By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Jan. 16. (Mon.) Clare Fischer Big Band. The multiple Grammy-winning composer/arranger/pianist (and more) has a resume reaching from Dizzy Gillespie and Donald Byrd to Prince and Paul McCartney, with numerous stops in between. His own groups have reached from small to large, covering a brilliantly eclectic array of creative styles. This time out, it’s his dynamic, colorful music for big band. However, because Fischer is recovering from a recent heart attack, the performance will be conducted by his son, arranger/composer Brent Fischer. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Jan. 17. (Tues.) Pia Zadora. Singer, actress, Golden Globe winner and Grammy nominee Zadora has always been at her best in live performances, when her natural skills as an entertainer are on full display, as they undoubtedly will be here. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Jan. 17 – 21. (Tues. – Sat.) Gilad Hekselman. Critically praised Israeli jazz guitarist Hekselman is the winner of the 2005 Gibson Guitar Competition. This week he introduces himself to the Southland via a string of appearances around L.A., mostly with Ben Wendel, tenor saxophone, Dave Robair, bass and Ferenc Nemeth, drums. On Tues. with John Pisano and Robair at Vitello’s. On Wed. with the Matt Otto Quartet at the Blue Whale. On Thurs. with his Quartet at Alva’s Showroom. On Friday with his Trio at Agoura High School. And on Saturday with his Quartet at the Blue Whale.
– Jan. 19. (Thurs.) Billy Childs Electric Band. Ever eager to take his probing musical curiosity into different territories, pianist/composer Childs takes a break from his chamber jazz ensemble to turn on the switches of his Electric Band. The Baked Potato. (818) 980-1615.
– Jan. 19 – 21. (Thurs. – Sat. ) Chris Minh Doky. Danish bassist/producer Doky has thoroughly established himself – via his own groups, his producing, and the band he formed with his brother, Chris – as one of the vital players in today’s contemporary, crossover jazz scene. His group, the Nomads, is energized by the vibrant drumming of Dave Weckl. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Jan. 20. (Fri.) OVO. Cirque d’Soleil’s latest extraordinary adventure opens at the Santa Monica Pier. This time out, the company’s incredibly gifted performers, musicians and artists take on the world of insects, a world enlivened by elements that are “tender and torrid, noisy and quiet, peaceful and chaotic. ” All of which becomes even more engaging when a mysterious egg appears in their midst. Cirque d’Soleil’s OVO. Under the big top at the Santa Monica Pier.
– Jan. 20. (Fri.) KALPA. A fascinating multi-media event takes place in the wide open spaces of the Getty Center Entrance Hall Steps and Arrival Plaza. Created by Hirokazu Kosaka, it has a score by Yuval Ron. Performers include Tetsuya Nakamura, harmonica and Japanese circular pan flute, Yuval Ron, autoharp and electronics, Rafael Lopez-Barrentez, vocals. The Getty Center. (310) 440-7300.
– Jan. 21. (Sat.) “Elis: A Celebration.” Singer/dancer Katia Moraes has assembled a tribute to the legendary Brazilian singer, Elis Regina – an influence on Moraes’ musical growth from the time she was a teen-ager. The event includes a photo art exhibition, a video screening, and a live performance, all focused on memories of the remarkable Elis. Brasil Brasil Cultural Center. (310_ 397-3667.
– Jan. 21. (Sat.) Kathleen Battle. The gorgeous voice of soprano Battle is applied to a program of spirituals, backed by pianist Cyrus Chestnut and the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers. Royce Hall. UCLA Live. (310) 825-2101.
– Jan. 21. (Sat.) Gretchen Parlato. In a jazz world populated by a continuing line of newly arriving female singers, Parlato continues to hold her own. Applying her subtle range of vocal sounds with creative insights, telling musical stories enriched with flowing rhythms, she is a memorable performer – one of a kind. The Musicians Institute Concert Center. A Jazz Bakery Movable Feast. (310) 271-9039.
Jan. 21 – 22. (Sat. & Sun.) New Shanghai Circus. Acrobats, tumblers, contortionists and strong men, aerial ballet and flying trapeze acts – and that’s just the beginning of the astonishing sights presented by this extraordinary collection of talented artists. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.
– Jan. 22. (Sun.) Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Mostly Mozart. Andrew Shulman conducts the versatile and gifted players of the LACO in Mozart’s Symphony No. 29, the Violin Concerto No. 3 (featuring violinist Nigel Armstrong) and the Walton Sonata For Strings. Royce Hall. UCLA Live. (310) 825-2101.
Ojai
– Jan. 21. (Sat.) Ron Eschete Trio. Seven string guitar master Eschete joins forces with Joe Bagg, B-3 organ and piano and Paul Kreibich, drums, to generate an irresistible example of the musical pleasures of the classic jazz organ/guitar/drums trio,. Ojai Jazz Concerts at the Ojai Valley Community Church. (805) 746-0936.
