By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Feb. 22. (Tues.) Anthony Wilson Quartet. Wilson’s skills reach well beyond his impressive guitar chops and into his primo abilities as a composer and arranger. Diana Krall’s been lucky to have him in her band for the last few years. Here he is in the spotlight. Vibrato Jazz Grill…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Feb. 24. (Thurs.) Terry Trotter and Chuck Berghofer. The Dynamic Duo of pianist Trotter and bassist Berghofer combine decades of jazz experience and far reaching improvisational imagination in everything they play. Charlie O’s. (818) 914-3058.
– Feb. 24 – 26. (Thurs. – Sat.) Joey DeFrancesco. The master of the Hammond B-3 has been Down Beat’s top jazz organist every year since 2003. Listen to the first tune he plays and you’ll know why. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Feb. 25. (Fri.) Phil Ranelin Jazz Ensemble. Trumpeter Marcus Belgrave is a special guest with trombonist Ranelin’s always-energized ensemble. The performance celebrates Black History Month as well as the release of the new Ranelin CD, Perserverance. Culver’s Club for Jazz in the Radisson LA Westside Hotel. (310) 649-1776 Ext. 4137.
– Feb. 26. (Sat.) Joyce Cooling and Earl Klugh. A pair of smooth jazz/fusion/crossover guitarists are featured in a double evening of hard-swinging, melodically lyrical and groove-oriented music. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (800) 300-4345.
– Feb. 26. (Sat.) Betty Buckley and Marvin Hamlisch. Broadway star Buckley (Cats, Triumph of Love, Sunset Blvd. etc.) teams up with pianist/songwriter Hamlisch. Expect to hear one memorable hit after another. Valley Performing Arts Center. http://www.valleyperformingartscenter.org (818) 677-8800.
– Feb. 26. (Sat.) Helen Sung and the David Benoit Trio. Pianist Sung performs a diverse program of jazz, classical and pop with the Benoit Quartet and members of the Asia America Youth Orchestra. The award-winning composer/pianist’s Southland appearances are rare, so don’t miss this especially intriguing performance. Norris Pavilion, Rolling Hills Estates.
San Francisco
– Feb. 24 & 25. (Thurs. & Fri.) PSP. The international jazz trio of pianist Philippe Saisse, bassist Pino Palladino and drummer Simon Phillips – in demand players as individuals – come together with an imaginative musicality affirming the truly global reach of jazz. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
– Feb. 27. (Sun.) Women in Jazz. Featuring Ruth Davies, Roberta Donnay, Brenda Wong Aoki and Destiny Muhammad. A stellar line up of the Bay area’s fine distaff jazz artists perform a benefit concert for the Jazz Heritage Center. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
New York
– Feb. 22 – 26. (Tues. – Sat.) Quest. All-Star is the appropriate phrase to use when describing this impressive jazz collective, whose members include saxophonist Dave Liebman, pianist Richie Beirach, bassist Ron McClure and drummer Billy Hart. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– Feb. 23 – 27. (Wed. – Sun.) Monk’s Dream: Fifty Years Fresh. The Music of Thelonious Monk & the Expanding Universe of Bebop. It’s a long title, but the music makes it worthwhile, as pianist Benny Green explores Monk’s ever-vital music in the company of Jesse Davis, alto saxophone, Peter Washington, bass and Kenny Washington, drums. Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. (212) 258-9800.
– Feb. 24 – 27. (Thurs. – Sun.) Lionel Loueke Trio with special guest Jason Moran. Anticipate a remarkable evening of world class music with this group. Loueke is one of the most versatile guitarists of recent memory, pianist Moran last year received a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant, and bassist Massimo Biolcati and drummer Ferenc Nemeth are a dynamic rhythm team. The Jazz Standard. (212) 576-2232.
The International Review of Music 