By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Nov. 23. (Fri.) Chuck Manning-John Daversa Quartet. Saxophonist Manning and trumpeter Daversa get together for an evening of adventurous improvisation. They’re backed by Pat Senatore, bass and Dick Weller, drums. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Nov. 23. (Fri.) Deana Martin. Yes, she’s Dean Martin’s daughter. But Deana has transformed her musical inheritance into an appealing style of her own. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Nov. 24. (Sat.) Ahmad Jamal. The great jazz pianist, admired by Miles Davis, as well as his legions of fans, makes a rare Southland appearance. Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. (714) 556-2787.
– Nov. 25. (Sun.) Harry Allen and Larry Goldings. Tenor saxophonist Allen combines a mainstream style with a contemporary imagination. Keyboardist Goldings provides ideal backing, along with Chuck Berghofer, bass and Roy McCurdy, drums. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Nov. 25. (Sun.) “A Tribute To Dinah Washington: Queen of the Blues. Barbara Morrison with the BMPAC All Stars Band conducted by John Stephens. Who better than the versatile blues mistress Barbara Morrison to honor the Dinah Washington musical memory. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
Chicago
– Nov. 21 – 25. (Wed. – Sun.) Roberta Gambarini. Italian native Gambarini has thoroughly established herself as one of the world’s finest jazz singers, regardless of origin. Hear her whenever you can. Jazz Showcase. http://www.jazzshowcase.com (312) 360-0234.
New York
– Nov. 21 – 24. (Wed. – Sat.) Cyrille Aimee. With a French gypsy background and Dominican roots, Aimee – a runner up in the Thelonious Monk vocal competition – enhances her jazz skills with world music seasoning. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– Nov. 21 – 25. (Wed. – Sun.) Jason Moran and the Bandwagon. Currently one of the most critically praised jazz pianist/composers, Moran performs in a classic trio setting with Taurus Mateen, bass, and Nasheet Waits, drums. Village Vanguard. (212) 255-4037.
– Nov. 20 – 25. (Tues. – Sun.) The Maria Schneider Orchestra. Schneider’s far-reaching musical imagination has brought compelling new timbres and adventurous performances to the classic big band setting. Jazz Standard. (212) 889-2005.
Copenhagen
– Nov. 22 – 24. (Thurs. – Sat.) Sinne Eeg. One of Denmark’s – and Europe’s – most admired jazz singers, Eeg celebrates the release of her new album, The Beauty of Sadness, recorded with a Danish national orchestra and her own quartet. Jazzhus Montmartre. (+45) 70 15 65 65.
Paris
– Nov. 23. (Fri.) The New Ravi Coltrane Quartet. John Coltrane’s gifted, saxophone playing son Ravi is keeping the creative legacy of his father alive and well. Paris New Morning. 01 45 23 51 41.
Milan
– Nov. 21 – 24. (Wed. – Sat.) Al Di Meola. Master guitarist Di Meola has an impressive resume, reaching from his electric jazz fusion with Return to Forever to his superb solo acoustic outings. Blue Note Milano. 02.69016888.
Tokyo
Nov. 22 – 25. (Thurs. – Sun.) and Nov. 27 & 28. (Tues. & Wed.) Natalie Cole. Nat ‘King” Cole’s daughter is a major star in her own right, singing with the authentic jazz inflections characteristic of her father’s finest work. Blue Note Tokyo. 03.5485.0088.
The International Review of Music 