By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– June 1. (Tues.) Guitar Night. John Pisano, Barry Zweig. John Belzaguy. A pair of veteran guitarists – each with an overflowing resume of memorable appearances – have a typical Guitar Night jam with the solid backing of bassist Belzaguy. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– June 1. (Tues.) Lisa Hilton. Described as a “lioness of jazz” by JazzReview magazine, Hilton is about to release her 12th U.S. recording, Nuance. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. On Saturday, June 5, Hilton will also give an onstage interview and performance for visually-impaired students from Junior Blind America at the Grammy Museum. The appearance is part of her continuing efforts to bring music to the visually impaired in Los Angeles, Boston and New York.
– June 2. (Wed.) Austin Peralta/Javier Santiago Project. Pianist Peralta had two CDs released in Japan by the age of 16. Approaching his 20th birthday, the talented young player – the son of legendary skateboarder and film director Stacy Peralta – shows off his wares amid the simmering rhythms of the Javier Santiago Project. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– June 2 & 3. (Wed. & Thurs.) Partch: Even Wild Horses. Harry Partch was such an original musical thinker that he re-imagined the concept of musical pitch intervals, then created an array of instruments designed to play those intervals. John Schneider continues his superb survey of Partch’s extraordinary music with Even Wild Horses–Dance Music for an Absent Drama and Cloud Chambe. Also on the program: Lou Harrison‘s Canticle #3, the West Coast debut of Anne LeBaron‘s Southern Ephemera, and Madeline Tourtelot‘s MiRotate the Body in All Its Planes. REDCAT. (213) 237-2800.
– June 4. (Fri.) Mike Lang Trio. PianistLang’s far-ranging career reaches from backing Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald to performing on more than 2,000 film scores. But here’s a rare opportunity to experience his own music, up close and personal. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– June 4. (Fri.) Calabria Foti. Blessed with a rich, multi-hued voice, Foti enhances it with impressive musicality and an engaging sense of phrasing. The Back Room At Henri’s. (818) 346-5582.
– June 4. (Fri.) Sal Marquez with the Pat Senatore Trio. One of the Southland’s premiere trumpeters, Marguez has found a unique pathway for himself, somewhere between the lyricism of Miles Davis and the fire of Freddie Hubbard. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– June 4. (Fri.) Bern. Drummer Bernie Dresel leads his gang of funk and groove driven instrumenalists and singers through the music of Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Prince, the Beatles and beyond. Vitello’s. m (818) 769-0905.
– June 4 & 5. (Fri. & Sat. ) Sara Gazarek. Still on the rise, Gazarek has all the qualities that make a prime jazz artist. She’s won a Down Beat Student Music Award, and hit the top 10 in Billboard jazz charts with her first album. But she’s still not receiving the full attention that her finely honed talents deserve. The Café Metropol.
– June 5. (Sat.) Rita Moreno. She completely inhabited the role of Maria in the film version of West Side Story, winning an Academy Award for her work. And that was only one of the accomplishments in a career that has also produced an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony, as well. Moreno doesn’t do club dates often, so don’t miss this rare opportunity to see a legendary entertainer in action. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– June 5. (Sat.) Rickey Woodard with the John Heard Trio. L.A.’s had more than its share of impressive saxophonists over the years. And Woodard belongs in the very top echelon of that extraordinary group. Always a pleasure to hear, he’s at his best performing with bassist Heard and his group in the cozy setting of Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058.
– June 5. (Sat.) Grant Geissman. Busy, versatile guitarist Geissman celebrates Cool Man Cool, the latest in his long string of entertaining recordings. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– June 5. (Sat.) Gary Lucas solo acoustic. The Grammy-nominated veteran of Captain Beefheart has been described by Rolling Stone as “one of the best and most original guitarists in America.” And that’s a reasonable description for a musician who’s played with both Leonard Bernstein and Lou Reed (among others). McCabes. (310) 828-4497.
