By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Aug. 9. (Tues.) George Cables Trio. Pianist Cables doesn’t make a lot of L.A. club appearances, so don’t miss this opportunity to hear the veteran artist in action. He’ll be backed by Pat Senatore and Joe LaBarbera. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Aug. 9. (Tues.) Jennifer Leitham. It’s a birthday celebration for bassist/singer Leitham who’ll be aided in her far-reaching skills by the solid backing of Andy Langham, piano and Randy Drake, drums. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058. www.charlieos.com
– Aug. 10. (Wed.) Blues Night. The title of this stellar evening is almost an understatement. With Robert Cray. Keb’ Mo’ and Mavis Staples on hand, it’ll be the blues in all its extraordinary manifestations. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000.
– Aug. 11. (Thurs.) Nuriya. The Skirball Center continues its high energy, Thursday night free concerts with an appearance by Mexican-born vocalist Nuriya, whose singing encompasses the sounds of her native land, as well as the Jewish, Middle Eastern traditions of her heritage. She’ll be backed by a high energy ten piece ensemble. Skirball Center. (310) 440-4500.
– Augs. 11. (Thurs.) Aaron Novik. Bass clarinetist Novik’s chamber ensemble crosses freely from jazz and pop to Jewish and Eastern European traditional musics. The Hammer Museum. Also at the Press Restaurant in Claremont on Friday.
– Aug. 11. (Thurs.) Dee Dee Bridgewater. Dynamic singer actress Bridgewater is a Tony and Grammy award winner. But even those honors don’t fully encompass the creative and musical excitement that is present every time she steps in front of an audience. The Grammy Museum. (213) 765-6800.
– Aug. 11. (Thurs.) Claudio Roditi. Brazilian trumpeter Roditi has been blending elements from his Brazilian roots with an impressive grasp of straight ahead jazz for three decades. LAX Jazz Club Crowne Plaza Hotel. (310) 642-7500.
– Aug. 12. (Fri.) Christian Jacob Trio. The all-star jazz trio pianist Jacob, bassist Kevin Axt and drummer Ray Brinker have been performing in impressive synchronicity with singer Karrin Allyson. Here, they show off their stuff in a pure piano jazz trio setting. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Aug. 12 (Fri.) Tizer. Versatile keyboardist Lao Tizer leads his unique band, Tizer, in a groove-driven, eclectic blend of jam based fusion and contemporary jazz. Violinist Karen Briggs is also on hand, and a few “special guests” may show up, as well. The Baked Potato. (818) 980-1615.
– Aug. 13. (Sat.) World Classic Rockers. The title pretty much says it all. It’ll be an evening featuring players from such high visibility rock bands as Steppenwolf, Santana, Boston, Journey, TOTO and Lynard Skynard. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.
– Aug. 13. (Sat.) Dolores Scozzesi. Jazz vocalist Scozzesi brings rich musicality, dramatic illumination and an eclectic overview to everything she sings. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Aug. 13 & 14. (Sat. & Sun.) The Gipsy Kings. There’s nothing quite like the music of the flamenco-driven, gypsy-styled music of the Gipsy Kings, for decades one of world music’s most engaging ensembles. The Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857.
– Aug. 14. (Sun.) Smooth Summer Jazz. Featuring Dave Koz, Bobby Caldwell, Sheila E., Larry Graham, Spyro Gyra. Phil Perry. The Bowl’s annual tribute to smooth jazz and instrumental pop, with some of the genres’ highest visibility performers bringing the evening to life. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000.
– Aug. 14. (Sun.) The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, conducted by Noreen Green. “Exaltation! Biblical Stories Through Music.” The LAJS presents a colorful evening of music — from classical, film and musical theatre sources — celebrating music inspired by the Bible. Special guests include Grammy nominee singer Amick Byram and 15 year old violinist Stephen Waarts. Selections include works by Andrew Lloyd Weber, Steven Schwartz, Jerry Bock, Alan Menken and Shuki Levy. The Ford Amphitheatre. (323) 461-3673.
San Francisco
– Aug. 9. (Tues.) Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. How Bad Can You Get:100 Years of Cab Calloway. The Voodoo Daddys recall Cab Calloway and the hard-driving, swing-based, dance jazz of the ‘30s and ‘40s. Yoshi’s San Francisco. http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/jazzclub/artist/show/1972 (415) 655-5600.
– Aug. 11. (Thurs.) Martin Taylor. A guitarist’s guitarist, admired by his contemporary artists, Taylor is arguably one of the finest solo guitarists you’ll ever hear. The Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse. (510) 644-2020.
– Aug. 14. (Sun.) Buffy Sainte-Marie. She’s been a compelling performer for decades, and Saint-Marie’s charisma – musically and dramatically – is still as powerful as ever. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
Seattle
Aug. 11 – 14. (Wed. – Sun.) Karrin Allyson. Jazz singer Allyson, one of the jazz vocal art’s most musically credible performers, celebrates the release of her latest CD, ‘Round Midnight, Jazz Alley. (206) 441-9729.
New York
– Aug. 9 – 10. (Tues. – Sat.) Kurt Rosenwinkel with OJM (the Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos). The ever versatile guitarist Rosenwinkel, always in search of musical challenges, performs with an intriguing musical ensemble from Portugal.Birdland. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– Aug. 9 – 14. (Tues. – Sun.) Jane Monheit. Blessed with one of the most gorgeous sounding voices in jazz, Monheit supplements her rich timbres with solid musicality and lively sense of swing. Her special guest will be the remarkably eclectic violinist Mark O’Connor. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– Aug. 9 – 14. (Tues. – Sun.) The Cedar Walton Quintet. Pianist Walton has assembled a convincingly creative ensemble, featuring the impressive artistry of trombonist (and conch shell player) Steve Turre, alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, bassist David Williams and drummer Willie Jones III. Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. (212) 258-9800.
Washington D.C.
-Aug. 12 – 14. (Wed. – Sun.) Jerry Gonzalez and Ft. Apache. They’ve been generating high voltage performances, spiced with Latin jazz rhythms, for three decades. This time out, the groove will no doubt be even more pyrotechnic with the presence of Cuban drummer Dafnis Prieto. Blues Alley. (202) 337-4141.
London
– Aug 11. (Thurs.) Gwilym Simcock Trio. His name may not be familiar (or even pronounceable) to most American jazz fans, but Simcock is one of the finest recent arrivals on the global jazz stage. Ronnie Scott’s. 020 7439 0747.
Dave Koz photo by Greg Allen.
The International Review of Music 