By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Oct. 2. (Tues.) An Evening with Emmylou Harris and Her Red Dirt Boys. Grammy winning country music icon Harris possesses one of the pop/country world’s finest voices. Hopefully she’ll apply it to some of the memorable songs from her catalog of classics. CAP UCLA Royce Hall. (310) 825-2101.
– Oct. 2. (Tues.) Josh Nelson and Pat Senatore Duo. Rising young pianist Nelson and veteran bassist Senatore play together with some regularity. And the results are always a pleasure – fascinating musical encounters between players a generation or so apart who nonetheless find common creative ground. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Oct. 2. (Tues.) Mark Winkler and Cheryl Bentyne. “West Coast Cool.” They’re back. The Winkler/Bentyne Cool Jazz Road Show. They’ll once again celebrate, in high spirited song, their affection for cool jazz and its legendary practitioners. Click HERE to read a recent iRoM review of the dynamic duo. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Oct. 4. (Thurs.) Arnold McCuller. Singer McCuller’s resume includes long associations as a back up singer with the likes of James Taylor, Phil Collins, Bonnie Raitt and numerous others. But he’s also a superb up front vocalist as well. Here he is, making a rare appearance in the spotlight. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Oct. 4 – 7. (Thurs. – Sun.) Dudamel conducts Beethoven. Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes joins Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic beginning in a three-year presentation of Beethoven’s music for piano and orchestra, including the five numbered concertos and the Choral Fantasy. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– Oct. 4 – 7. (Thurs. – Sun.) Marcus Miller Band. A much admired string bassist – both acoustic and electric – a bass clarinetist, producer and arranger, Miller’s musical vision is always focusing on new ideas. Expect this time out to once again hear him open the door to illuminating jazz perspectives. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Oct. 5. (Fri.) Doc Severinson and the San Miguel Five. He may not be leading a big band anymore, but Severinson still has a firm grip on his trumpet. This time out, he’ll be urged on by the Latin jazz rhythms of the San Miguel Five. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.
– Oct. 5. (Fri.) Lee Hartley. The versatile Hartley ranges freely from jazz and pop to gospel. She’ll perform with the Eric Reed Trio featuring Les McCann. Looks like an evening with some interesting potential. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Oct. 5 & 6. (Fri. & Sat.) Akram Khan Company, “Vertical Road.” One of the most honored choreographers of his generation, Khan has assembled dancers from Asia, Europe and the Middle East to perform his “Vertical Road,” to a score by Nitin Sawhney. CAP UCLA Royce Hall. (310) 825-2101.
– Oct. 6. (Sat.) Chick Corea, Gary Burton and the Harlem String Quartet. Long time musical partners, pianist Corea and vibraphonist Burton have been seeking new musical adventures together since the early ‘70s. On this evening, their explorations will be aided by the Harlem String Quartet. Valley Performing Arts Center. (818) 677-3000.
– Oct. 6. (Sat.) Bob Mintzer, Alan Pasqua, Darej Oles and Ignacio Berroa. That list of names could represent a law firm. But no firm with these guys, who are among the Southland’s jazz elite, coming together to challenge themselves and each other. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Oct. 5 – 7. (Fri. – Sun.) The Angel City Jazz Festival 2012. The Angel City Festival once again presents a set of concerts underscoring the extent of the Southland’s extraordinary population of world class jazz artists. Add to that the participation of several major international artists and the ACJF is rapidly establishing its creds as a major musical event. On Friday, the Anthony Lucca Quintet and the Phil Ranelin Jazz Ensemble perform at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. On Saturday, Anthony Wilson, Larry Goldings and Jim Keltner are at REDCAT. On Sunday, Peter Erskine’s New Trio, the Mark Dresser Quintet, the Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet and the Archie Shepp Quartet perform at the Ford Amphitheatre. With more to come next week. The Angel City Jazz Festival.
– Oct. 7. (Sun.) Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. The LACO offers its own participation in Royce Hall’s opening week with a program of Ravel, Beethoven and more. In addition to the Ravel Piano Conerto in G Major and the Beethoven Violin Concerto in D Major, there will be West Coast premieres of new compositions by Andrew Norman and James Matheson . CAP UCLA Royce Hall. (310) 825-2101.
San Francisco
– Oct. 3 & 4. (Wed. & Thurs.) An Intimate Evening with Helen Reddy. The hit-making Australian singing star returns to performing after a decade hiatus. Eager listeners will hope to hear songs such as “I Am Woman,” “I Don’t Know How To Love Him,” “Delta Dawn” and more. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
Chicago
– Oct. 4 – 7). (Thurs. – Sun.) Benny Green Trio. Pianist Green is one of the mainstays in the effort to find new jazz territory without abandoning the jazz homeland. Jazz Showcase. (312) 360-0234.
New York
– Oct. 2 – 6. (Tues. – Sat.) Jim Hall Quartet. Hall has been described as “the reigning master of the jazz guitar” by the Wall St. Journal. And while there are a lot of things I’d disagree with the Journal about, this isn’t one of them. The ever-fascinating Hall will be in the company of alto saxophonist Greg Osby, bassist Steve Laspina and drummer Joey Baron. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– Oct. 2 – 7. (Tues. – Sun.) John Scofield Trio. Guitarist Scofield is always searching for new musical environments. And he’s found a winner this time, in the stellar team of bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Bill Stewart. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– Oct. 5 & 6. (Sat. & Sun.) Brad Mehldau: Solo. A solo performance by Mehldau is always a compelling musical experience, ranging across the full extent of his classically-trained, jazz-invested skills. The Allen Room in Jazz at Lincoln Center. (212) 258-9800.
London
– Oct. 4 – 6. (Thurs. – Sat.) Hiromi: The Trio Project. Hiromi’s virtuosic piano playing combines with her imaginative musical vision to suggest a new view of the classic jazz piano trio. She performs with bassist Steve Smith and drummer Anthony Jackson. Ronnie Scott’s. 20 7439 0747.
Paris
– Oct. 3. (Wed.) Randy Weston’s African Rhythms Trio. Pianist/composer Weston has written a few jazz classics – “Hi-Fly” and “Little Niles” among them. And he’s equally dedicated to the African music at the roots of jazz, exploring them in performances of ensembles such as his African Rhythms Trio. New Morning. 01 45 23 51 41.
Berlin
– Oct. 4. (Thurs.) The Al Foster Quartet. Drummer Foster has been a high visibility presence in the bands of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock and Joe Henderson. But he’s also been the effective leader of his own groups. This one includes Wayne Escoffery, saxophones, Adam Birnbaum, piano, Doug Weiss, bass. A-Trane. 030/313 25 50.
Milan
– Oct. 4 & 5. (Thurs. & Fri.) Scott Henderson, Dennis Chambers and Jeff Berlin. Here’s high energy jazz rock of the most intense order. Henderson, Chambers and Berlin are all instrumental virtuosi in their own right. Together, they’re sheer excitement. Blue Note Milano 02.69016888.
Copenhagen
– Oc. 4 & 5. (Thurs. & Fri.) Gretchen Parlato Quartet. Always her own person, eager to find her own pathway in partnership with instrumentalists, singer Parlato is performing with a collective fully capable of sharing her creative explorations. With Taylor Eigsti, piano, Burmiss Travis, bass, Kendrick Scott, drums. Jazzhus Montmartre. (+45) 70 15 65.
Tokyo
– Oct. 6 & 7. (Sat. & Sun.) Composer, pianist, songwriter Michel Legrand has been having an impact on contemporary music for decades. This time out, he’s celebrating his 80 birthday. Blue Note Tokyo. 03.54850088.
The International Review of Music 