By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Aug. 23. (Tues.) Clay Jenkins. Good Signs CD concert. Trumpeter Jenkins celebrates the September release of his new CD with the stellar band on the album — guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Tom Warrington and drummer Joe LaBarbera. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Aug. 24. (Wed.) Alan Ferber Quartet. Versatile trombonist Ferber moves easily across numerous jazz styles, always with imaginative creativity. Here he makes one of his rare Southland appearances, working with bassist Pat Senatore, pianist Josh Nelson, and his brother, Mark Ferber. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Aug. 24. (Wed.) Arturo Sandoval, Natalie Cole, the Buena Vista Social Club with Omara Portuondo and Ninety Miles, featuring Stefon Harris, David Sanchez and Christian Scott. The Bowl sizzles with a far-ranging evening of Latin jazz in a wide array of manifestations and styles. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000
– Aug. 25. (Thurs.) Theo Saunders Quartet with Dave Binney. Pianist Saunders, a probing musical artist on his own, gets together with alto saxophonist Binney, whose career has been filled with adventurous musical explorations. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058.
– Aug. 25. (Thurs.) Mr. Vallenato. The Skirball’s free Sunset Concerts for 2011 close with a performance by Jorge Villarreal. a Mexican-American accordion virtuoso whose emotional romps through cumbia and vallenato music have prompted some reviewers to compare the excitement of his playing to that of the legendary Jimi Hendrix. The Skirball Cultural Center. Free. Doors open at 7 p.m. for an 8 p.m. performance. (310) 440-4500.
– Aug. 25. (Thurs.) Ken Peplowski. Clarinetist Peplowski has been doing an effective job of keeping the jazz clarinet alive (along with his equally impressive tenor saxophone work. He’s backed by pianist Mike Wofford, bassist Chuck Berghofer and drummer Paul Kreibich. LAX Jazz Club Crowne Plaza Hotel. (310) 642-7500.
– Aug. 25 – 27. (Thurs. – Sat.) Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. Married for more than forty years, McCoo and Davis continue to celebrate the entertaining music of the group that brought them together, the Fifth Dimension. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Aug. 26 & 27. (Fri. & Sat.) John Williams, Maestro of the Movies. With one of the most impressive catalog of film scores in his resume, Williams fully deserves the “Maestro” title. He conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a collection of his memorable music. In an added highlight, James Taylor will be guest narrator. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000.
– Aug. 27. (Sat.) Brian Wilson. One of the rock music figures who truly warrant the label “legendary” makes a rare concert appearance. Wilson – whose awards reach from Kennedy Center honors to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – will offer selections from many of his greatest Beach Boys hits. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.
San Francisco
– Aug. 25. (Thurs.) Oliver Lake Organ Quartet. Alto saxophonist Lake, a true Renaissance man, is also a poet, painter and performance artist. For this appearance, he’ll focus on expanding the arena of the jazz organ quartet with organist Jared Gold, trumpeter Freddie Hendrix and drummer Chris Beck. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
Chicago
– Aug. 25 – 31. (Thurs. – Wed.) Ira Sullivan and Friends. Eighty year old multi-instrumentalist Sullivan has always been one of jazz’s most impressive, but also elusive performers, sticking close to the Chicago area. Here he is again in his home territory, displaying his remarkable skills as a trumpeter, saxophonist, flutist and composer. Jazz Showcase. (312) 360-0234.
New York
– Aug. 23 – 27. (Tues. – Sat.) Richie Beirach Quintet. Veteran pianist Beirach burst onto the jazz scene in the early ‘70s with Stan Getz. And his multi-layered style is still a marvel of improvisational imagination. He performs with the cutting edge ensemble of Randy Brecker, trumpet, Gregor Huebner, violin, George Mraz, bass and Billy Hart, drums. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– Aug. 23 – 28. (Tues. – Sun.) Jon Faddis Quartet with special guests Sean Jones and Terell Stafford. Trumpeter Faddis, a protégée of Dizzy Gillespie, does his own mentoring in the company of young trumpeters Jones and Stafford. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
London
– Aug. 23. (Tues.) Buddy Greco and Lezlie Anders. Veteran pianist/singer Greco, who turned 85 earlier this month, is still adeptly offering the blend of bop-tinged piano and soaring vocals that have characterized his music since he left the Benny Goodman band in the late ‘40s for a solo career. He’ll perform with his wife, singer Lezlie Anders. Ronnie Scott’s. 020 7439 0747.
Tokyo
– Aug. 23 – 25. (Tues. – Thurs.) Ramsey Lewis Electric Band. Pianist/keyboardist Lewis continues to tour with his five piece electric band, mixing standards and new works with material from his 1974 gold album, Sun Goddes. The Blue Note Tokyo. 03-5485-0088.
The International Review of Music 