By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– May 2. (Wed.) Arturo Sandoval Big Band. He plays the trumpet, the piano and the drums, and he sings, too. The musical multi-hyphenate from Cuba showcases his dynamic versatility in the second installment of the new jazz series at The Federal. (818) 980-2655,
– May 2. (Wed.) Llew Matthews and Pat Senatore. Pianist Matthews is a much desired singers’ accompanist and a valued first call sideman. But he’s also an engaging solo artist as well. Here he performs with the equally sensitive backing of bassist Senatore. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– May 3. (Thurs.) Gerald Wilson Orchestra. Watching the marvelously energetic, 93 year old Wilson lead a band of L.A. all-stars through a program of his compositions and arrangements is one of the truly memorable jazz experiences. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– May 3 – 6. (Thurs. – Sun.) The Return of Simon Rattle. Rattle conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in Disney Hall for the first time. The Central European-oriented program includes works by Ligeti, Wagner, Mahler and Bruckner. Rattle’s wife, mezzo soprano Magdalena Kozena sings Mahler’s Ruckert-Lieder. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– May 4. (Fri.) Mark Winkler and Mary Foster Conklin. When a pair of beyond-definition singers – who move easily from cabaret to jazz standards — get together for a vocal jam session, expect an unusually enlightening evening of song. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– May 4 & 5. (Fri. & Sat.) Strunz and Farah. Performing together since 1980, the duo guitar team of Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah create incomparable musical banquets overflowing with sounds and rhythms reaching from jazz and flamenco to the Middle East, spiced with their own musically rich imaginations. Click HERE to read iRoM’s most recent review of Strunz & Farah. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– May 5. (Sat.) Perla Batalla. Blessed with a rich-toned voice, fascinated with a broad range of music, Batalla tells an engaging story with everything she sings. Broad Stage. (310) 424-3200.
– May 5. (Sat.) Reflections on Frank Sinatra. A band of Southland all-stars — Ralph Penland, Jim Hughart, Ron Anthony, Llew Matthews and Bill Kerr – team up with singers Melodye and Luca Ellis, and comedian Tony Russell in a tribute to the Chairman of the Board. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– May 6. (Sun.) Bonnie Bowden and Sony Holland. Vitello’s. It’s a day filled with some prime jazz vocalizing. In the afternoon, Bowden displays her airy timbre, soaring range and convincing way with a song. In the evening, Holland adds her tender, gripping voice and subtle rhythmic swing. Sony Holland. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– May 6. (Sun.) Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. “Mozart and Me.” Another of the LACO’s delightful introduction to classical music for young people. The program features LACO musicians with the Pasadena Master Chorale, a talented ten year old pianist from the Colburn School and an actor garbed as Mozart himself. The Alex Theatre. 2 p.m. (213) 622-7001 Ext 1.
– May 6. (Sun.) Susan Egan. She starred on Broadway and has proven herself as a convincing cabaret artist. This time, Egan uses both those skills in an intimate presentation of some of Broadway’s greatest hits. The Carpenter Theatre. (562) 985-7000.
– May 6. (Sun.) REO Speedwagon, Styx and Ted Nugent. Three classic rock groups, Greek Theatre favorites, return for yet another episode in their long-running musical shows. Greek Theatre.
– May 6. (Sun.) The 2012 Playboy Jazz Festival First Community Concert. The Playboy Jazz Festival’s annual free concerts leading up the the Festival itself — which takes place on June 16 & 17 at the Hollywood Bowl – are some of the Southland’s greatest jazz bargains. And this year is no exception. Sunday’s program at the Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza, featuring a performance by Jose Rizo’s Mongorama, is a tribute to one of the great innovators of Latin jazz: Mongo Santamaria.
Mongorama offers a stunning revival of Mongo’s music, discovering vividly alive qualities still coursing through the legendary percussionist’s greatest hits. Also on the bill, the remarkably mature playing of the Beverly Hills High School Jazz Band, a collective of young players convincingly proving that the future of jazz is in fine hands., The First Playboy Free Community Concert at the Beverly Hills Civic Plaza. (310) 450-1173.
San Francisco
– May 5. (Sat.) Rosanne Cash. The daughter of Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash has thoroughly established herself as an artist whose skills embrace far more than country music. A writer and novelist, she invests her music with the far-reaching subtleties of her literary viewpoints. An SFJAZZ concert in the Herbst Theatre. (866) 920-5299.
Chicago
– May 3 – 6. (Thurs. – Sun.) Cyrus Chestnut Trio. Pianist Chestnut’s musical roots are deeply invested in the Rgospel music that invests his playing with a rich, creatively passionate intensity and a solid rhythmic drive. Jazz Showcase. (312) 360-0234.
New York
– May 2 – 5. (Wed. – Sat.) The Heath Brothers. Saxophonist Jimmy Heath and drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath are the surviving members of the musically gifted Heath family, still going strong after a century-plus experience and more than 900 recordings. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– May 2 – 6. (Wed. – Sun.) Randy Brecker and Pop. Versatile trumpeter Brecker, who’s played with the finest jazz and pop artist leads his now group “Pop,” featuring an all-star band performing the songs of Frank Zappa, Steely Dan, Bette Midler, Paul Simon, The Average White Band, Blood Sweat & Tears, and others, arranged and re-imagined by Kenny Werner. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– May 2 – 6. (Wed. – Sun.) The Julliard Jazz Orchestra with Frank Wess. Veteran saxophonist Wess is the headliner in a performance of the msic of Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. Conducted by James Burton III. Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. (212) 258-9595.
London
– May 3 – 5 (Thurs. – Sat.) Manu Dibango and Soul Makossa. Dibango is an iconic master of world music/funk/jazz crossover. He’ll lead the Soul Makossa gang in a stirring evening of everything from pop, electro rock, hip hop and beyond. Ronnie Scott’s. 020 7439 0747.
Berlin
– May 5. (Sat.) Judy Niemack. She’s a constantly captivating singer, bringing musicality, imagination and interpretive excellence to everything she touches. Which makes for a perfect musical marriage in this program devoted to the music of Miles Davis – “All Blues,” “Time After Time,” Boplicity,” “Round Midnight” and more. A-Trane. 030 / 313 25 50.
Tokyo
– May 3 – 5. (Thurs. – Sat.) Omara Portuondo and Chucho Valdes. A pair of legendary Cuban artists blend their dynamic abilities into an evening rich with traditional rhythms and soaring musical delights. Blue Note Tokyo. 02-5485-0088.
The International Review of Music 
I saw Luka Ellis, et al., at Vitello’s on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Perhaps he was having an off night, but he needs to know that he did not connect at all with the audience, nor did he swing in the least. This handsome young man, with a wonderful instrument, needs to understand that his job is to ENTERTAIN an audience, particular jazz listeners, who so critically love the medium.
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