By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Jan. 25. (Wed.) The Jazz and Blues Review. Featuring Courtney Lemmon, Gina Saputo and Dianne Wright. Backed by the George Kahn Quintet. They’ve been called “a journey through blues and jazz, from New York to Los Angeles, from the Andrews Sisters to the Pointer Sisters at the intersection of Jump St. and Boogaloo Ave.” Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Jan. 25. (Wed.) The London Handel Players. The English ensemble makes its West Coast debut performing the music of Handel (of course), J.S. Bach and C.P.E. Bach in one of the Southland’s grand locations. Chamber Music in Historic Sites. The Grand Salon at the Ebell of Los Angeles. (213) 477-2929.
– Jan. 25 – 29. (Wed. – Sun.) Roy Hargrove Quintet. The versatile, pocket rocket trumpeter gets into a straight ahead grove with his dynamic quintet. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Jan. 26. (Thurs.) Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. “Baroque Conversations 1” The first of the LACO’s performances of Baroque music – mostly Bach in this case – with music introduced from the stage by the artists, and open questioning from the audience to conclude the evening. Oboist Alan Vogel leads the 14 piece ensemble of singers and instrumentalists. Zipper Concert Hall. (213) 622-7001 ext. 1.
– Jan. 26. (Thurs.) Frank Potenza Quartet. Guitarist Potenza has assembled an intriguing international ensemble, with the versatile Doug Webb, saxophones, ever-swinging Paul Kreibich, drums and – from New Caledonia – Michel Benebig, Hammond organ and Shem Benebig, vocals. Brasserie Jazz Lounge, Crowne Plaza Hotel. (310) 258-1333.
– Jan. 27. (Fri.) Lucinda Williams and Blake Mills. Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Williams – named “America’s best songwriter” in 2002 – shares the stage, in solo and duo sets, with young guitarist Mills. UCLA Live. Royce Hall. (310) 825-2101.
– Jan. 27. (Fri.) Chuck Manning . Tenor saxophonist Manning’s versatility is always on display. “No matter what the context, his mix of smarts and heart will get two you,” wrote Brick Wahl in the L.A. Weekly. He’s backed by Theo Saunders, piano, Pat Senatore, bass and Jimmy Branley, drums. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Jan. 28. (Sat.) Simplexity. What is Simplexity? An assemblage of all-star, first-call jazz players, led by bassist John von Seggern, coming together in a project that blends electronic ambient sounds and textures, contemporary dance beats and the soul of jazz improvisation. Should be an evening to remember. Blue Whale. (213) 620-0908.
– Jan. 28. (Sat.) They Might Be Giants. The pioneering alternative rock band celebrates its 30th anniversary with a pair of Royce Hall appearances. The family show, at 3 p.m. will draw on award-winning kids’ albums. The evening program, at 8 p.m. will be highlighted by their latest album, Join Us. Folk singer/songwriter Jonathan Coulter opens the show. UCLA Live. Royce Hall. (310) 825-2101.
San Francisco
– Jan. 26. (Thurs.) Wesla Whitfield with the Mike Greensil Trio. Cabaret singer Whitfield and her husband, pianist Greensil have been offering definitive interpretations of classics from the Great American Songbook for decades. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
– Jan. 26 – 28. (Thurs. – Sat.) The Stanley Clarke Band. Always adventuring into new combinations, the current Clarke band includes regulars Ruslan Sirota, keyboards and Ronald Bruner, drums, with the added contributions of the eclectic young violinist, Zach Brock. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
New York
– Jan. 24 – 28. (Tues. – Sat.) The Tierney Sutton Band. There’s nothing quite like the combination of Sutton’s airy vocals with the ever-compatible musical embrace of the players – pianist Christian Jacob, bassists Kevin Axt and Trey Henry and drummer Ray Brinker — she has been performing with for two decades. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– Jan. 26 – 29. (Thurs. – Sun.) Billy Childs Quartet. Pianist/composer Childs takes a break from his jazz chamber ensemble to groove hard with Steve Wilson, alto saxophone, Hans Glawischnig, bass and Eric Harland, drums. Jazz Standard. (212) 576-2232.
– Jan. 27. (Fri.) Manhattan School of Music Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by Justin DiCioccio. A celebration the Stan Kenton Centennial, featuring the music of Kenton’s Innovations Orchestra. Among the works that will be featured are Bill Russo’s “Improvisation,” Pete Rugolo’s “Interlude,” Robert Graettinger’s “City of Glass” and Stan Kenton’s “Artistry in Rhythm.” RoBorden Auditorium at the Manhattan School of Music. (917) 493-4428.
Boston
– Jan. 27 – 28. (Fri. & Sat.) The Ron Carter Trio. Every version of the Carter Trio is classy, and none more so than this high flying combination of bassist Carter, Russell Malone, guitar and Donald Vega, piano. Regatta Bar.
Paris
– Jan. 28. (Sat.) Renaud Garcia-Fons. The brilliant bassist has created one of the unique sounds and styles in contemporary music, playing his five stringed acoustic instrument in works that blend, jazz, flamenco, folk music, classical and “new musette.” New Morning. 01 45 23 51 41.
Copenhagen
– Jan. 26 & 27. (Thurs. & Fri.) Jacky Terrasson. French pianist Terrasson leads a stellar European jazz piano trio, with Thomas Fonnesbaek, bass and Alex Riel, drums. Jazzhus Montmartre. (+45) 70 15 65 65.
Jazz & Blues Review photo by Mara Zaslove.
Ron Carter photo by Tony Gieske.
The International Review of Music 