By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Oct. 11. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. It’s a Los Angeles jazz institution, combining veteran guitarist Pisano with some of the Southland’s (and the world’s) finest guitarists. This week, he’s trading riffs with Pat Kelley. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Oct. 11 – 13. (Tues. – Thurs.) HIT Week. Italian pop music in its many forms makes a three day stop in L.A. And there’s a lot to hear. On Tues. at Catalina Bar & Grill: Erica Mou and Nicola Conte. Wed. at the El Rey: Apres la Classe and Caparezza. Thurs. at The Key Club: Casino Royale and Subsonica. HIT Week in L.A.
– Oct. 13. (Thurs.) Daniela Mercury. One of Brazil’s true musical superstars, singer/dancer Mercury balances the creation of memorable hit records with live performances simmering with dynamic excitement. The Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857.
– Oct. 13 – 16. (Thurs. – Sat.) James Carter. There isn’t a saxophone – from soprano to bass – that Carter can’t make music with. And impressive music at that, ranging from driving bebop to irresistible blues, with all stops between. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Oct. 14. (Fri.) Lesa Terry Quartet. Dr. Lesa Terry is a jazz/classical violinist, educator, composer and scholar. And when she gets on stage with her quartet, she brings it all together into a fascinating musical mélange. Jazz at LACMA. (323) 857-6000.
– Oct. 14 & 15. (Fri. & Sat.) Barbara Morrison. Recovering from severe medical problems, Morrison – one of Southland jazz’s crown jewels – does what she does best: bring life and vigor to everything she sings. She’ll be celebrating Steamer’s 17th anniversary. Steamer’s. (714) 871-8800.
– Oct. 15. (Fri.) Bryan Ferry. Roxy Music’s Ferry makes his first solo U.S. tour in a decade, celebrating the release of his current studio album, Olympia. Expect to hear new songs from the album, as well as Ferry’s take on tunes by Tim Buckley and Traffic. The Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857.
– Oct. 15 & 16. (Sat. & Sun.) The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Jeffrey Kahane conducts the LACO in an engaging program of music, featuring soprano Karina Gauvin performing works by Benjamin Britten. The ensemble also plays Dvorak’s Nocturne in B Major and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3. Sat. at the Alex Theatre. Sun. at Royce Hall. (213) 622-7001. The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
San Francisco
– Oct. 11 & 12. (Tues. & Wed.) Stanley Jordan Trio. No one plays the guitar quite like Jordan, who taps the strings, producing sounds more pianistic than guitar-like. And he does so with imagination and swing. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
– Oct. 13. (Thurs.) Steve Kuhn. Solo piano. The list of names on Kuhn’s resume is a virtual history of the last fifty years of jazz. Adept and creative in any style, he’s rarely heard in a solo setting. So don’t miss this opportunity to hear his improvisational artistry in its most intimate form. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
Seattle
– Oct. 11 & 12. (Tues. & Wed.) Oregon. Before world music was a genre, Oregon was blending elements from around the globe with jazz, producing one of the authentically original improvisational styles of the last four decades. And they’re still at it. Jazz Alley. (206) 441-9729
Chicago
– Oct. 13 – 16. (Thurs. – Sun.) Robert Glasper Trio. Pianist Glasper continues to draw young listeners by finding ways to explore straight ahead jazz from a contemporary perspective. Jazz Showcase. (312) 360-0234.
Washington, D.C.
– Oct. 13 – 16. (Thurs. – Sun.) Jonathan Butler. South African singer/songwriter/guitarist Butler has been delighting audiences with his sweet-sounding voice and energetic guitar work since the mid-‘80s. Blues Alley. (202) 337-4141.
New York
– Oct. 11 – 16. (Tues. – Sun.) An Evening with Pat Metheny. Guitarist and musical innovator Metheny gets back to basics in a week of improvisational adventure, with bassist Larry Grenadier as his only companion. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– Oct. 11 – 16. (Tues. – Sun.) Renee Rosnes. Always a pleasure to hear, Rosnes’ dynamic piano work is in first rate company here, with the presence of vibist Steve Nelson, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash. Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. (212) 258-9800.
– Oct. 13 – 16. (Thurs. – Sun.) Vinicius Cantuaria. Brazilian guitarist Cantuaria started out as a percussionist, and it shows in the intensely passionate rhythms of his playing style. The Jazz Standard. (212) 576-2232.
– Oct. 15. (Sat.) Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau Duo. Saxophonist Redman and pianist Mehldau, two of the true jazz superstars of their generation, celebrate the 25th anniversary of the jazz program at the New School. Tishman Auditorium. (212) 229-54-88.
London
– Oct. 11 & 12. (Tues. & Wed.) The Cedar Walton Quartet. Veteran jazz pianist Walton, now 77, has played with an iconic, all-star list of great jazz artists. Listen to one set and you’ll understand why he’s been in such demand. Ronnie Scott’s. 020 7439 0747
Paris
– Oct. 11. (Tues.) The Billy Cobham Quartet. Drummer Cobham was one of the driving forces of jazz fusion, and he’s still going strong. New Morning. 01 45 23 51 41.
Berlin
– Oct. 11 & 12. (Tues. & Wed.) Kurt Rosenwinkel’s Time Machine. Guitarist Rosenwinkel expands his musical horizons with a band that features saxophonist Andrew D’Angelo, bassist Eric Revis, drummer Nasheet Waits and Rosenwinkel doubling on piano. A-Trane. 030 / 313 25 20.
Tokyo
Oct. 14 – 16. (Fri. – Sun.) Sophie Milman. Young Russian/Canadian singer Milman has been successfully finding a prominent place for her intriguing style amid the currently crowded field of female jazz vocalists. Blue Note Tokyo. 03-5485-0088.
The International Review of Music 