By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Nov. 16. (Mon.) Devon Wendell, Kevin Kelly and Tyler Kidd. Blues on the loose, featuring iRoM’s own “Doc” Wendell playing electric and acoustic guitars and harmonica. A chance to hear the reviewer in action. The Viper Room. (310) 652-7869.
– Nove. 16. (Mon.) Elvis Schoenberg’s Orchestre Surreal. Schoenberg’s large collective of L.A. studio players claims to perform music that “fuses classical, jazz, rock, hip hop, world music and just about anything else.” Catalina Bar & Grill (323) 466-2210.
– Nov. 17. (Tues.) Remembering Charlie O. The Bill Cunliffe Trio. Charlie Ottaviano passed away a year ago. But his widow Jo-Ann has made sure that the club that bears his name continues to be the Southland’s ultimate jazz bar and restaurant, presenting world-class music seven nights a week. There will undoubtedly be a few tears and a lot of jamming taking place to celebrate his memory. Charlie O’s. (818) 989-3110.
– Nov. `17. (Tues) Charlie Haden Family & Friends. Rambling Boy. Bassist Haden, one of the jazz world’s most versatile artists, recalls his early years in country and bluegrass music. Family members, bluegrass players and Jack Black join the party. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– Nov. 19. (Thurs.) John Altman. Sixtieth Birthday Party. Alto saxophonist/composer/arranger and humorist Altman celebrates a milestone birthday. Charlie O’s. (818) 989-3110.
– Nov. 19. (Thurs.) Thom Rotella Quartet. Guitarist Rotella performs with the sterling backing of pianist John Beasley, bassist Kevin Brandon and drummer Roy McCurdy. Crown Plaza Brasserie Jazz Lounge. (310) 642-7500.
– Nov. 19 – 21. (Thurs. – Sat.) Lainie Kazan. The star of stage, screen, television and beyond is also a jazz-oriented, always engaging vocalist. Catalina Bar & Grill (323) 466-2210.
– Nov. 20. (Fri.) Graham Dechter Trio performs with guest star trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos. Spazio. (818) 728-8400.
– Nov. 20 – 21. (Fri. & Sat.) Joey DeFrancesco Trio. The master of the B-3 keeps alive the tradition of big, blues-driven, irresistibly swinging jazz organ music. Steamers. (714) 871-8800.
– Nov. 21. (Sat.) The Kronos Quartet, Terry Riley, Matmos and Michael Einziger. “Eureka” The opening event in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s West Coast, Left Coast Festival features four artists whose skills were honed in the cultural environment of California. The evening’s works are frequently interrlated, especially during a combined version of a piece titled “For Terry Riley,” performed by the Kronos Quartet and the electronica of Matmos. Walt Disney Concert Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– Nov. 21. (Sat.) Tommy Tune and the Manhattan Rhythm Kings: “Steps In Time” Dancer, choreographer and director Tune recalls some of the classic, high-stepping moments in Broadway musical history. CSUN Performing Arts Center (818) 677-5768.
– Nov. 21. (Sat.) Bernadette Peters. The Broadway musical star, who can command a stage with a sultry phrase and a playful twist of her hips, stars in the 15th Anniversary Celebration of the Thousand Oaks Civic Plaza. (805) 449-2700.
– Nov. 21. (Sat.) Hubert Laws, Larry Koonse and Tierney Sutton. The Jazz Bakery continues its Moveable Feast series of concerts with a Holiday Celebration featuring veteran flutist Laws, versatile guitarist Koonse and jazz vocalist Sutton. Fowler Museum. UCLA. (310) 271-9039
– Nov. 21. (Sat.) Bob Sheppard. Name the style you want to hear from a saxophonist, and Sheppard can deliver it in A-class style. This time out, he’s doing things his own way, backed by the sturdy support of bassist Pat Senatore’s Trio. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Nov. 21. (Sat.) Hans Groiner & Larry Goldings Quartet. Here’s an intriguing two-fer. Pianist and humorist Groiner, making his West Coast debut is allegedly a “Thelonious Monk scholar.” Goldings is a solid talent, one of the Southland’s most imaginative keyboardists. The Red Carpet Jazz Series. Upstairs at Vitellos. (818) 769-0905.
– Nov. 22. (Sun.) Suezenne Fordham Chamber Jazz LA. Fordham’s expands upon the lineage of avant-garde jazz reaching back to the ‘60s. South Pasadena Music Center and Conservatory. http://www.southpasadenamusic.com (626) 403-2300
San Francisco
– Nov. 18. (Tues.) Fred Hersch. Solo piano. Gersh is always a pleasure to hear, but never more so than when he plays alone. Hopefully he’ll include some selections from his recent album of music by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Yoshi’s Oakland. )510) 238-9200.
– Nov. 20 – 22. (Fri. – Sun.) Wallace Roney Quintet. Trumpeter Roney’s playing style flows from the Miles Davis wellspring, but what he does with it is uniquely his own. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
– Nov. 20 – 22. (Fri. – Sun.) Patti Austin. Who will show up this week? The Jazz Patti, the Blues Patti, the Soul Patti. Doesn’t matter. All of Austin’s musical manifestations are great. With any luck she’ll include something from all her sources. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
New York
– Nov. 17 – 22. (Mon. – Sun.) Savion Glover. “Jamming with the Masters” The brilliant tap artist performs with special guests McCoy Tyner, Roy Haynes, Eddie Palmieri, Jack DeJohnette and others TBA. Check with club for schedules. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– Nov. 17 – 22. George Wein & the Newport All-Stars. At 84, Wein – a swinging pianist as well as jazz’s most successful impresario – still loves to get up on the stage and do it himself. He performs with the true all-star backing of saxophonist Lew Tabackin, trumpeter Randy Sandke, guitarist Howard Alden, drummer Winard Harper and others. Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. (212) 258-9595.
. – Nov. 21. (Sat.) Mariza and Friends. The Portuguese diva and her passionate fado interpretations are joined, in a diverse program, by Peru’s Eva Ayllon and Cuban jazz pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Carnegie Hall. http://www.carnegiehall.org/SiteCode/Intro.aspx
– Nov. 22. (Sun.) Jean-Michel Pilc Quartet. French pianist is one of the most adventurous members of the new generation of players taking their music beyond the powerful influence of Bill Evans. 55 Bar (212) 929-9883.
The International Review of Music 