By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– April 10 – 14. (Wed. – Sun.) Chick Corea Trio. With bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Ronald Bruner, Jr. Corea’s musical activities lately have ranged in all directions. But here’s an irresistible opportunity to hear his uniquely inventive playing in an illuminating piano trio setting. Catalina Bar & Grill. (223) 466-2210.
– April 10. (Wed.) Max Raabe and the Palast Orkester. The glorious jazz and pop music of the ‘20s and ‘30s comes vividly to life in the early big band music of Germany’s Palast Orkester and singer/leader Raabe. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
– April 10. (Wed.) Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Ensemble. The seven gifted young musicians of the Monk Institute Jazz Ensemble – Mike Cottone, Josh Johnson, Eric Miller, Jonathan Pinson, David Robaire, Miro Sprague and Diego Urbano – make a rare public performance. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– April 10 & 11. (Wed. & Thurs.) Gypsy All Stars. Gypsy Kings alumni Ced Leonardi and Mario Reyes are keeping alive the surging rhythms and soaring melodies of the Indo-Gypsy fusion of the original Kings. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– April 14. (Sun.) Los Angeles Master Chorale. The stunningly versatile singers of the LAMC take on the music of Poulenc and Vaughan Williams, a pair of composers stylistically positioned on opposite sides of the English Channel. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000.
San Francisco
– April 10 & 11. (Wed. – Thurs.) Ute Lemper. The amazing Ms. Lemper calls up memories of German cabaret in general and the music of Kurt Weill in particular. SFJAZZ Center, Miner Auditorium. (866) 920-5299.
Seattle
– April 11 – 14. (Thurs. – Sun.) Kenny Garrett Quintet. Grammy-winning alto saxophonist Garrett’s resume reaches from Duke Ellington to Miles Davis. At 52, he’s one of the most inventive players of the post-Coltrane generation. Jazz Alley. t (312) 360-0234.
Boston
– April 12 & 13. (Fri. & Sat.) Michel Camilo Trio. Born in the Dominican Republic, pianist Camilo brings the panoramic rhythms and hues of the Caribbean to his inventive jazz stylings. Regatta Bar. (617) 661-5000.
New York City
April 10 – 14. (Wed. – Sun.) Al DiMeola and Gonzalo Rubalcaba Duo. Guitarist DiMeola and pianist Rubalcaba are a well-matched musical team, moving amiably across jazz stylels. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
– April 11 – 14. (Thurs. – Sun.) Eric Harland and Voyager. Drummer Harland, a first-call jazz rhythm section player, steps into the spotlight with his own group of talented young players, including Julian Lage, guitar, Taylor Eigsti, piano, Harish Raghavan, bass, Walter Smith III, tenor saxophone. The Jazz Standard. (212) 576-2232.
London
– April 14. (Sun.) Natalie Williams Soul Family. Call it a delightful evening of soul music at its finest with Williams, her band and special guest JP Cooper. Ronnie Scott’s. +44 20 7439 0747
Copenhagen
– April 11 – 13. (Thurs. – Sat.) Stefano Bollani. Milan-born pianist Bollani moves eclectically from jazz to classical music and beyond, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most gifted musical artists. He performs here with bassist Jesper Bodlisen and drummer Morten Lund. Jazzhus Montmartre. +45 31 72 34 94.
Milan
– April 13. (Sat.) Kazumi Watanabe, Jeff Berlin and Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez. Guitarist Watanabe, one of Japan’s most prominent fusion/jazz-rock artists, has performed with players ranging from Wayne Shorter to Richard Bona. He’s backed by the equally versatile bassist Berlin and drummer Hernandez. Blue Note Milano. +39 02 6901 6888
Tokyo
– April 10 – 12. (Wed. – Fri.) Helen Merrill. Jazz vocalist Merrill’s imaginiative skills have established her as a musicians’ singer, highly regarded by Japanese jazz fans. She sings with the Masahiko Satoh Trio and special guest Hozan Yamamoto. Blue Note Tokyo. +81 3-5485-0088.
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Chick Corea photo by Bonnie Perkinson.
The International Review of Music 