San Francisco
– Jan. 20 – 21. (Fri. & Sat.) Bobby Hutcherson Birthday. The veteran vibist shares the excitement of his 71st birthday (On Jan. 27) via a musical celebration featuring a musical encounter with the impressive young vibes player, Warren Wolf. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
Santa Cruz
– Jan. 19. (Thurs.) Mads Tolling. A Grammy-winning, former member of the Turtle Island String Quartet, Danish-American violinist Tolling offers a musical tribute to electric violin path-finder, Jean-Luc Ponty. Kuumbwa Jazz. (831) 427-2227.
San Diego
– Jan. 18. (Wed.) The Family Stone. Some of the most electrically exciting music of the ‘70s is still vibrantly alive in the hands of original members of Sly’s Family Stone: Cynthia Robinson, Jerry Martini and Greg Errico. Anthology. (619) 595-0300.
Seattle
– Jan 19 – 22. (Thurs. – Sun.) Jeff Lorber Fusion. When keyboardist Lorber first came up with the concept of jazz fusion in the late ‘70s, it was invigorated by deep jazz roots. As it is today, especially with a line up like this, with Randy Brecker, trumpet, Eric Marienthal, alto saxophone, Lionel Cordew, drums and Ron Jenkins, bass. Jazz Alley. (206) 441-9729.
Washington, D.C.
– Jan. 19. (Thurs.) Rudresh Mahanthappa. Rapidly establishing himself as one of the most critically praised new voices on the jazz alto saxophone, Mahanthappa is bringing new ideas and sounds to jazz. He’s featured here as one of four India-related jazz artists (with Sachel Vasandani, Sanjay Mishra and Rez Abbasi) appearing in the “Indian Jazz Series” from Monday through Thursday. Blues Alley. (202) 337-4141.
Boston
– Jan. 21. (Sat.) Pat Martino Organ Trio. Despite a pair of career absences that took him completely away from music for more than a decade (the first due to a brain aneurysm, the second when his parents became ill) Martino – one of jazz’s most virtuosic guitarists – has continued to build a solid musical career. Here he performs in classic organ trio setting. Regatta Bar. (617) 661-5000.
New York
– Jan. 17 – 22. (Tues. – Sun.) The Chris Potter Quartet. Sometimes taken for granted, for his ability to make other groups sound compelling, tenor saxophonist Potter is nonetheless a unique talent in his own right, one who deserves every jazz listener’s full attention. The Village Vanguard. (212) 255-4037.
– Jan 17 – 22. (Tues. – Sun.) Bill Frisell, Ron Carter and Joey Baron. It would be hard to imagine a more inventively adept, musical versatile trio of players than this stellar group. Expect something new and magical every night. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– Jan. 19 – 22. (Thurs. – Sun.) Lou Donaldson Quartet. At 85, alto saxophonist Donaldson is still going strong. The traces of his early allegiance to Charlie Parker are still present, but Donaldson long ago embraced them with his own stirring improvisational methods. The Jazz Standard. (212) 889-2005.
– Jan. 22. (Sun.) Carnatic Sundays. South Indian music is on full display in this intriguing evening of music. Karavika is a string and tabla ensemble exploring the intersection between Carnatic music and American blues, jazz and folk music. The Arun Ramumurthy Quartet features the virtuosic violin of Ramumurthy in a quartet with bass, jazz drum set and the two-headed South Indian mridangam drum. Cornelia St. Café. (212) 989-9319.
London
– Jan. 16 & 17. (Mon. & Tues.) Carmen Lundy. Singer/songwriter/actress Lundy is a jazz rara avis, a female vocalist who also writes her own songs. And who does so with imaginative skill. Add to that the fact that Lundy also finds new stories in the standard jazz songbook, bringing fascinating perspectives to material old and new. Ronnie Scott’s. 020 7439 0747.
Milan
– Jan 17. (Tues.) John Abercrombie and Mark Copland. Speak To Me, the first duo recording of guitarist Abercrombie and pianist Copland, released late 2011, was a classic display of subtle, thoughtfully conceived jazz interplay at its most mesmerizing. The Blue Note Milano. 02.69.01.68.88.
Tokyo
– Jan. 20 – 28. (Fri. – Sat.) An Evening With Pat Metheny. With frequent musical associate bassist Larry Grenadier on hand, inventive Metheny will no doubt offer the full range of sounds and music – hopefully including his 42 string Pikasso guitar – he’s been exploring lately in his constant creative adventuring. The Blue Note Tokyo. 03.5485.0088.
Ron Eschete photo by Bob Barry.
The International Review of Music 