By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– April 5. (Tues.) Junko Onishi Trio. Japanese pianist Onishi confirms her return to jazz action last year after a performance break of nearly a decade. She kicks off her American tour tonight with the backing of the sterling rhythm team of bassist Dwayne Burno and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323)466-2210 (Also at Yoshi’s Oakland on April 6.)
– April 5. (Tues.) Ostad Abbos Kosimov. Traditional Uzbek and Tajik Percussion Music and Dance. Percussionist Kosimov is one of the world’s masters of the doyra frame drum. He is joined by the CalArts Persian and World Music ensembles, as well as members of his own Abbos Ensemble in an exploration of the music of Uzbekistan. Tara Pandeya adds the sensual movements of Central Asian dance. REDCAT. (213) 237-2800.
– April 5. (Tues.) Lorenzo Lamas. You may remember him as Jane Wyman’s evil stepson in Falcon Crest. But Lamas (yes, from that family) is also an effective musical purveyor of the romantic side of cabaret. Vibrato Grill Jazz… (310) 474-9400.
– April 6. (Wed.) Kenny Burrell Jazz Heritage All Stars. For once, the label “All-Stars” has real significance. Veteran guitarist/educator Burrell puts it all together with trumpter (and also educator) Bobby Rodriguez, saxophonist Justo Almario, drummer Clayton Cameron and more. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– April 6. (Wed.) The Kronos Quartet. The creatively eclectic, Grammy winning string quartet celebrates composer Steve Reich’s 75th birthday with the performance of a newly commissioned work. Segerstrom Center for the Arts. (714) 556-2787.
– April 6. (Wed.) Salif Keita. The voice of Keita, with its soaring tones, penetrating sound and inspiring rhythms, is one of the great glories of African popular music. The Conga Room. (213) 745-0162.
– April 6. (Wed.) Blue Lou Marini. Veteran New York saxophonist Marini makes one of his rare West Coast appearances, performing with trumpeter Walt Fowler, pianist John Campbell, bassist Chuck Berghofer, drummer Peter Erskine and special guests. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– April 7. (Thurs.) Big Willie’s Burlesque. Busy drummer Willie McNeil’s Quartet lays down some classic backbeat sounds to inspire the irresistible moves of dancer Carolina Cerisola. They call it “old school burlesque with a cutting edge, Latin, new school vibe.” The Edison Downtown. (213) 613-0000.
– April 7. (Thurs.) V. R. Smith Sextet. It’s a Smith Family Night. With vocalist V.R. Smith backed by the band of her husband, bassist Putter Smith — with Gary Foster alto saxophone, Chuck Manning, tenor saxophone, Jim Szilagyi, piano and Tim Pleasant, drums. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058.
– April 7 – 10. (Thurs. – Sun.) Rachelle Ferrell. Blessed with one of the most impressive voices in the jazz vocal world, Ferrell is also a uniquely appealing song stylist. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. .
– April 8. (Fri.) Arlo Guthrie and Friends. Folk music patriarch returns to UCLA, this time with his “Journey On” tour, featuring his son, Abe Guthrie and the folk-rock trio The Burns Sisters. UCLA Live. Royce Hall. (310) 825-2101.
– April 9. (Sat.) Jazz Fundraiser for Japan. Vitello’s April Williams has assembled an impressive collection of the Southland’s finest jazz artists for a 12 hour fundraiser for Japan. Among the participants: Alan Pasqua, Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, Darek Oles, Alex Acuna, the Wayne Bergeron Big Band, Denise Donatelli, Joe La Barbera, Larry Koonse, Tom Warrington, Bob Sheppard and many more. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– April 9. (Sat.) Plas Johnson. Although he’s been a vital member of the Southland jazz community for decades, Johnson is best known for his memorable solo work on “The Pink Panther” theme. But he’s got a lot more than that to offer. He’ll be playing with pianist Tom Ranier, bassist John Giannelli and drummer Fritz Wise. Giannelli Square. (818) 772-1722.
– April 9. (Sat. ) Wind Soloists of New York and Pedja Muzijevic. The superb wind instrumentalists of this much praised ensemble join with pianist Muzijevic to perform a dynamic program of works by Beethoven, Saint-Saens, Prokofiev and Poulenc. And they’ll do so in the elegant Pompeian Room of the Doheny Mansion. The Da Camera Society. (213) 477-2929.
– April 10 (Sun.) Greta Metassa. Seattle-based singer Metassa is far less known than she should be. In this rare Southland appearance, she’ll deliver her beautifully crafted vocals in a plush, private mini concert hall in Beverly Hills. Hopefully, she’ll include songs from her latest CD, I Wanna be Loved.” Backing her: the world class rhythm section of pianist Mike Garson, bassist Clipper Anderson and drummer Bob Leatherbarrow. To book seats, click on Resonance Records. Address will be given when the reservation is made.
San Francisco
– April 6. (Wed.) Junko Onishi Trio. Japanese pianist Onishi confirms her return to jazz action last year after a performance break of nearly a decade. She’ll be backed by the sterling rhythm team of bassist Dwayne Burno and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
– April 8. (Fri.) Madeleine Peyroux. Moving beyond the Billie Holiday musical frame that had narrowed her music for too long, Peyroux is now finding her own way, as unique musical persona and an intriguing songwriter. SF Jazz Spring Season. Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. (415) 398-5655.
– April 9. (Sat.) Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester. The music of the twenties and thirties comes vividly back to life in the hands of Raabe and his extraordinarily versatile musicians. Always as musically provocative as they are entertaining, they’re one of a kind. SFJAzz Spring Season. Paramount Theatre, Oakland. .
– April 10. (Sun.) The Asaad Brothers “Da Volta as Raizes” Offspring of a famouns musical family, the two guitar duo of the Asaad brothers play everything from Bach transcriptions and gypsy jazz to Brazilian samba and the music of the Middle East. SFJAZZ Spring Season. Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. (415) 398-5655.
New York
– April 4 (Mon.) Fund Raising Concert For Japan. The New York jazz community steps up to play a concert in support of the beleaguered people of Japan. Toshiko Akiyoshi; Cecil Bridgewater; Sam Burtis; Jerry Dodgion; Roy Hargrove; Tom Harrell; Barry Harris; Fred Hersch; Rene Manning; Earl McIntyre; Jimmy Owens; Rufus Reid; Marvin Stamm; Lew Tabackin; Kenny Werner and many others. The Village Vanguard. (212) 255-4037.
– April 5 – 10. (Tues. – Sun.) Toots Thielemans with Kenny Werner and Oscar Castro-Neves. As if that weren’t enough, Werner will also do a set each night with his Quintet featuring Lionel Loueke and Miguel Zenon. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– April 8. (Fri.) Rudresh Mahanthappa’s “Gama.” With David Fiuczynski, guitar, Francois Moutin, bass and Dan Weiss, drums. Altoist Mahanthappa and Fiuczynski have been working together lately in Jack DeJohnette’s band. Here they dip into some of the fascinating improvisational territory between jazz and Indian music. Cornelia St. Café. (212) 989-9319.
The International Review of Music 