By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Jan. 9. (Wed.) Ariana Savalas and Corky Hale. Yes, the name “Savalas” is familiar; Ariana is the daughter of the veteran actor Telly Savalas. But as a singer, she has an appealing style that is uniquely her own. She’s backed by the musically supportive accompaniment of pianist/harpist Hale. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Jan. 9. (Wed.) Betty Bryant. Singer/pianist Betty Bryant gives another seminar in jazz piano and vocals, as entertaining and swinging as she is musically inventive. H.O.M.E. Beverly Hills. (310) 271-4663.
– Jan. 9. (Wed.) John Beasley. Pianist/composer Beasely begins a January residency at the Blue Whale, starting with a duo with the unique vocalist Dwight Trible. The Blue Whale. (213) 620-0908.
– Jan. 10. (Thurs.) Gerald Wilson Orchestra. At 94, arranger/composer/bandleader Wilson still brings his Orchestra vividly to life everytime he gives the down beat on one of his memorable arrangements. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Jan. 10. (Thurs.) Amadeus Leopold. The brilliant young Korean violinist Leopold – whose original name was Hahn-Bin – applies his technical prowess and emotional imagination to a uniquely imaginative view of the classical repertoire. CAP UCLA. Royce Hall.
– Jan. 10. (Thurs.) Ibrahim Maalouf Quintet. (Concert cancelled due to visa problems.) Lebanese trumpeter Maalouf effectively blends Arabic traditional sounds and rhythms with contemporary jazz funk and roots rock. Theatre Raymond Kabbaz. A Jazz Bakery Movable Feast. (310) 271-9039.
– Jan. 11. (Fri.) Sinne Eeg. Highly praised Danish singer Eeg performs with the stellar backing of Larry Koonse, Peter Erskine, Darek Oles and Roger Neumann. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Jan. 11. (Fri.) Los Lobos. The multiple Grammy-winning band from East L.A. continues to continue to find linkages between Chicano rock, Tex-Mex, r&b and traditional Hispanic styles. The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.
– Jan. 11 – 13. (Fri. – Sun.) Lainie Kazan. Actress/singer Kazan’s checkered career reaches from understudying Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl to dozens of high visibility film roles. But she’s also a uniquely gifted singer with a lush sound and a gift for richly emotional interpretations of the book of standards. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– Jan. 12 & 13. (Sat. & Sun.) Steve Ross. Puttin’ on the Ritz. “The Music of Fred Astaire. Singer Ross presents a cabaret show to remember, with some of the greatest songs from film musicals. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Jan. 13. (Sun.) Curtis Stigers & His Band. Saxophonist/singer Stigers has spent most of his career emphasizing his vocal skills, producing some memorable, jazz-tinged, charting songs since the release of his self-titled, platinum debut recording in 1991. Kirk Douglas Theatre. A Jazz Bakery Movable Feast. (310) 271-9039.
– Jan. 13. (Sun.) Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour. The MJF prides itself on the iconic line up of performers for the annual September Festival programs. And here’s an equally iconic group of artists – Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Benny Green, Lewis Nash, Chris Potter and Ambrose Akinmusire – proudly carrying the MJF banner in the off season. Segerstrom Center for the Arts. (714) 556-2787. (The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour also performs at the Valley Performing Arts Center on Jan. 23.
San Francisco
– Jan. 9. (Wed.) Wesla Whitfield with the Mike Greensil Trio. Whitfield has been offering her view of the Great American Songbook for more than three decades, most often with the backing of her husband, pianist Greensil. Together they provide an irresistible evening of memorable music.Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
New York
– Jan. 10. (Thurs.) Janis Ian. Singer/songwriter Ian made her breakthrough with “Society’s Child” in the mid-‘60s, followed by her Grammy Award-winning “At Seventeen” in the mid-‘70s. At 81, she’s still going strong. City Winery. (212) 608-0555.
– Jan. 11 & 12. (Fri. & Sat.) The 2013 NYC Winter Jazzfest. Six venues around Greenwich Village feature performers such as James Carter, Monty Alexander, Claudia Acuna, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Rez Abbasi and numerous others, young and mature. The Winter Jazzfest.
– Jan. 11 – 14. (Fri. – Mon.) “And Then She Wrote.” With Peter Marshall, Carol Welsman and Denise Donatelli. Emmy Award-winner singer/actor Marshall has created an entertaining overview of the many memorable songs in the Great American Songbook written by women. And he couldn’t have chosen a better pair of singers to join him in a delightful evening of music, dance and humor than Juno Award nominee Welsman and Grammy nominee Donatelli. Click HERE to read an iRoM review of the Los Angeles performance of “And Then She Wrote.” The Metropolitan Room. (212) 206-0440.
– Jan. 12 & 13. (Sat. & Sun.) Ramsey Lewis and John Pizzarelli. Straighten Up and Fly Right: A Tribute to Nat “King” Cole. What a great combination: the spirited piano work of Lewis, the lively singing and guitar of Pizzarelli, and the great book of songs associated with Nat Cole. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
Washington D.C.
– Jan. 8. (Tues.) Grace Kelly. Korean/American alto saxophonist and singer Kelly, who just turned 20 in 2012, has firmly established herself as one of the gifted jazz artists of her generation. Blues Alley. (202) 337-4141.
London
– Jan. 9 & 10. (Wed, & Thurs.) Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart. Described in the ‘90s by the New York Times as the “best organ trio of the last decade,” the Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart combination continues to get better and better. Ronnie Scott’s. +44 (0)20 7439 0747.
Copenhagen
– Jan. 10 & 11. (Thurs. & Fri.) “A Tribute to Anita O’Day.” Signe Juhl and the Nikolaj Bentzon 3. Singer Juhl, backed by pianist Bentzon’s prime trio, celebrates the lively musical history of Anita O’Day. Jazzhus Montmartre. (+45) 70 263 267.
Milan
– Jan. 11 & 12. (Fri. & Sat.) Tania Maria. Grammy-nominated Brazilian singer/pianist and composer has been described as Brazil’s finest native jazz artist. At 64, she continues to produce memorable recordings and live performances. The Blue Note Milano. 02.6901 6888.
The International Review of Music 