By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Jan. 5. (Wed.) Tierney Sutton Band. Vocalist Sutton doesn’t just sing with a band; she brings her songs alive in an intimate, creative, musical companionship. And the results are always fascinating. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Jan. 6. (Thurs.) Elliot Deutsch Big Band. Trumpeter Deutsch celebrates his birthday leading his dynamic, youthful, big jazz ensemble. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Jan. 6. (Thurs.) Luther Hughes Cannonball Coltrane Project. Bassist Hughes’ Cannonball Coltrane Project re-visits the music from the classic, 1959 musical encounter between two jazz icons. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058.
– Jan. 7. (Fri.) Tom Peterson. He’s been a first call, A-list saxophonist for decades, and here’s a rare opportunity to hear him upfront, doing his own thing. He’s backed by the Pat Senatore Trio. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Jan. 8. (Sat.) Chris Botti. Coming off a month long run at New York’s Blue Note, the tireless trumpeter’s performance will offer another impressive reminder of why he’s become one of the world’s most successful and visible jazz artists. Segerstrom Concert Hall, Orange County Performing Arts Center. (714) 556-2787.
– Jan. 8. (Sat.) Andy Garcia and the CineSon All-Stars. Actor and percussionist Garcia leads a “Cuban Jam Session” featuring such a line up of Latin jazz all-stars headed by the superb playing of Danilo Lozano and Justo Almario, Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Jan. 8. (Sat.) New York Chamber Soloists. The distinguished chamber ensemble of strings, winds and keyboards performs a program of Bach, Saint-Saens and Beethoven. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.
– Jan. 9. (Sun.) New Christy Minstrels. The current installment of the Minstrels, still led by founder Randy Sparks will perform with special guest Barry McGuire. Expect to hear such classics as “Green Green,” ‘This Land Is Your Land,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee” as well as McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction.” Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.
San Francisco
– Jan. 5 & 6. (Wed. & Thurs.) The Ohio Players. They’ve been called, with good reason, “the greatest funk band ever.” The chart-topping band from the ‘70s still knows how to crank out foot-tapping, memorable performances. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
– Jan. 7 – 9. (Fri. – Sun.) Ain’t Misbehavin’. The Tony Award-winning musical makes its San Francisco debut. And there’s no better way to experience the irresistible music of Fats Waller. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
New York
– Jan. 5 – 9. (Wed. – Sun.) Kurt Rosenwinkel Quartet. Versatile guitarist Rosenwinkel brings a unique musical curiosity to everything he plays. Village Vanguard. (212) 929-4589.
– jan. 5 – 9. (Wed. – Sun.) “Overtone Quartet” Pianist Jason Moran, a recent winner of a MacArthur “genius” award, performs in the company of the equally stellar Chris Potter, saxophones, Larry Grenadier, bass and Eric Harland, drums. Birdland. (212) 591-3080.
– Jan. 6 – 9. (Thurs. – Sun.) Cassandra Wilson. Blessed with a gorgeous sound and an intuitive gift for phrasing, Wilson is at her best in the recently released CD, Silver Pony. Expect her to showcase some of the album’s sterling collection of songs. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– Jan. 7 & 8. (Fri. & Sat.) “The Company of Heaven Jazz Festival” A non-stop collection of cutting edge contemporary sounds. Fri: Matt Darriau’s Ballin’ the Jack, The Refuge Trio and Mike Musillami’s Trio. Sat: Jon Irabagon and Mike Pride, The Jay Clayton Trio, and Mario Pavone’s Totem Quartet. The Cornelia Street Cafe. (212) 989-9319.
Tierney Sutton and Chris Botti photos by Tony Gieske.
The International Review of Music 