By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Dec. 8. (Tues.) Dominick Farinacci. Trumpeter Farinacci’s debut U.S. CD, Lovers, Tales and Dances, announced the arrival of an impressive new young jazz artist. He makes one of his rare Southland appearances for one night only. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Dec. 8. (Tues.) Charles Lloyd, Joshua Redman, Exene Cervenka, Michael McClure, Kurt Elling, others. A compelling line-up of artists have been gathered together for one of the most intriguing evenings in the Philharmonic’s West Coast, Left Coast series: A Night of the Beats. Disney Hall.
– Dec. 9. (Wed.) The Irish Tenors. Holiday Show. What better way to celebrate the holiday season than with the soaring voices of the three Irish tenors singing holiday songs. The Cerritos Center. (562) 916-8501.
– Dsec. 9. (Wed.) Bebel Gilberto with DJ Lara Gerin. The daughter of Joao Gilberto — who virtually invented the sound and the rhythm of bossa nova — and singer Miucha, Bebel Gilberto has carved out an impressive career in her own right, bringing her contemporary, Brazilian-tinted vision to international pop music. Music Box @ the Fonda. (323) 464-0808.
– Dec. 9. (Wed.) Flexible Reality. The instrumentation alone makes this a fascinating musical ensemble. The players — Richard Todd, French Horn, Charlie Bisharat, violin, Frank Marocco, accordion, Michael Valerio and Abraham Laboriel, basses and Alex Acuna, drums – make it even better. Red Carpet Jazz Serries. Upstairs at Vitellos. (818) 769-0905.
– Dec. 9 – 13. (Wed. – Sun.) Roy Hargrove Quintet. Versatile trumpter Hargrove, who’s been leading a big band lately, shows up this time with his briskly swinging quintet. Catalina’s. Catalina Bar & Grill (323) 466-2210.
– Dec. 10. (Thurs.) Alan Pasqua, Peter Erskine, Darek Oles, Bob Mintzer. The Pasqua/Erskine trio with the late Dave Carpenter was one of the Southland’s finest jazz ensembles. With the excellent bassist Oles now in the group, the tradition of world class jazz continues, this time with the sturdy tenor saxophone of Bob Mintzer. Red Carpet Jazz Series Upstairs at Vitellos. (818) 769-0905.
– Dec. 11. (Fri.) Scotty Barnhart. Trumpeter /educator Barnhart, a veteran of the Count Basie band, takes a break from his academic chores to jam with with John Heard, bass, Roy McCurdy, drums, Andy Langham, piano. Charlie O’s. (818) 989-3110.
Dec. 11. (Fri.) Molly Ringwald and Plus 4. Yes, it’s the same Molly Ringwald who you remember from Pretty in Pink and Secret Life of the American Teenager. And, yes, she can sing, too, having started from an early age with her jazz pianist father, Bob Ringwald. Spazio. (818) 728-8400
– Dec. 11 & 12. (Sat. & Sun.) C.A.B. World class fusion from the guys who do it best, with Frank Gambale, guitar, Otmaro Ruiz, keyboards, Bunny Brunel, bass, Tom Brechtlein, drums. The Baked Potato. (818) 980-1615.
– Dec. 12. (Sat.) Bruce Forman Quartet. Guitarist Forman brings strikingly new perspectives to the contemporary art of jazz guitar. He plays with Joe Bagg, organ, Pat Senatore, bass, drums tbd. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Dec. 12. (Sat.) Jazz Compass. Holiday Concert & Jazz Party from a collective of L.A.’s A-list players. Featuring Larry Koonse, Clay Jenkins, Tom Warrington, Joe La Barbera, Bill Cunliffe. Upstairs at Vitellos. (818) 769-0905.
