Ark, opens the show. UCLA Live at Royce Hall. (310) 825-4401.
– Nov.12. (Thurs.) Janis Mann. Although she’s been compared to such iconic singers as Sarah Vaughan, Mann bring’s her own unique qualities to the classic jazz vocal style. Crown Plaza Brasserie Jazz Lounge. (310) 642-7500. m
– Nov. 12. (Thurs.) Pete Christlieb Tall and Small Band w. vocalist comedian Tony Russell. Saxophonist for all seasons Christlieb leads a snappy 10-piece band with his wife, trombonist Linda Small-Christlieb. This is the first event in which comedy is added to Vitellos’ Red Carpet Jazz Series. More on the way. Upstairs at Vitellos. (818) 769-0905.
– Nov. 12. (Thurs.) Denise Donatelli. A singer with the sound, the rhythm and the interpretive imagination to bring a song to life – that’s Donatelli. Charlie O’s. (818) 989-3110.
– Nov. 12 – 15. (Thurs. – Sun.) Dawn Upshaw with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.. Upshaw sings Luciano Berio’s fascinating cycle of folk songs and Dudamel conducts Schubert’s Symphony #8 (Unfinished). Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– Nov. 13. (Fri.) “Loud and Rich. ” Loudon Wainwright and Richard Thompson. A pair of veteran songwriters, each with a witty, sometimes sardonic, way with a phrase, make a rare duo appearance. UCLA Live at Royce Hall. (310) 825-4401.
– Nove. 13. (Fri.) Dr. Bobby Rodriguez. ” Latin Dance Party”. Trumpeter and educator Rodriguez knows all the connections between the steaming rhythms of Latin jazz and Latin dance. The Culver Club in the Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Westside. (310) 649-1776.
– Nov. 14. (Sat.) Frank Marocco Quartet. Marocco keeps affirming the role of the accordion in jazz and beyond with his rich, inventive musical imagination. He’s backed by Pat Senatore, bass, Robert Hardt, piano and Ramon Banda, drums. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
San Francisco
– Nov. 9. (Mon.) Ian Anderson plays acoustic Jethro Tull. Anarchic flutist Anderson revisits his past. The Warfield.
– Nov. 11. (Wed.) Leon Russell. A rare club appearance by the great songwriter, pianist and character. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
– Nov. 12. (Thurs.) Ray Davies performing the Kinks Choral Collection. Forty years after, Davies is still producing memorable music. The Warfield.
– Nov. 13. – 15. (Fri. – Sun.) Steve Gadd and Friends. W.. Joey DeFrancesco, Ronnie Cuber and Paul Bollenback. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
New York
– Nov. 9 – 12. (Mon. – Thurs. Gal Costa and Romero Lubambo. An irresistible combination: Costa’s dark-toned, intimate lyricism and Lubambo’s remarkably intuitive guitar backing. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– Nov. 10 – 14. (Tues. – Sat.) Jim Hall Quartet. Veteran guitarist Hall, always eager to test his wares in a contemporary setting, performs with Greg Osby, alto sax, Steve Laspina, bass and Joey Baron, drums. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– Nov. 11. (Wed.) Kat Edmonson. A stand-out in the crowded field of young female jazz vocalists, Edmonson has an ear caressing sound and an easygoing sense of rhythmic swing. The Jazz Standard. (212) 447-7733.
– Nov. 13 & 14. (Fri. & Sat.) The Mike Melvoin Trio. The veteran pianist is backed by the world class rhythm team of bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Bill Goodwin. Mike promises that they “will play music for your blood, your heart and your spirit.” Kitano. (212) 885-7119.
The International Review of Music 