By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Nov. 2. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. Brasil Night. Pisano expands his usual two-guitar format into an evening simmering with the irresistible rhythms of Brazil. With Federico Ramos, guitar, Jose Marino, bass, Enzo Todesco, drums. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Nov. 3. (Wed.) Ornette Coleman. Jazz in the post-bebop era wouldn’t have been what it was without the arrival of alto saxophonist and creative revolutionary Coleman on the scene. More than fifty years after he startled the New York City jazz crowd — musicians and fans — with his improvisationally free-flying ensemble, he’s still insists upon stretching the envelope of what jazz can’t and can do. As one of the important iconic figures in jazz history, he should be heard at every opportunity. A UCLA Live concert at Royce Hall. (310) 825-2101l.
– Nov. 4. (Thurs.) Sally Kellerman. Hot Lips is back. With hot jazz, cool jazz, a seasoning of country and a lot of stops in between. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Nov. 4. (Thurs.) Scott Whitfield Quartet. Trombonist Whitfield takes time off from his busy arranging, conducting and producing chores to lead a stellar L.A. ensemble featuring Roger Neumann, reeds, Corey Allen, piano, Adam Cohen, bass and Roy McCurdy, drums. And with luck, maybe Ginger Berglund will sit in for a number or two. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058.
– Nov. 4. (Thurs.) The Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Celebrating their 10th anniversary, the Grammy Award-winning Orchestra, led by keyboardist/arranger Oscar Hernandez revives and re-interprets the sounds and the rhythms of New York City’s salsa dura. The Conga Room. (213) 745-0162. (Also at Yoshi’s Oakland on Tues. & Wed.)
– Nov. 4. (Thurs.) Betty Bryant. She’s celebrating her 81st birthday, but Bryant’s ability to combine her smoky voice with her lush and rhythmic piano is as appealing as every. She’ll be aided by the engaging vocals of her special guest, singer Mark Miller. Jazz at the Crowne Plaza. (310) 642-7500.
– Nov. 4 – 7. (Thurs. – Sun.) Steve Tyrell. Multi music hyphenate Tyrell has moved from the business side to a performance persona aimed at keeping the American songbook alive via recordings and performances dedicated to the great standards. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Nov. 5. (Fri.) Djavan. Brazilian superstar Djavan has successfully blended Brazilian rhythms with pop, jazz, funk and beyond. Magnetic as a performer, he also has written memorable songs covered by the likes of Carmen McRae, Al Jarreau, the Manhattan Transfer and others. Club Nokia. (213) 765-7000.
– Nov. 5. (Fri.) Denise Donatelli. Performing in support of her new album, When Lights Are Low, Donatelli performs in the warm and friendly atmosphere of Charlie O’s laid-back jazz bar. To read a recent iRoM review of Donatelli click HERE. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058.
– Nov. 5. (Fri.) Cheryl Wheeler. Folk singer/songwriter Wheeler’s songs recall a folk era when ideas and points of view were essential elements in a songwriter’s bag of musical tools. McCabes. (310) 828-4497.
– Nov. 5. (Fri.) Ryuchi Sakamoto. El Rey. Pianist, composer, environmental activist Sakamoto performs pieces that reach from his catalog of film music to his fascination with the link between ambient sound and composed textures. The El Rey. (323) 936-4790.
– Nov. 5. (Fri.) Dontae Winslow Quartet. Trumpeter, composer and all around musical renaissance man Winslow’s resume reaches from USC’s Monk Institute of Jazz to gigs with Queen Latifah, Snoop Dog, Christina Aguilera and more. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Nov. 6. (Sat.) Ron Jones Jazz Influence Orchestra. It’s big band Saturday night, with the added pleasures of vocalists Calabria Foti and Seth MacFarlane. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. To read a recent iRoM review of the Jazz Influence Orchestra click HERE.
– Nov. 6 & 7. (Sat. & Sun.) The Los Angeles Philharmonic. Pablo Heras-Casado conducts Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, Debussy’s Jeux, Takemitsu’s riverrun and Stravinsky’s Concerto For Piano and Winds with pianist Peter Serkin. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– Nov. 7. (Sun.) Bobby Vinton. It’s hard to believe, but true, that singer Vinton – now 75 – had more Billboard #1 hits between 1962 and 1972 than any other male artist. His soaring voice, at its best in songs such as “Roses Are Red” and “Blue Velvet” are among the most memorable items from the soundtrack of the ‘60s. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8500.
San Francisco
– Nov. 2 & 3. (Tues. & Wed.) The Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Celebrating their 10th anniversary, the Grammy Award-winning Orchestra, led by keyboardist/arranger Oscar Hernandez revives and re-interprets the sounds and the rhythms of New York City’s salsa dura. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200. (Also at the Conga Room in Los Angeles on Thurs.)
– Nov. 5. (Fri.) Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers. Keyboardist and co-founder of The Doors Manzarek gets together with premier slide guitarist Rogers in search of some new takes on classic Doors songs. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
– Nov. 5 & 6. (Fri. & Sat.) Gil Scott-Heron. Before there was rap and hip-hop there was the remarkable blend of politically charged poetry that made Scott-Heron one of the important voices of the ‘70s civil rights movement. He’ll be performing selections from an upcoming album, his first since the early ‘90s. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
– Nov. 6. (Sat.) Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band. At 85, drummer Haynes – who’s worked with everyone from Charlie Parker to Pat Metheny – continues to lead and usually outshine groups of players two generations younger than he. An SF Jazz Festival event at the Herbst Theatre. (866) 920-5299.
– Nov. 7. (Sun.) The Yellowjackets and the Jeff Lorber Fusion. A pair of bands who successfully prove that popularity doesn’t have to mean diminished musicality. Lorber’s Fusion features the dynamic presence of trumpeter Randy Brecker and saxophonist Eric Marienthal. But expect fireworks from both these fine ensembles. An SF Jazz Festival event at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. (866) 920-5299.
New York
– Nov. 2 – 7. (Tues. – Sun.) Lou Donaldson Quartet. Alto saxophonist Donaldson, at 84, continues to perform impressively with the ear-catching combination of bebop, the blues and soul that have characterized his playing since the ‘50s. Village Vanguard. (212) 929-4589.
– Nov. 2 – 7. (Tues. – Sun.) Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars. Gillespie’s ability to surround himself with extraordinary young talent is on full display in this memorable celebration of his birthday. Featuring Wallace Roney, Jimmy Heath, Randy Brecker, Eric Alexander, Antonio Hart and Claudio Roditi. (Check club for schedule.) The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– Nov. 2 – 7. (Tues. – Sun.) The 11th Annual Django Reinhardt N.Y. Festival. “Schmitt Family Tributel” Night after night of gypsy jazz, featuring guitarists Dorado Schmitt and Samson Schmitt with special guests Anat Cohen, Miguel Zenon and others. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– Nov. 3 – 7. (Wed. – Sun.) Eliane Elias Quartet. Sao Paulo-born Elias’ most recent albums Bossa Nova Stories and Eliane Elias Plays Live reveal how completely she has merged her remarkable jazz instrumental skills with the Brazilian heartbeat of her warmly intimate vocals. She’s truly one of a kind. Iridium. (212) 582-2121.
The International Review of Music 