By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– May 15. (Wed.) Brenna Whitaker. She could have been a ‘30s platinum blond star. But Whitaker doesn’t just look good; she can sing, too. This time out she picks a set of tunes to enhance the birthday of Vibrato co-owner Eden Alpert. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– May 15. (Wed.) Lado B Project. A lively evening of Brazilian music, featuring Otmaro Ruiz, piano, Larry Koonse, guitar, Edwin Livingston, bass, Aaron Serfaty, drums and Catina DeLuna, voice. Brazilian music. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– May 16. (Thurs.) Lisa Hilton. The ever adventurous pianist/composer Hilton continues her quest for new musical territories for her to explore. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– May 16. (Thurs.) John Proulx. Singer/pianist Proulx has begun to claim a position in the rare category of male jazz singer. Proulx, like his musical role model, Chet Baker, brings the flowing phrases of his instrumental playing to his vocal interpretations. H.O.M.E. (House of Music and Entertainment) (310) 271-4663.
– May 17. (Fri.) Jim Snidero Group. Saxophonist Snidero’s lengthy resume reaches from his own numerous recordings to performances with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Frank Wess. The Blue Whale. (213) 620-0908.
– May 17 – 19. (Fri. – Sun.) Melissa Manchester. She’s been producing memorable music since the ‘70s, including “Midnight Blue” and “Don’t Cry Out Loud.” Here’s a chance to catch her in one of her rare club appearances. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– May 17 – 19. (Fri. – Sun.) Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart. This is a stellar organ trio if ever there was one. Each of the players is an influence in his own right. Don’t miss them. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– May 17 – 19, 23 & 25. (Fri. – Sun., Thurs., Sat.) Mozart/Da Ponte Trilogy. The Marriage of Figaro. The second of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s three year trilogy of opera by Mozart and librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte. The great comic opera is performed in a concert staged version by the Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Master Chorale and soloists. Disney Hall. http://www.laphil.com (323) 850-2000.
– May 19. (Sun.) Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Concerto Finale. The LACO players offer a fascinating evening of concertos, including Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto, and an offbeat bassoon concerto performed with a 1927 silent film. Add the Beethoven Coriolan Overture and anticipate an engaging program. CAP UCLA at Royce Hall. (310) 825-4321.
– May 19. (Sun.) Deborah Voigt. Critically acknowledged as one of the classical music world’s dramatic sopranos, Voigt – who roves freely from Wagner to Puccini – offers an intimate recital of works by Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Bernstein and more. Valley Performing Arts Center. (818) 677-8800.
San Francisco
– May 16 – 19 (Thurs. – Sun.) Bela Fleck solo. Banjo master Fleck has performed in every imaginable setting. But he is especially compelling musically when he plays in the creative intimacy of a solo performance. SFJAZZ Center Miner Auditorium. (866) 920-5299.
Seattle
– May 14 & 15. (Tues. & Wed.) John Hammond. Praised by the likes of Tom Waits and T-Bone Burnett, Grammy-winning guitarist/singer/harmonica player Hammond keeps the blues alive in everything he plays. Jazz Alley. (206) 441-9729.
New York City
– May 14 – 18. (Tues. – Sat.) Bossabrasil. Featuring Dori Caymmi with special guest, Joyce. Rio comes to Manhattan in the form of a pair of Brazil’s most versatile and gifted musical artists. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– May 14 – 19. (Tues. – Sun.) The Gil Evans Project. Directed by Ryan Truesdell. An amazing week of music, featuring a large ensemble exploring the full range of Gil Evans’ extraordinary talents. The selections for each night include Gil Evans’ music for the Claude Thornhill Orchestra, “Out of the Cool,” “New Bottle, Old Wine,” “Great Jazz Standards,” “The Individualism of Gil Evans,” “Miles Ahead,” “Porgy and Bess,” Check with the club for scheduling. The Jazz Standard. (212) 576-2232.
London
– May 15 & 16. (Wed. & Thurs.) The Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band. The Fountain of Youth has had the biggest impact upon the leader, drummer and role model in this band. At 88, Haynes is still playing with the imagination and energy of youth. Ronnie Scott’s. +44 20 7439 0747.
Berlin
– May 17 & 18. (Fri. & Sat.) Lee Ritenour. He used to be called “Captain Fingers” in honor of his high-speed dexterity. But guitarist Ritenour has a more lyrical side as well, often employing octave melody style of his favorite musical model, Wes Montgomery. A-Trane. +49 30 3132 ext. 550
Copenhagen
– May 15 & 16. (Wed. & Thurs.) Mark Whitfield. Dubbed the “best young guitarist in the business” by the New York Times, Whitfield performs with a trio of prime Danish jazz musicians: Henrik Gunde, piano, Kasper Vadsholt, bass and Rasmus Kihlberg, drums. Jazzhus Montmartre. +45 31 72 34 94
Milan
– May 18. (Sat.) Anat Cohen. Clarinetist/saxophonist Cohen is in the forefront of an impressive generation of female jazz instrumentalists. She’s backed by Jason Lindner, piano, Stefano Bellani, bass and Daniel Freedman, drums. Blue Note Milano. +39 02 6901 6888.
Tokyo
– May 14 – 16. (Tues. – Thurs.) Benny Golson Quartet. Tenor saxophonist/composer Golson is still, at age 84, a player with a lot of music to express. Hopefully he’ll also play some of his jazz hits such as “Killer Joe,” “Whisper Not,” “Along Came Betty” and more. The Blue Note Tokyo. +81 3-5485-0088.
The International Review of Music 