By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– July 6. (Wed.) The Ernie Andrews Quartet. The stylish, versatile Andrews – as convincing with a ballad standard as he is with the blues — performs with the bebop-driven alto saxophone of Richie Cole, and the stellar rhythm section of Art Hllary, piano, Richard Simon, bass and Ralph Penland, drums. “Sunset Jazz at Newport.” The Rose Garden of the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa. (949) 759-5003.
– July 6. (Wed.) Chieli Minucci. Guitarist/composer/producer divides his time between his Grammy nominated contemporary jazz group Special EFX and his busy schedule as an A-list sideman and composer for television and film. He makes his first Special EFX appearance at the Baked Potato with special guest, keyboardist Lao Tizer. Baked Potato. (818) 980-1615.
– July 6. (Wed.) Quattro. With four skilled player/singers – Giovanna Clayton, cello, Lisa Dondlinger, violin, Kayta Matsuno, guitar and Jorge Villanueva, percussion – and an unusual instrumentation, Quattro is all set to produce an evening of fascinating sounds. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– July 7. (Thurs.) The Fred Horn Quintet. “A Tribute to Horace Silver.” The inimitable Brick Wahl describes saxophonist Horn’s Silver tribute with a single, laudatory word: Cool. And Brick, as usual, is right on target. LAX Jazz Club in the Crowne Plaza LAX Hotel. (310) 642-7500.
– July 7. (Thurs.) Bobbi Page & Dream Street. Singer Page receives beautifully textured support from the lush timbres and subtle swing of Dream Street. It’s a great combination. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– July 8. (Fri.) The 18th Annual Brazilian Summer Festival. Call it Carnaval in the Summertime. A celebration of the irresistible rhythms of Brazil — samba, frevo, bossa nova, batucada. Headlining the festivities — Grammy winner Diogo Nogueira, the singing offspring of a family of samba artists. Also on the program, the dynamic music of Chalo Eduaro’s “Brazilian Beat” band and the shimmering costumes and energetic choreography of the Brazilian Nites Samba Dancers. A Brazilian Nites production at the Roxy Theatre. (818) 566-1111.
– July 8 & 9. (Fri. & Sat.) Steely Dan. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers perform two separate, but equally compelling programs. On Friday night they perform Aja and their greatest hits. On Saturday, a fan-voted set list. Greek Theatre. Special guest Sam Yahel. (323) 665-5857.
– July 9. (Sat.) Nellie McKay. The seemingly limitless talents of McKay – singer, pianist, songwriter, actress, satirist and more – are currently focused on an inventive musical reconstruction of the 1958 film, I Want To Live. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– July 9. (Sat.) Gary Foster/Alan Broadbent Quartet. It’s a combination that’s guaranteed to produce jazz at its finest. Foster’s saxophone playing and Broadbent’s piano come from the same imaginative perspective. And, with Broadbent planning to move to New York, he should be heard at every opportunity. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– July 9 & 10. (Sat. & Sun.) The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles. “Totally: Our ‘80s Show” The vocally adept, musically eclectic singers of the GMCLA call up plenty of memories with a program of songs by Cindy Lauper, Michael Jackson, Depeche Mode, Pat Benatar and more. The Avalon Hollywood. (424) 239-6514.
San Francisco
– July 8 – 10 (Fri. –Sun.) Michael Franks. It’s been more than three decades since Franks’ “Popsicle Toes” and “Lady Wants To Know” announced the arrival of a skilled new singer/songwriter witj a distinct jazz orientation. And he’s still going strong. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
New York
– July 5. (Tues.) Leni Stern. Guitarist Stern showcases her fascination with African rhythms with an ensemble that comfortably crosses the boundaries between jazz and Africa. 55 Bar. (212) 929-9883.
– July 8 – 10. (Fri. – Sun.) Carmen Lundy. The many musical gifts of Lundy have been apparent for years. But she’s never put them quite as prominently up front as she does on her latest album, Solamente, on which she plays all the instruments, sings all the songs and has written most of the music. She is truly one of a kind. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
Seattle
– July 7 – 10. (Thurs. – Sun.) Mose Allison. The bayou philosopher manages to sneak a bit of home grown wisdom into most of his songs. And he does so with memorable melodies, buoyant swing and an ever present sense of humor. Jazz Alley. (206) 441-9729. (206) 441-9729.
Chicago
– July 7 – 10. (Thurs. – Sun.) Judy Roberts Trio. Chicago’s favorite female jazz singer/pianist gets together with frequent musical companion, saxophonist/flutist Greg Fishman. Jazz Showcase (312) 360-0234.
London
– July 6. (Wed.) Jeff Lorber Fusion. Keyboardist Lorber’s pioneering Fusion group of the ‘70s and ’80 set the pattern for many of the contemporary jazz groups to follow. But none did it any better than the music Lorber has produced, then and now. Ronnie Scott’s 020 7439 0747.
Paris
– July 6 & 7. (Wed. & Thurs.) Bitches Brew Beyond. Trumpeter Wallace Roney’s mastery of the Miles Davis trumpet style makes him the ideal candidate for this re-imagining of the classic Bitches Brew material. Further enhancing the authenticity, Vince Wilburn, Jr. (Davis’ nephew) is in the drum chair. New Morning.
Tokyo
– July 8 – 10. )Fri. – Sun.) Bob James Trio. Keyboardist James takes a break from his heavy schedule with Fourplay to dig into a straight ahead, piano jazz trio set. He’ll also feature bassist Shadu Shah. Blue Note Tokyo. 03 5485 0088.
The International Review of Music 