. “Music, of all the liberal arts, has the greatest influence over the passions, and it is that to which the legislator ought to give the greatest encouragement.” Napoleon Bonaparte To read other Quotations of the Week click here.
By Don Heckman Some unique Jimi Hendrix items have arrived at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. for the exhibition “Up Where We Belong: Native Musicians in Popular Culture,” opening July 1. Hendrix’s grandmother was a Cherokee Indian. The items, which were accompanied by his sister, Janie Hendrix, consist of a full-length coat made of… Read More News: Jimi Hendrix’s personal items arrive at the Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian
By Roger Crane Jazz and pop, no matter how symbiotic their relationship, never lodge at the same inn too long. Although related, Jazz is not pop. The music called jazz is not popular music for that is not the intent. Sure, jazz artists wish to make a living, and hopefully a good living, but the… Read More Op-Ed Commentary: Listening to Jazz vs. Listening to Pop
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 26. (Mon.) Karen Marguth Quintet. Featuring Eva Scow, mandolin. Singer Marguth and mandolinist Scow have been producing some fascinating displays of briskly swinging voice and mandolin jazz. Hear them in the always friendly, laid-back setting of Charlie O’s. Charlie O’s. (919) 994-3058. – April 28. (Wed.) Kevin Eubanks… Read More Picks of the Week: April 26 – May 2
By Tony Gieske The myriad kudos Ron King has collected saluting his work as one of the town’s greatest professional trumpet players were nowhere in evidence on the bandstand at Charlie O’s Saturday night. There was not so much as a T-shirt. He got right down to business with a strange black plastic mute in… Read More Live Jazz: Ron King at Charlie O’s
By Mike Finkelstein Earlier this week, RATT had a homecoming of sorts as they played the Key Club to celebrate the release of Infestation, their new album on the Roadrunner label. Located in the heart of the Sunset Strip, the Key Club occupies what used to be the legendary Gazzari’s, a rock ‘n roll proving… Read More Live Rock: RATT at the Key Club
By Michael Katz When I last saw the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars, they were opening the 52nd MJF before a raucous Friday night crowd, the hour allotted to them not nearly enough to hold all their collective talents. Seven months later, in the more restrained environment of UCLA’s Royce Hall, I caught up with them… Read More Live Jazz: The Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars at Royce Hall
By Roger Crane Labels. So often they are more problematic than helpful. The distinction between a cabaret singer and a jazz singer is a case in point. It is true that some jazz singers ignore the text and use lyrics as simply a vehicle to hang their considerable “chops” upon. It is also true that… Read More Live Jazz: Marlene VerPlanck at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Sangria
By Don Heckman Strunz and Farah have been around for so long that it can be easy to take them for granted. The two-guitar partnership of Costa Rican-born Jorge Strunz and Iranian native Ardeshir Farah reaches back to their first CD, Mosaico, released in 1980. And their three-decade musical relationship (lasting longer than many marriages)… Read More Live World Music: Strunz & Farah at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
By Don Heckman Pat Metheny’s Orchestrion tour arrived at Disney Hall Monday night. And one couldn’t have asked for a more amiable setting than Frank Gehry’s architecturally unique performance space. The stage was filled with the Orchestrion’s clusters and stacks of instruments – from a grand piano, marimbas and acoustic guitars to cymbals, percussion and… Read More Live Jazz: Pat Metheny’s Orchestrion at Disney Hall
