By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Oct. 19 (Tues.) Robert Glasper Trio. More than most of his contemporaries, pianist Glasper has found ways to compatibly combine hip-hop, rock and r & b elements with his solid jazz skills. Catalina Bar & Grill. http://www.catalinajazzclub.com (323) 466-2210.
– Oct. 19. (Tues.) Henry Franklin’s Big 70th Birthday Celebration. Bassist Franklin, universally called “The Skipper,” hits 70 with plenty of creative fuel in the tank. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058.
THIS CONCERT HAS JUST BEEN CANCELED. THE PHILHARMONIC HAS ANNOUNCED IT HAS BEEN POSTPONED BECAUSE OF ILLNESS. TICKET-HOLDERS SHOULD CONTACT THE PHILHARMONIC FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. – Oct. 20. (Wed.) Ravi Shankar 90th Birthday Celebration. The man who virtually defines Indian classical music and the sitar for listeners both serious and casual, performs with the companionship of his gifted, sitar-playing daughter, Anoushka Shankar. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– Oct. 20. (Wed.) John Williams. The superb, Grammy-winning guitarist performs original compositions as well as the works of Villa-Lobos and the Paraguayan guitarist/composer Agustin Barrios Mangore. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.
– Oct. 20 – 23. (Wed. – Sat.) Billy Cobham. The eclectically versatile, veteran drummer offers selections from his far-reaching album, Palindrome. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Oct. 21. (Thurs.) Denise Donatelli. Always a pleasure to hear, Donatelli celebrates the release of her stellar new album, When Lights Are Low. Featuring Geoffrey Keezer, pianist/arranger, Peter Sprague, guitar, Hamilton Price, bass, Rob Lockart, sax and Marvin “Smitty” Smith, drums. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Oct. 21. (Thurs.) Patrick Berrogain’s Hot Club Combo. French-born guitarist Berrogain revives the musette and the gypsy jazz tradition of Django Reinhardt. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Oct. 21. (Thurs.) Jimmy Branley Quartet. First call drummer Branley, whose expertise reaches from Cuban rhythms to straight ahead jazz, steps into the spotlight with his own ensemble. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058.
– Oct. 21. (Thurs,.) John Mayer Quartet. Pianist Mayer keeps bebop alive with his own imaginative ideas and driving sense of swing He performs with Doug Webb, saxophone, Chris Conner, bass and Roy McCurdy, drums. Crowne Plaza Brasserie Jazz Lounge. (310) 642-7500.
– Oct. 22. (Fri.) Taj Mahal and special guest Vieux Farka Toure. The great, veteran blues and roots artist shares the stage with the equally compelling blues of Mali’s singer/guitarist Toure. A UCLA Live concert at Royce Hall. (310) 825-4401.
– Oct. 22. (Fri.) Hiroshima. 30th Anniversary Concert. The group that blended world music and jazz into an amiable sound that lifted it to smooth jazz stardom, celebrates the start of its fourth decade. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.
– Oct. 22. (Fri.) Avishai Cohen Quintet. Bassist Cohen leads his “Aurora” Project Quintet in a program of music that finds common ground between jazz and some compelling world music sounds. Vocalist Karen Malka and oud player Amos Hoffman are featured, with pianist Shai Maestro and percussionist Itamar Doari. A Jazz Bakery Movable Feast at the Musicians Institute Concert Hall. (310) 271-9039.
– Oct. 22. (Fri.) Louis Van Taylor Band. Taylor’s saxophone and woodwind sounds have been heard with everyone from Ray Charles to Kool and the Gang and the Gerald Wilson Orchestra. LACMA. (323) 857-6000. Also Oct. 29 at Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058
– Oct. 22. (Fri.) Open Hands. It’s a modest title for a group of L.A. all-stars: bassist Abraham Laboriel, Sr., saxophonist Justo Almario, drummer Bill Maxwell and keyboardist Gregg Mathieson. Baked Potato. (818) 980-1615.
– Oct. 22 & 23. (Fri. & Sat.) Walt Weiskopf. Tenor saxophonist Weiskopf’s resume reaches from Steely Dan to the Buddy Rich Band. But he’s at his best when he’s displaying his enviable talents in front of his own quartet. With Bevan Manson, piano, Tom Warrington, bass and Dick Weller, drums. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Oct. 22 – 24 (Thurs. – Sun.) The Los Angeles Philharmonic. Charles Dutoit conducts the Philharmonic in Berlioz’ lush Romeo and Juliet. With the LA Master Chorale. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– Oct. 23. (Sat.) Grant Geissman’s Cool Man Cool Band. Guitarist Geissman describes his current gig as “Cool music I like to play, with cool people I like to play with.” Expect cool results. Spaghettini. (562) 596-2199.
– Oct. 24. (Sun.) Miles Evans Band. Gil Evan’s son, trumpeter Miles Evans continues on his mission to “pick up where Gil Evans, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Jaco Pastorius and Rashied Ali left the notes on the page.” Catalina Bar & Grill.(323) 466-2210.
– Oct. 24. (Sun.) The Mozart Classical Orchestra. Ami Porat conducts the MCO in a performance of the Mozart Symphony No. 33, the Bach Sinfonia Op.3 No. 2 in C Major and the Haydn Cello Concerto in C Major, performed by Timothy Landauer. Performing Bach, Haydn and Mozart. Irvine Barclay. Irvine Barclay Theatre. (949) 854-4646.
San Diego
– Oct. 21. (Thurs.) Stanley Clarke & Hiromi. Bassist Clarke and keyboardist Hiromi continue to develop their musically provocative relationship. Anthology. (619) 595-0300.
San Francisco
– Oct. 20. (Wed.) Cherry Poppin’ Daddies and Lavay Smith & The Red Hot Skillet Lickers. Swing is alive and well in the hands of the Daddies (who just celebrated their 20th anniversary) and the glamorous jazz divadom of the entertaining Lavay and her players. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
– Oct. 20 & 21. (Wed. & Thurs.) Avishai Cohen. Bassist Cohen leads his “Aurora” Project Quintet in a program of music that finds common ground between jazz and some compelling world music sounds. Vocalist Karen Malka and oud player Amos Hoffman are featured, with pianist Shai Maestro and percussionist Itamar Doari. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
New York
– Oct. 19 – 23. (Tues. – Sat.) Jane Monheit. The Grammy-nominated Monheit brings her svelte sound and intimate interpretations to Birdland just in time to celebrate the release of her new CD, Home. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– Oct. 19 – 24. (Tues. – Sun.) George Wein & The Newport All Stars. Wein, who probably enjoys playing piano at least as much as he likes to produce concerts, celebrates his 85th birthday with the supportive musical companionship of trumpeter Randy Brecker, saxophonist Lew Tabackin, guitarist Howard Alden, bassist Rufus Reid, drummer Lewis Nash & Some Very Special Guests. Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. (212) 258-9800.
The International Review of Music 