By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Mar. 12. (Tues.) Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Marsalis and his JLCO players continue to bring life to the past, the present and the future of big band jazz. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
Mar. 12. (Tues.) Allison Adams Tucker. “Women in Jazz.” Jazz singer Tucker performs with a gifted, all-female ensemble – Kait Dunton, piano, Sherry Luchette, bass, Tina Raymond, drums and Lori Bell, flute. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Mar. 13. (Wed.) Lou Marini. New York-based veteran saxophonist Marini makes a rare L.A. appearance backed by a stellar array of players. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Mar. 14. – 16. (Thurs. – Sat.) Lynda Carter. She’ll probably always be known as Wonder Woman, but Carter is an appealing singer, as well, with a convincing interpretive style. Catalina Bar & Grill. (223) 466-2210.
– Mar. 15 – 17. (Fri. – Sun.) Ambrose Akinmusire. Trumpeter Akinmusire has been receiving critical accolades and winning polls lately. Here’s a great opportunity to hear him in action and make your own evalulation. Blue Whale. (213) 620-0908.
– Mar. 16. (Sat.) Johnny Mandel Big Band. Veteran arranger/composer Mandel showcases selections from his rich collection of classic arrangements and original works for big jazz band. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Mar. 17. (Sun.) An Evening with Kenny Rogers. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the music of Grammy-winning, hit-making veteran singer/actor/songwriter Rogers. Valley Performing Arts Center. (818) 677-8800.
– Mar. 17. (Sun.) Carol Robbins, Larry Koonse and Pat Senatore. An all-strings evening of music, featuring the fascinating timbres and jaunty swing of Robbins’ harp, Loonse’s guitar and Senatore’s bass. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
San Francisco
– Mar. 12 & 13. (Tues. & Wed.) “Miles Smiles” A super-group of Davis alumni, including trumpeter Wallace Roney, organist Joey DeFrancesco, guitarist Larry Coryell, bassist Darryl Jones and drummer Omar Hakim, recall the Miles era. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
Seattle
– Mar. 12 & 13. (Tues. & Wed.) Leo Kottke. Virtuosic, finger-picking guitarist intersperses his 6- and 7-spring playing with humorous, between-tunes monologues. Jazz Alley. (206) 441-9729.
New York City
– Mar. 13 – 17. (Wed. – Sun.) Brazilian Jazz All-Stars. Bossa nova and the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim will be authentically performed by an all-star aggregation of Brazilian artists: Duduka Da Fonseca, percussion, Romero Lubambo or Vic Juris, guitar, Claudio Roditi, trumpet, Helio Alves, piano, Maucha Adnet, voice, Hans Glawishnig, bass. Iridium. (212) 582-2121.
– Mar. 15 & 16. (Fri. & Sat.) Charlie Musselwhite. Blues harmonica player Musselwhite, a veteran of the fertile blues and rock happenings of the ‘60s, is still going strong at 69. He is alleged to be the model for Dan Aykroyd’s character in The blues Brothers. Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. (212) 258-9595.
London
– Mar. 14. (Thurs.) “Birth of the Cool.” The Richard Shepherd Nonet celebrates the music from Miles Davis’ iconic Birth of the Cool recording, plus classics from Kind of Blue and Milestones. Ronnie Scott’s. +44 20 7439 0747.
Milan
– Mar. 15 & 16. (Fri. & Sat.) Brad Mehldau and Mark Guiliana. Mehldau steps away from his classically oriented acoustic jazz with Mehliana – an electric funk duet project with drummer Guiliana. Blue Note Milano. +39 02 6901 6888
Tokyo
– Mar. 12 & 13. (Tues. & Wed.) Kenny Barron Trio. High on the list of every major jazz artist’s first-call pianists, Barron is also a compelling, musically adventurous player in his own right – especially when he’s working with his trio. Blue Note Tokyo. +81 3-5485-0088.
