By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Mar. 1. (Tues.) Alan Bergman. It’s always fun to hear a songwriter perform his own songs. But it’s even better when the songwriter is also a singer with a richly nuanced interpretative style. In Bergman, you get all that and more. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. http://www.vibratogrilljazz.com
– Mar. 2. (Wed.) Bill Cunliffe Piano Trio. Pianist, composer, arranger and Grammy winner Cunliffe applies his multi-hyphenate skills to the musical clarity of the jazz piano trio setting. His associates are Joe La Barbera, drums, Ryan McGillicuddy, bass. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Mar. 2. (Wed.) Isabel Rose. She does it all — co-wrote and starred in the film, Anything But Love, has written a novel — intriguingly titled The J.A.P. Chronicles — and a one-woman musical. As if that wasn’t enough, she also sings and swings on her CD Swingin’ From the Hip with an authenticity that reaches into the classic traditions of American pop song. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Mar. 2. (Wed.) Baroque Variations: Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin. Here’s a unique opportunity to hear a program of Baroque music performed by one of the world’s finest period instrument ensembles. Walt Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– Mar. 3. (Thurs.) David Becker Tribune. International guitar star Becker’s group Tribune has been bringing their global overview to dynamic jazz performances for more than two decades. Mostly on tour around the world, they’re making a rare Southern California appearance. Don’t miss it. Becker, guitars, Bruce Becker-drums, Jim Donica bass, Aniela Perry cello. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Mar. 3. (Thurs.) Gerald Clayton Trio. Raised in the Southland in a highly visible musical family (his father is bassist John Clayton, his uncle is saxophonist Jeff Clayton), pianist Gerald Clayton has emerged, in his mid-twenties as one of the most compelling, versatile and engaging jazz artists of his generation. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Mar. 3. (Thurs.) “Mulligan Stew” Drummer Paul Kriebich celebrates West Coast cool jazz in a tribute to Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker. His band includes Charlie Orenia, saxophone, Ron Stout, trumpet, Chris Conner, bass. LAX Jazz Club at the Crown Plaza LAX. (310) 258-1333.
– Mar. 3. (Thurs.) Eric Reed Quartet. A jazz prodigy when he was still a teen-ager, pianist Reed’s resume has since included gigs with everyone from Freddie Hubbard and Wayne Shorter to Quincy Jones and Wynton Marsalis. He performs with Jacques Lesure, guitar, Hamilton Price, bass, Kevin Kanner, drums. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Mar. 3 & 4. (Thurs. & Fri.) Scharoun Ensemble of the Berlin Philharmonic. The much honored octet of players from the Berlin Philharmonic perform Mozart’s Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, Beethoven’s Septet in Eb Major and the Schubert Octet in F Major. Thurs. UCLA Live Royce Hall. UCLA Live at Royce Hall. (310) 825-2101. Fri. Irvine Barclay Theatre. (949) 854-4646.
– Mar. 5. (Sat.) Rebecca Coupe Franks. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. A Californian by birth, trumpeter Franks has become a New Yorker by career, performing with the likes of Lou Donaldson, Ben Riley, Kenny Barron and others. She makes a rare Southland appearance. (310) 474-9400. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
– Mar. 5. (Sat.) Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter. With Dave Holland and Vinnie Colaiuta. It’s an iconic, all-star night when old musical pals Hancock and Shorter get together, backed by the dynamic bass of Holland and the multi-layered, hard-driving drumming of Colaiuta. Walt Disney Hall. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– Mar. 5. (Sat.) The 11th Annual Brazilian Carnaval Exotica. The annual celebration of Brazilian carnaval in Los Angeles converts Club Nokia into an opportunity to indulge the senses and get lost in a pulsating sea of samba, sequins, masks and feathers. In addition to Chalo Eduardo’s all-star band, the celebration will feature the Brazilian Nites Samba Dancers and a 100 piece community drum circle. 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. Club Nokia. (213) 765-7000.
– Mar. 5. (Sat.) Chick Corea and Gary Burton. Corea and Burton revive a partnership that began with the 1972 album Crystal Silence – described by NPR as “one of the seminal recordings of the decade.” UCLA Live at Royce Hall. (310) 825-2101.
– Mar. 6. (Sun.) Gerald Wilson Orchestra. At 92, Wilson has been leading impressive, hard swinging big bands for nearly seventy years. And they’ve all reflected his free roaming imagination, his mastery of big band instrumentation and his fierce conducting techniques. Don’t miss this opportunity to see and hear him in action. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
San Francisco
– Mar. 1. (Tues.) Aaron Goldberg Trio. Pianist Goldberg is an A-list choice for Joshua Redman, Nicholas Payton, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. But the best way to hear him may be with his long standing trio – with Matt Penman, bass and Eric Harland, drums. He’ll also be joined by some surprise quests from the SFJAZZ Collective. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
– Mar. 3. (Thurs.) Elvin Bishop. Bishop’s long musical road has reached from the Butterfield Blues Band and his mid-‘70s hit, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” to side trips into blues taverns, concert stages and music festivals around the world. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
New York
– Mar. 1 – 6 (Tues. – Sun.) Donald Harrison, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham Trio. All-Star is the proper phrase to use in describing this impressive, cross generational collective of jazz masters. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– Mar. 2. (Wed.) JD Walter. He still hasn’t received anything like the recognition his talent deserves, but Walter is a jazz vocalist to remember. No wonder the LA Times called him “an original in an art overpopulated with copycats.” 55 Bar. (212) 929-9883.
– Mar. 2 – 6. (Wed. – Sun.) Fred Hersch Duos & Trio +2. Pianist Hersch spreads his considerable skills around in a series of musical encounters. He’ll play duos on Wed. with singer Kate McGarry, on Thurs. with guitarist Julian Lage, and on Sunday with saxophonist Joshua Redman. And on Fri. and Sat., he’ll perform with his trio and saxophonist Noah Preminger and trumpeter Ralph Alessi. Jazz Standard. (212) 576-2232.
– Mar. 4 – 6. (Fri – Sun.) Larry Coryell Power Trio. Guitarist Coryell joins up with bassist Victor Bailey and drummer Lenny White to recall the rich textured sounds and fiery rhythms of jazz fusion. Iridium. (212) 582-2121.
Gerald Wilson photo by Tony Gieske.
The International Review of Music 