By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Oct. 18 – 20. (Tues. – Thurs.) John Scofield. Always looking for new musical adventures, guitarist Scofield has moved through every imaginable jazz variation, including – among others –blues, gospel, pop, funk and beyond. But he’s always been a solid bebop master, as well. Lately, he’s been going back to his straight ahead roots. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Oct. 19. (Wed. ) Roger Daltrey, who performed the original version, brings back one of the classics of the Rock Era in a performance of The Who’s Tommy. Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. (213) 763-6030.
– Oct. 19. (Wed.) Robert Davi. Film star and singer Davi celebrates the release of his new album, Davi Sings Sinatra: On the Road To Romance with a free concert at The Grove. To read a recent iRoM review of a performance by Davi, click HERE. (888) 315-8883.
– Oct. 20 (Thurs.) Film: “Ray Charles — Live in France 1961.” It doesn’t get much better than this. After being lost for 50 years, films of Charles in concert at the Antibes Jazz Festival have been discovered and digitally restored from the 16 mm. originals. Charles performs with the original Raelettes and a band that included David “Fathead” Newman and Hank Crawford. After the screening, there will be a panel discussion with director David Peck, producer Tom Gulotta, and Charles scholars James Austin and Rob Bowman, moderated by Charles’ biographer David Ritz. The Egyptian Theatre. 7:30 p.m.
– Oct. 20 (Thurs.) Diane Hubka. The sweet sound of Hubka’s voice blends perfectly with her 7-string guitar work. Add to that her understanding way with a song, finding the right blend of meaning between words and music. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Oct. 20 – 24. (Thurs. – Mon.) “Celebrating the West Coast Sound” A Four Day Jazz Festival. Featuring the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Bill Holman Big Band, Russ Garcia Big Band, Dave Pell Octet, Terry Gibbs, the Johnny Mandel Big Band, Woody Herman Alumni Band, Stan Kenton Alumni Band and much more in 26 concerts plus rare films and special presentations. LAX Marriott Hotel. Presented by the L.A. Jazz Institute.
– Oct. 21. (Fri.) Anna Mjoll. Iceland’s gift to jazz, now a member of the Southland’s impressive collection of jazz vocalists, performs with the Pat Senatore Trio. Vibrato Jazz Grill…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Oct. 21 & 22. (Fri. & Sat.) Eddie Daniels. The clarinet, relegated to the shadows in the bebop era, has been – and continues to be – alive and well in the gifted hands and fingers of Daniels, whose range reaches from a full battery of jazz styles to his unique classical interpretations. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Oct. 21 & 22. (Fri. & Sat.) Roslyn Kind. Yes, she’s Barbra Streisand’s sister. And yes, she has a voice with a similar soaring range and rich timbre. But what she does with it, the way she finds the meaning of a song, are all the products of her own imaginative musicality. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Oct. 22. (Sat.) “Sing the Truth” Angelique Kidjo, Lizz Wright, Dianne Reeves. A trio of very different divas apply their special skills to a program of music celebrating Miriam Makeba, Abby Lincoln, Odetta, Billie Holiday and other iconic female artists. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
Seattle
– Oct. 20 – 23. (Thurs. – Sun.) The Jazz Crusaders. The original Cruaders – featuring Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder – still conjuring up their own unique blends of funk, jazz, soul and blues. Jazz Alley. (206) 441-9729.
Chicago
– Oct. 20 – 23. (Thurs. – Sun.) The Wallace Roney Quintet. Trumpeter Roney, whose playing springs from Miles Davis roots, is joined by his brother, saxophonist Antoine Roney. Jazz Showcase. (312) 360-0234.
New York
– Oct. 18 – 22. (Tues. – Sat.) Phil Woods Quintet. Master bop alto saxophonist Woods showcases a quintet that includes two long-time associates – bassist Steve Gilmore and drummer Bill Goodwin, along with new members Brian Lynch, trumpet and Bill Mays, piano. Birdland. (212) 581-3080/
– Oct 18 – 23 (Tues. – Sun.) Tom Harrell. The veteran trumpeter displays his impressive skills in a pair of different musical settings. Tues. – Thurs. with his Chamber Ensemble and Fri. – Sun. with his Quintet. Village Vanguard (212) 255-4037.
– Oct. 20 – 23. (Thurs. – Sun.) The Festival of New Trumpet Music Celebrating Kenny Wheeler. Canadian/English trumpeter Wheeler, long associated with adventurous, envelope-stretching music, makes a rare NYC appearance. On Thurs. with Ingrid Jenson + Brass, on Fri. & Sat. with the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, and on Sunday with his Quintet. Jazz Standard. (212) 576-2232.
Paris
– Oct. 22. (Sat.) Gregory Porter. The big voice and versatile stylings of vocalist Porter are rapidly establishing him as one of the most intriguing vocal arrivals of the last few years. New Morning. 01 45 23 51 41.
Berlin
– Oct. 23. (Sun,) Mark Murphy Meets Till Bronner. Legendary jazz singer Murphy performs in a loose, swinging setting with German trumpeter/singer Bronner. Expect to experience some fascinating, cutting edge singing and playing. A-Trane Jazz. 030 / 313 25 50.
The International Review of Music 