By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– June 5. (Tues.) “And Then She Wrote.” Peter Marshall, Carol Welsman, Calabria Foti. Five time Emmy Award-winning Marshall (Yes, he sings, too) is joined by the lovely singer/instrumentalists Welsman and Foti in an evening of great standards written by women. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– June 5. (Tues.) Corliss Dale and Lou Forestieri. Pianist/arranger Forestieri’s impressive resume reaches from Stanley Clarke to Mel Torme and beyond. He and his singing wife Dale have released a pair of impressive albums of standards; Fascinating Rhythms and Crazy Rhythm. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– June 6. (Wed.) The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses. The music from one of the most popular video games of all time is performed by a full orchestra. The program features music based on story lines from “Ocarina of Time,” “The Wind Waker,” “Twilight Princess” and “A Link to the Past.” The Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857.
– June 7. (Thurs.) Fabiana Passoni. Her sultry vocals have earned Passoni the title of Best Brazilian Singer Living in the U.S. from the Brazilian International Press. Despite the difficult interruptions of a three year battle with cancer, her musical journey has continued to discover new areas of creativity. She’ll be backed by a ten piece band featuring the stellar presence of, among others, pianist Bill Cantos and guitarist Kleber Jorge. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. Also at Yoshi’s San Francisco on Sun. (See below.)
– June 7 – 9. (Thurs. – Sat.) Freddy Cole Quartet. If the voice sounds familiar, don’t be surprised. He’s Nat Cole’s younger brother, and he’s fashioned those memorable vocal timbres into an appealing style all his own. At a time when engaging male jazz singers are in short supply, don’t miss the chance to hear Cole in action. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– June 7 – 9. (Thurs. – Sat.) Peter Cetera. If the name doesn’t instantly ring a bell, think “Chicago.” And, no, not the city, the great rock group of the ‘70s that rode to fame on Cetera’s memorable vocals. Segerstrom Center for the Arts. (714) 556-2787.
– June 8. (Fri.) Primus. For nearly three decades Primus has been stretching the envelope in the style of Frank Zappa and Pink Floyd. Also on the bill, Fishbone, a high visibility presence in L.A.’s alternative rock scene since the ‘80s. Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857.
– June 8. (Fri.) Ernie Watts. Grammy-winner Watts’ versatile saxophone playing has been heard over the past four decades on more than 500 recordings in the company of artists reaching from Cannonball Adderley to Frank Zappa. And he’s still going strong. LACMA. (323) 857-6000.
– June 8. (Fri.) Big Phat Band. Gordon Goodwin’s collection of L.A. all-stars perform selections from his always-swinging book of originals and re-invented standards. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– June 10. (Sun.) Los Angeles Master Chorale. Tribute to Gorecki. The superb voices of the LAMC close the season with a trio of sonically mesmerizing works by the great Polish composer, as well as the Brahms motet for chorus, Schaffe in mir, Gott, ein rein Herz. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– June 10. (Sun.) Chickenfoot. All-star rock group Chickenfoot – Joe Satriani, Kenny Aronoff, Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar – arrive in support of their latest album, Chickenfoot III. Also on the bill – Black Stone Cherry. Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857.
San Francisco
– June 8 – 10. (Fri. – Sun.) Rick Braun. Trumpeter/vocalist Braun, following in the Chet Baker footsteps, combining his warm and amiable vocals with an appealingly melodic trumpet style. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
June 10. (Sun.) Fabiana Passoni. Brazilian singer Passoni makes her second California appearance this week. See above L.A. entry for more details. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
Washington D.C.
– June 8 – 10. (Fri. – Sun.) Kenny Garrett. Cutting edge alto saxophonist Garrett’s early roots trace to a five year stint with Miles Davis’ electric bands. But he’s traveled his own path since then, fully apparent in his latest album, Seeds From the Underground. Blues Alley. http://bluesalley.com/events.cfm (202) 337-4141.
New York
– June 5 – 9. (Tues. – Sat.) Karrin Allyson. Twenty years after her debut album, I Didn’t Know About You, was released, Allyson continues to set standards for what great jazz singing can and should be – via her superb musicality, rich sense of swing and her utterly engrossing storytelling abilities. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– June 5 – 10. (Tues. – Sun.) Renee Rosnes Quartet. Pianist Rosnes, always a jazz adventurer, checks out fascinating territories with the world class companionship of Steve Nelson, vibes, Peter Washington, bass and Lewis Nash, drums. Village Vanguard. (212) 929-4589.
– June 5 – 10. (Tues. – Sun.) Dudka Da Fonseca & Helio Alves. “Samba, Jazz and the Music of Jobim” An evening revealing, in delightfully rhythmic fashion, the creatively compelling links between jazz and the music of Brazil. With Anat Cohen, Claudio Roditi, George Mraz and Maucha Adnet. Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. (212) 258-9800.
– June 7 – 10. (Thurs. – Sun.) Charles McPherson. Alto saxophonist McPherson has been convincingly carrying the torch for bebop since he performed on the soundtrack of Clint Eastwood’s 1988 Charlie Parker film, Bird. Jazz Standard. (212) 576-2232.
London
– June 6 (Wed.) Danilo Perez. Panama-born pianist/composer/educator Perez’s career arc reaches from intimate musical relationships with Dizzy Gillespie to Wayne Shorter. With a lot of stops in between, thoroughly establishing himself as one of the influential jazz voices of his generation. Ronnie Scott’s. 020 7439 0747.
The International Review of Music 