By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Feb. 6. (Wed.) Sally Kellerman. The inimitable Ms. Kellerman is back, this time with an evening of Valentine’s Day songs in a program titled, appropriately, “Love.” Don’t miss it. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Feb. 7 – 10. (Thurs. – Sun.) Robben Ford. Guitarist Ford, who moves easily across boundaries from blues to jazz and beyond, celebrates the imminent release of his new album, Bringing It Back Home. Catalina Bar & Grill. (223) 466-2210.
– Feb. 8. (Fri.) Bill Cunliffe Big Band. “Bach to the Future.” Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated pianist/composer/arranger Cunliffe leads his big band in his jazz imagining of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Later, starting at 9:30 p.m., pianist John Campbell will perform in a new Vitello’s weekly event — Piano Night in the downstairs dining room. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Feb. 8 & 9. (Fri. & Sat.) Rhythm of the Dance. Irish step dancing in all its colorful variations, delivered by an expert company of dancers. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (562) 916-8501.
– Feb, 9. (Sat.) Wayne Shorter Quartet with Esperanza Spalding and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Saxophonist/composer Shorter presents the world premiere of a work for Esperanza and the L.A. Phil, commissioned by the Philharmonic. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000. www.laphil.com
– Feb. 9. (Sat.) Rob Lockhart Quartet. Versatile saxophonist Lockhart, an A-list sideman, steps into the spotlight. He’s backed by pianist Josh Nelson, bassist Pat Senatore and drummer Mark Ferber. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Feb. 9 & 10. (Sat. & Sun.) The Russian National Ballet Theatre. One of Russia’s finest ballet companies presents a pair of classics. Sat.: Sleeping Beauty. Sun.: Cinderella. Valley Performing Arts Center. (818) 677-3000.
– Feb, 10. (Sun.) Ann Hampton Callaway. “The Streisand Songbook” Pianist/singer Callaway, who moves easily from jazz to pop to cabaret, offers a program of songs associated with Barbra Streisand. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
San Francisco
– Feb. 7 – 10 (Thurs. – Sun.). Dave Holland. Bassist Holland displays his far-reaching musical versatility in four unique programs. Thurs: Solo. Fri.: Duo with Kenny Barron. Sat.: Quintet. Sun.: Dave Holland Prism. SFJAZZ at Miner Auditorium. (866) 920-5299.
Washington D.C.
– Feb. 7 – 10 (Thurs. – Sun.) Joshua Redman. The always adventurous, Grammy-nominated saxophonist stretches the musical genre-boundaries in search of new and compelling improvisational ideas. Blues Alley. (202) 337-4141.
New York City
– Feb. 5 – 9. (Tues. – Sat.) Lou Donaldson Organ Quartet. He’s one of the still active iconic jazz saxophonist, performing this time in the grooving environment of an organ quartet. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– Feb. 5 – 10. (Tues. – Sun.) Ron Carter Quartet. Carter is not only a brilliant bassist and composer, he’s also a stimulating leader who knows how to assemble an imaginative jazz group. This time out, he’s with pianist Renee Rosnes, drummer Payton Crossley and percussionist Rolando Morales-Matos. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
Paris
– Feb. 9. (Sat.) Marianne Faithfull and Bill Frisell. It’s a fascinating combination. Pop star/actress Faithfull has been an iconic figure since the ‘60s. Versatile guitarist Frisell seems determined to try something new in every outing. The combination should be intriguing. New Morning. 01 45 23 51 41.
Copenhagen
– Feb. 7 & 8. (Thurs. & Fri.) Leszek Mozdzer/Lars Danielsson Duo. The names may be unfamiliar to English-speaking jazz fans, but pianist Mozdzer and bassist Danielsson play together with a spirit of jazz togetherness that reaches beyond the limits of languages. Jazzhus Montmartre. (+45) 70 263 267.
Milan
– Feb. 7 – 9. )Thurs. – Sat.) Billy Cobham. Veteran drummer Cobham has assembled a band of players from France and England into a collective of true international jazz. Blue Note Milano. 02.690 16888.
Tokyo
– Feb. 8 & 9. (Fri. & Sat.) Monty Alexander: The Harlem-Kingston Express. It’s a perfectly named band, with Jamaica-born pianist Alexander blending his impressive jazz playing with the traditional sounds and rhythms of his roots. Blue Note Tokyo. 03-5485-0088.
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Sally Kellerman, Wayne Shorter and Joshua Redman photos by Tony Gieske.
The International Review of Music 