By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– June 20. (Wed.) Jane Harvey. The remarkable Jane Harvey’s career dates back to gigs with Benny Goodman in the ‘40s. Now well into her ‘80s she continues to draw critical raves for her performances. Click HERE to read a recent iRoM review of a Harvey appearance. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– June 21 – 11. (Thurs. & Fri.) Joey DeFrancesco. The master of the B-3 has been placing at the top of the critics’ polls in Down Beat and with the Jazz Journalists association for years. And with good reason. He’ll be performing with Steve Cotter, bass and Ramon Banda, drums. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– June 21 – 23. (Thurs. – Sat.) Melissa Manchester. Grammy-winning singer-songwriter scored her biggest, chart-topping hits in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. And her dramatic renderings of tunes such as “Midnight Blue” and “Don’t Cry Out Loud” are still classics. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– June 21. (Thurs.) Chuck Manning. Tenor saxophonist Manning’s resume includes gigs with everyone from Anthony Wilson and Branford Marsalis to Cedar Walton and Charlie Haden. This time out, he takes on the most challenging setting for a horn player – a trio gig with bass, drums and no harmony instrument. He’ll be backed by Pat Senatore, bass and Jimmy Branley, drums. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– June 22. (Fri.) Opening Night of the 2012 Season at the Hollywood Bowl. Julie Andrews hosts an evening featuring Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame inductees Reba McEntire and Chaka Khan, with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra conducted by Thomas Wilkins. Additional guests and presenters are yet to be announced.. (323) 850-2000. Hollywood Bowl.
– June 22. (Fri.) Mary Stallings. An underappreciated jazz vocalist for years, Stallings has been producing first rate recordings since a 1961 duet album with Cal Tjader. Still in rare form, she’ll no doubt sing some selections from her latest release Don’t Look Back. A Jazz Bakery Movable Feast at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. . (310) 271-9039.
– June 23. (Sat.) Jazz Journalist Association Awards Party. In celebration of the 2012 JJA Awards, a Jazz Hero Award will be granted to Catalina Popescu, proprietor of L.A.’s pre-eminent jazz club, Catalina Bar & Grill. The Blue Whale, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The Ferenc Nemeth Trio perform at 9 p.m. The Blue Whale. (213) 620-0908.
– June 24. (Sun.) Katia Moraes. There’s no one quite like this Brazilian bundle of musical dynamite. Bringing irresistible vitality to every song she sings, Katia celebrates her birthday with her original quartet, the lively Sambaguru, featuring Bill Brindle, keyboards, Hussain Jiffry, bass and Tony Shoren, drums. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– June 24. (Sun.) Sing! Sing! Sing! “Giving Our Regards to Broadway.” It’s just after the Tony Awards, and what better time to join the Southland’s engaging singalong in a tour through some of the most memorable Broadway songs as well as a sampling of the latest numbers on the Great White Way. At Keyboard Concepts in West L.A. Sing! Sing! Sing! (310) 990-2405.
– June 24. (Sun.) Glen Campbell. The Goodbye Tour. Veteran singer/guitarist Campbell has produced 12 gold albums and 4 platinum albums while receiving a string of Grammy awards (including four in 1967). A year ago, he announced he had been diagnosed with Altzheimer’s disease. The Goodbye Tour, which he says will be his last, features the group Dawes, with Jackson Browne, Kris Kristofferson, Lucinda Williams and others. (323) 850-2000. Hollywood Bowl.
San Francisco
– June 22. (Fri.) Ceu. Grammy-nominated Brazilian singer/songwriter Ceu has carved a unique musical pathway for herself, combining Brazilian roots rhythms with everything from soul and funk to afrobeat and electronica. An SFJAZZ event at the Herbst Theatre. (866) 920-5299.
Seattle
– June 21 – 24. (Thur. – Sun.) Spectrum Road. After producing a spectacular climax to the Playboy Jazz Festival on Sunday night, Spectrum Road takes off for Seattle with their explosive reminders of drummer Tony Williams’ Lifetime group. The band consists of bassist Jack Bruce, guitarist Vernon Reid, keyboardist John Medeski and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana. Click HERE to read iRoM’s review of the Playboy Jazz Festival and Spectrum’s Festival performance. Jazz Alley. (206) 441-9729.
New York
– June 20 – 24. (Wed. – Sun.) The Django Reinhardt New York Festival. Featuring rising gypsy jazz star Samson Schmitt, guitarist son of the iconic Dorado Schmitt, leading a collective of European jazz artists. They’ll be joined by a trio of the finest female jazz artists: Anat Cohen on Wed., Grace Kelly on Thurs. & Fri., and Cyrille Aimee on Sat. and Sunday. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– June 20 – 24. (Wed. – Sun.) Barbara Carroll. Jazz pianist/singer Carroll is still going strong at 87, her upbeat style recalling her high visibility in New York’s jazz clubs of the ‘50s and ‘60s. She performs with the stellar backing of Ken Peplowski, Jay Leonhart and Neal Smith. Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. (212) 258-9595.
– June 21 – 24. (Thurs. – Sun.) McCoy Tyner and the Charles Tolliver Big band get together to recreate John Coltrane’s vital 1961 album, Africa Brass, more than fifty years after its original release. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
London
– June 21 – 23. (Thurs. – Sat.) Jean Carne and Doug Carn. Four decades ago, jazz and soul singer Carne and her then-husband, pianist/composer, Doug Carn, produced a series of fusion jazz and soul albums strongly influenced by John Coltrane. After decades in which their lives and music took different paths, they’re back with a Reunion Performance of their ‘70s classics. Ronnie Scott’s. 020 7439 0747.
Tokyo
– June 20 – 23 (Wed. – Sat.) Bob Mintzer Big Band. A vital member of the Yellowjackets, saxophonist/composer Mintzer is also an innovative big band arranger, producing a book full of gripping arrangements for his collection of fine players. Blue Note Tokyo. 03.5485.0088.
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Jane Harvey photo by Tony Gieske. Katia Moraes photo by Caesar Lima.
The International Review of Music 