By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Jan. 25. (Tues.) John Pisano Guitar Night features the always compelling playing of Anthony Wilson in the downstairs lounge. Upstairs, the jazz voices take over, with the Peter Eldridge Group and Dollison & Marsh’s Vertical Voices. Grammy nominated pianist Geoff Keezer provides his usual scintillating accompaniment. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Jan. 25. (Tues.) Itzhak Perlman in Recital. The masterful veteran violinist is accompanied by pianist Rohan de Silva in a program of music by Leclair, Saint-Saens and Beethoven. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– Jan. 25 – Feb. 6. (Tues. – Sat.(6)). “Hair” The definitive musical theatre work of the counter-culture sixties, filled with memorable songs, from “Aquarius” and “Easy to Be Hard” to “Frank Mills” and “Good Morning Starshine.” Segerstrom Concert Hall. OCPAC. (714) 556-2787.
– Jan. 27. (Thurs.) Jorge Drexler. Oscar-winning (for “Al Otro Lado del Rio” in The Motorcycle Diaries) Uruguayan singer/songwriter Drexler makes his first L.A. appearance since his sold out concert at Disney Hall three years ago. Skirball. (310) 440-4500.
– Jan. 27. (Thurs.) The Frank Marocco Quartet. Accordionist Marocco affirms, in every performance, the tonal warmth, harmonic richness and articulate swing that he can generate from his too often maligned instrument.Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Jan. 27. (Thurs.) Luther Hughes & the Cannonball Coltrane Project. Bassist Hughes and his companions revive the music from one of great jazz classic albums. LAX Jazz Club at the Crown Plaza LAX. (310) 258-1333.
– Jan. 28. (Fri.) Julie Kelly with the John Heard Trio. Kelly singing is one of the Southland’s vocal jazz blessings, whether she’s tip-toeing through bossa nova or applying her rich sound to an intimate ballad. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058.
– Jan. 28. (Fri.) Ernie Watts. Everyone’s a-list, number one saxophonist, Watts delivers on all counts – tone, imagination, drive and the utter uniqueness that all great jazz players possess. Steamers (714) 871-8800.
– Jan. 28. (Fri.) Ron Stout. Bearded Ron Stout, whose easy transitions from jazz soloing to adept section playing have made him one of the Southland’s most in-demand trumpeters, shows up for an infrequent appearance in the spotlight. He’ll be backed by the sterling trio of pianist Tom Ranier, bassist Pat Senatore and drummer Kevin Kanner. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Jan. 28 – 30. (Fri. – Sun.) “A Chorus Line.” Winner of nine Tony awards and a Pulitzer Prize, A Chorus Line, with its memorable music and stellar dancing, is one of the great musical theatre pieces. If you haven’t seen it yet, don’t miss this rare opportunity. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.
– Jan. 28 – 30. (Fri. – Sun.) Robben Ford/Roger Kellaway Band. Guitarist Ford and pianist Kellaway, each a unique and very different jazz stylist, get together for what should be a fascinating musical encounter. Vocalist Anne Kerry Ford adds her richly personal way with a song. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Jan. 29. (Sat.) Karsh Kale & MIDIval Punditz. Indian music goes strikingly contemporary with the electronic fusion of tabla artist Kale. He’ll be joined by his frequent collaborators MIDIval Punditz, guitarist Chris Buono, ghazal master Vishal Vaid and electric violinist Dorian Cheah. Royce Hall. (310) 825-4401.
– Jan. 29. (Sat.) Alan Paul. Manhattan Transfer’s Paul takes a break from his ensemble responsibilities for a solo turn. He follows his partners Janis Siegel and Cheryl Bentyne onto the stage at Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Jan. 30. (Sun.) Ed Shaughnessy Quintet. Veteran drummer has demonstrated his versatility with everything from avant-garde jazz to a long stint in the Tonight Show band. This time out he applies his two bass drum percussion magic to his own quintet. The inimitable Bubba Jackson Hosts. KJAZZ Sunday Champagne Brunch. The Twist Restaurant in the Renaissance Hollywood \Hotel. (562) 985-2999.
– Jan. 30. (Sun.) Los Angeles Master Chorale: London Bridges. L.A.’s always adventurous voices reach into the deep, centuries old English choral music tradition. They’ll sing works by William Byrd, John Tavener, Benjamin Britten and more. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– Jan. 30. (Sun.) Mozart Classical Orchestra. A Happy Birthday tribute to the MCO’s namesake. Ami Porat conducts the Mozart Symphony No. 36 (“Linz”), Il Re Pastore Overture and the Violin Concerto No. 4. (with violinist Roberto Cani). Irvine Barclay.
– Jan. 30. (Sun.) Sing! Sing! Sing! “Let’s Face the Music of Irving Berlin. Judy Wolman leads an all-join-in celebration of the extraordinarily rich Berlin musical catalog. Sing! Sing! Sing!. Keyboard Concepts.
– Jan. 31. (Mon.) The Bill Holman Big Band. Holman’s arranging and composing have stamped him as one of the true poets of big band jazz. His too rare appearances leading his own group are as fascinating to the musicians who play his charts as they are to the audiences fortunate enough to hear them. Don’t miss this one. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
San Francisco
– Jan. 27 & 28. (Thurs. & Fri.) Bobby Hutcherson celebrates his 70th anniversary with his quartet and the unique sounds of special guest Anthony Wilson on guitar. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
– Jan. 29. (Sat.) Lizz Wright. The singing of Wright is deeply rooted in gospel, and she moves freely across blues and rock, as well, adding spice and substance drawn from her affection for, and skill with jazz. Yoshi’s Oakland.
New York
– Jan. 25 – 30 (Tues. – Sun.) Jacky Terrasson Trio. French pianist Terrasson applies his crisply swinging style in a trio setting with bassist Ben Williams and drummer Jamire Williams. Village Vanguard. (212) 255-4037.
– Jan. 25 – 30. (Tues. – Sun.) Randy Weston and African Rhythms. At eighty four, pianist/composer Weston continues to explore (and discover) the rich connections between jazz and it African roots. He’s accompanied by bassist Alex Blake, percussionist Neil Clarke, drummer Lewis Nash, (Tues. – Fri.) and saxophonist Billy Harper (Sat. & Sun). Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. (212) 258-9800.
– Jan. 25 – 29. (Tues. – Sat.) “Hub Art: The Music of Freddie Hubbard.” The late, great trumpeters music is performed in authentic fashion by Nicholas Payton, trumpet, Javon Jackson, tenor saxophone, George Cables, piano, Dwayne Burno, bass and Lenny White, drums. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– Jan. 27 – 30. (Thurs. – Sun.) Tony Williams Lifetime Tribute. Jack Bruce, bass and vocals, Vernon Reid, guitar, John Medeski, keyboards/organ and Cindy Blackman, drums get together once again to revive the extraordinary fusion sounds of the Lifetime. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– Jan. 28. (Fri.) “Girls Gone Mild” With Rebecca Martin, Gretchen Parlato and Becca Stevens. Three gifted jazz canaries introduce their new trio. Backed by Chris Tordini and Larry Grenadier on basses, with Martin and Stevens playing guitar, ukulele, etc. and Parlato doubling on percussion, they’re explore everything from standards and originals to brand new material. Cornelia St. Café. (212) 989-9319.
Randy Weston photo by Tony Gieske.
The International Review of Music 