– Dec. 12. (Sat.) Los Angeles Master Chorale. Messiah Sing-along. The annual must-do event for everyone who ever sang in a choir: the chance to join voices sith the extraordinary artists of the Master Chorale. 2 p.m. Disney Hall. http://www.laphil.com
– Dec. 12 & 13. (Sat. & Sun.) “Colors of Christmas” One of the annual holiday season’s most pleasant musical interludes, with Peabo Bryson, Sheena Easton, Jennifer Holiday and Maxi Priest. The Cerritos Center. (562) 916-8501.
– Dec. 13. (Sun.) Marathon Jazz Party. It’s an event to benefit the relocation of the L.A. Jazz Institute. Three rooms of continuous music, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with dozens of musicians — including the big bands of Bill Holman, Steve Huffsteter, Med Flory, Kim Richmond and others — as well as raffles, auctions, door prizes, CD sales, etc. Los Angeles Jazz Institute. LAX Marriott. (562) 985.7065.
– Dec. 13. (Sun.) Holiday Jazz Vespers Service. Eric Kertes and Friends, with Aaron Hernandez’s hip hop commentary on today’s world. Free will offering. Bring a can, box or bag of food for donation to Food Pantry LAX to help those in need. Welcoming people of all faiths, and those with no faith. Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity. (310) 670.4777
San Francisco
– Dec. 8 & 9. (Tues. & Wed.) Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks. With special guest Bob Dorough. “Holidaze in Hicksville” Featuring Hicks’ holiday classics “My Main Man Santa,” “A Yule That’s Cool” and “Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Christmas Card.” As well as Dorough’s “Blue Xmas” (written with Miles Davis. (510) 238-9200.
– Dec. 10 – 13. (Thurs. – Sun.) Guitarist Mike Stern fronts a band of world class players, as adept with tradition as they are with fusion: trumpeter Randy Brecker, drummer Dave Weckl and bassist Tom Kennedy. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
– Dec. 10 – 13. (Thurs. – Sun.) Ahmad Jamal. A unique jazz artist, pianist Jamal influenced Miles Davis’ view of phrasing, established himself as an iconic figure, and is still out there doing his thing. Don’t miss the chance to hear and see him in action. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
Chicago
-Dec. 10 (Thurs.) The Chicago Jazz Ensemble and Jon Faddis continue the 11th annual American Jazz Heritage Series with a program honoring the music of John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Miles Davis. Special guests David Sanchez and Steve Wilson. The Harris Theatre. The Chicago Jazz Ensemble. (312) 369-6270.
New York
– Dec. 8 – 12. (Tues. – Sat.) Lee Konitz, Charlie Haden, Paul Motian, Brad Mehldau. Several generations of great jazz improvisers in an adventurous search for common musical ground. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– Dec. 8 – 13. (Tues. – Sun.) Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta. A 73rd birthday celebration for the master keyboardist of Latin Jazz, leading his irrepressible La Perfecta. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– Dec. 8 – 13. (Tues. – Sun.) Dave Douglas Quintet. Trumpeter and musical explorer Douglas works with ensemble equally capable of journeying into new territory. With Uri Caine, piano, Donny McCaslin, sax, James Genus, bass, Clarence Penn, drums. Village Vanguard. (212) 255-4037.
Dec. 10 – 12. (Thurs. – Sat.) Red Hot Holiday Stomp. A New Orleans perspective on some classic holiday favorites. With Wycliffe Gordon, Victor Goines, Don Vappie, Herlin Riley. Rose Theatre at Jazz at Lincoln Center. (212) 258-9800.
– Dec. 10 – 13. (Thurs. – Sun.) Tango Meets Jazz Festival. The marriage of a pair of musical genres with a surprising number of common elements. With pianist Pablo Ziegler and saxophonists Miguel Zenon (12/10 and 12/11) and David Sanchez ((12/12 and 12/13). The Jazz Standard. (212) 447-7733.
Dec. 11 – 12. (Fri. & Sat.) Kim Burrell, The divine diva of gospel brings the spirit of Christmas alive with her soulful, spiritual stylings. The Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center. (212) 258-9800.
The International Review of Music 