– June 6. (Sun.) Graham Dechter and the Adam Schroeder Quartet. Dechter’s guitar and Schroeder’s baritone sax make for one of the more unique timbral sounds in jazz. Add to that the sturdy swing capabilities of both players, and expect an evening of high energy. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– June 6. (Sun.) Element Band. This entertaining, eclectic ensemble is a living definition of the phrase “World Music.” Performing in Armenian, French, Greek, Spanish, English, Arabic, Portuguese, Italian, Bulgarian and Farsi, they offer a little something for almost every ethnic or musical taste. Guest star Italian singer Giovanna Gattuso adds her own elegant touch to the proceedings. The Ford Amphitheatre. (323) 461-3673
Highlight……………………………………………………………
– June 6. (Sun.) “Playboy Jazz in Warner Park.” The build-up to the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl on June 12 & 13 continues with another free
Playboy community event. Although the Warner concerts only began a couple of years ago, they’ve already become one of the early Summer’s most popular jazz events. And the price is right. This year’s program features four time Grammy nominated singer Oleta Adams, keyboardist Lao Tizer, master jazz trumpeter Sal Marquez, and the Calabasas High School Jazz Band (one of the 15 finalists in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Competition. Playboy Jazz in Warner Park. (310) 450-1173.
San Francisco
– June 1 & 2. (Tues. & Wed.) Jane Monheit. Always one of the most gorgeous voices in jazz, Monheit is also an original jazz stylist, approaching everything she sings with a unique combination of rhythmic swing and lyrical imagination. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
– June 1 & 2. (Tues. & Wed.) Pat Martino. Guitarist Martino has essentially had to learn to play the guitar twice, as the result of a near-fatal brain aneurysm in 1980. But he’s done it superbly, firmly establishing his position as one of jazz’s finest veteran artists. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
– June 3. (Thurs.) John Handy. Forty-five years after his remarkable performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival made him a highly visible jazz figure, Handy – who has also had a long career as an educator – continues to be a an eminently listenable alto saxophonist. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
– June 4 – 6. (Fri. – Sun) Dave Holland Quintet. Bassist Holland’s interests have taken him in all directions – in recent years with a big band as well as a little big band. This time, he’s back to basics, with a quintet that includes the all-star line-up of saxophonist Chris Potter, trombonist Robin Eubanks, vibist Steve Nelson, and drummer Nate Smith. Yoshi’s Oakland.(510) 238-9200.
– June 4 – 6. (Fri. – Sun.) Dr. John & the Lower 911. One of the music world’s true originals, Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) has been one of the irrepressible symbols of New Orleans for decades. And he’s still going strong, winning a Grammy last year for “City That Care Forgot.” Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
New York
– June 1 – 5. (Tues. – Sat.) Stacey Kent. Wisely focusing her career upon international audiences, Kent has achieved visibility reaching beyond that of many of her contemporaries. Her latest album, Raconte-Moi, sung in French underscores her global outreach. Birdland. 581-3080.
– June 3 – 6. (Thurs. – Sun.) Jacky Terrasson Trio. French/American pianist Terrasson – well-regarded since he won the 1993 Thelonious Monk Piano Competition – celebrates the release of his latest album, Push. Jazz Standard. (212) 576-2232.
– June 3 – 6. (Thurs. – Sun.) Dee Dee Bridgewater. Her recordings are always a pleasure to hear, and the latest — Eleanor Fagan: To Billie With Love From Dee Dee Bridgewater – is an extraordinary Billie Holiday tribute. But Bridgewater in person is even more unique, more dynamic. This is one to place on your “Don’t Miss” list. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
Washington, D.C.
– June 1 – 13. D.C. Jazz Festival. It was originally titled the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. But whatever the name, this is one of the early Summer’s most impressive assemblages of all-star talent. Among the major names: Claudio Roditi, Roberta Flack, Eddie Palmieri, Kenny Barron, Paquito D’Rivera, Regina Carter, Roberta Gambarini, Roy Hargrove, and more. The D.C. Jazz Festival.
The International Review of Music 
Thanks, good job.
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