By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– June 27. (Wed.) A Celebration of Miles Davis. Herbie Hancock hosts a trio of Davis tributes: Miles’ Electric Band, Marcus Miller leading “Tutu Revisited” and Jimmy Cobb leading his “So What” band in “Kind of Blue.” Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000.
– June 28. (Thurs.) Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Boz Skaggs. The Dukes of September. Three rock greats get together once again to touch musical high points reaching from the O’Jays to the Doobie Brothers and the Steely Dan catalog. To read an earlier iRoM review of the Dukes of December click HERE. Gibson Amphitheatre. (818) 622-4440.
– June 28. (Thurs.) Judy Wexler. The versatile Ms. Wexler’s admirable jazz vocal skills embrace everything from standards and jazz classics to singer/songwriter tunes from the ‘70s – all done with style and imagination. LACMA. .
– June 28. (Thurs.) Ray Brown, Jr. The adopted son of the great bassist Ray Brown and the equally inimitable Ella Fitzgerald, Brown was raised in a high level musical environment. No wonder that he became first a drummer, then a singer, adding contemporary qualities to the musical sounds and substance of his youth. Crown Plaza. (310) 258-1333.
– June 29. (Thurs.) Sascha’s Bloc Band. Led by musician/surgeon Alex Gershman (Sascha), the Bloc Band includes players from Ukraine, Russia, the U.S. and beyond, performing an eclectic blend of European roots music, gypsy jazz, flamenco and much more. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– June 29. (Fri.) Bob Sheppard. Saxophonist Sheppard, one of the Southland’s prime jazz artists still doesn’t receive the critical attention his far-reaching skills deserve. He’s backed by Theo Saunders, piano, Pat Senatore, bass and Ferenc Nemeth, drums. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– June 29. (Fri.) The Arte Café opens in the Town Center Plaza in Cerritos with another great Los Angeles saxophonist, Rickey Woodard, leading the way. He’ll perform with pianist Jon Mayer, bassist Luther Hughes and drummer Roy McCurdy. For information, call In-House Music at (310)216-5861.
– June 29. (Fri.) Summerland. The first ever Summerland tour features an impressive assembly of hit-making bands: Everclear, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Lit and Marcy Playground. Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857.
– June 30. (Sat.) Dave Frishberg. The Stephen Sondheim of jazz songwriters brings his memorable catalog (“Peel Me A Grape,” “Do You Miss New York?” “My Attorney Bernie,” etc., his engaging vocal style and his crisply swinging piano to town for a too-rare L.A. appearance. A Jazz Bakery Movable Feast at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. . (310) 271-9039.
– June 30. (Sat.) B52s and Squeeze. With over 20 million albums sold in their 35 year career, it’s no surprise that the B52s are called the “World’s greatest party band.” Expect to feel the pulse when the hits, old and new, begin. The popular U.K. band Squeeze opens the performance. Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857.
– July 1. (Sun.) Chuchito Valdes Latin Jazz Band. Son of the great Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdes, Chuchito has followed in his father’s musical foosteps, finding fascinating new territories in the world of Latin jazz. Featured artist with Valdes will be the versatile, multi-saxophone player Laksar Reese. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– July 1. (Sun.) Ben Harper, Fitz and the Tantrums, Vieux Farka Toure. The World Festival 2012 series begins with a trio of unique artists demonstrating the linkages between the blues, soul music and dynamic African rhythms. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000.
San Francisco
– June 28. (Thurs.) Paul McCandless and Antonio Calogero. A keystone member of the band Oregon and the Paul Winter Consort, McCandless’ wind instrument versatility is one of the unique sounds of the jazz and world music blend. He appears with the talented young Italian guitarist, Calogero. Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse. (510) 644-2020 Ext. 20.
Seattle
– June 28 – July 1. (Thurs. – Sun.) Diane Schuur. Singer Schuur’s long career has seen her perform effecttvely in several cross genre styles, from jazz to pop. More recently, she’s blended all those styles into a unique expressiveness of her own making. Jazz Alley. (206) 441-9729.
New York
– June 29. (Fri.) The Ben Monder Theo Bleckmann Duo. Grammy-nominated singer/composer Bleckmann and pianist Monder have spent nearly two decades shaping a vocal form that might best be described as “jazz art songs.” The results are extraordinary. Cornelia St. Café. (212) 989-9319.
– June 29 & 30. (Fri. & Sat.) Harry Allen Quartet. At a time when the influence of John Coltrane and/Sonny Rollins dominates the tenor saxophone world, Allen – a dedicated traditionalist – strives convincingly to keep the pre-bop styles of Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster and others vividly alive. Smalls.
– June 29 – July 1. (Fri. – Sun.) Charlie Watts: “The A, B, C and D of Boogie Woogie.” Watts, best known as the drummer with the Rolling Stones, yet always a stalwart fan of jazz, has just released the first album of his Boogie Woogie Band. They’ll celebrate the release with a live performance of some of the album’s selections. The band consists of Axel Zwingenberger, piano, Dave Green, bass and Ben Waters, piano and vocals. The Iridium. (212) 582-2121.
London
– June 27 – 29. (Wed. – Fri.) Curtis Stigers. Saxophonist/singer Stigers had all the look of a rare, break out jazz vocalist in the ’90s. His visibility has dimmed somewhat since then, despite his still attractive style. Give credit to listeners in the U.K. for continuing to recognize his appealing qualities. Ronnie Scott’s. 020 7439 0747.
Tokyo
– June 26 & 27. (Tues. & Wed.) Hilary Kole. The sound alone of Kole’s warm, embracing voice would almost be enough to make anything she does listenable. But she raises the bar much higher with a combination of attractive musicality and compelling story telling. Blue Note Tokyo. 03.5485.0088.
– June 28 – July 1. (Thurs. – Sun.) Sadao Watanabe. One of the first Japanese jazz artists to break through to international fame, saxophonist Watanabe, at 79, is still a master of the bebop genre. Blue Note Tokyo. 03.5485.0088.
The International Review of Music 