By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– July 1 (Mon.) Suze’s Birthday Fest. Susan Krebs celebrates her birthday in the creative company of Rich Eames, piano, Jerry Kalaf, drums and Tom Warrington, bass. Add to that the presence of special guests saxophonist Brian Scanlon and violinist Paul Cartwright. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– July 2. (Tues.) Carol Robbins, Pat Senatore and Larry Koonse. An evening of interactive stringed instruments, with Robbins’ harp, Senatore’s bass and Koonse’s guitar. Expect to hear some brisk swing combined with some fascinating textures. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
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– July 2 – 4. (Tues. – Thurs.) Josh Groban Fireworks Spectacular. Groban’s warm, baritone voice is featured singing patriotic songs, supported by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and conductor Sarah Hicks in this year’s fireworks spectacular. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000.
– July 5. (Fri.) Joe La Barbera Quintet. Everyone’s favorite rhythm section drummer steps into the leadership role with a stellar group that includes saxophonist Bob Sheppard, trumpeter Clay Jenkins, pianist John Beasley and bassist Tom Warrington. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– July 5 & 6. (Fri. & Sat.) Bugs Bunny at the Symphony. An evening of classic Bugs Bunny cartoons along with Tom and Jerry and some new 3D animation. The video projections will be performed with live music from the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by George Daugherty. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000.
– July 5 – 7. (Fri. – Sun.) Ron Carter Trio. With Russell Malone and Donald Vega. It’s a cross-generational trio of world class players, from veteran bassist Carter and busy guitarist Malone with the gifted young pianist Vega. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– July 6. (Sat.) Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson plays Thick as a Brick 1 & 2 in a theatrical production with video and additional musicians – including some who are veterans of Jethro Tull. The Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857.
– July 7. (Sun.) LL Cool Jay. Grammy-winning LL Cool Jay headlines the Kings of the Mic hip-hop tour, joined by Ice Cube, Public Enemy and De La Soul. The Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857.
– July 7. (Sun.) David Silverman. Singer/pianist Silverman, who has become a major musical star in Tokyo over the past two decades, performs a program of classics from the Great American Songbook. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
San Francisco
– July 6. (Sat.) Jim Kweskin Jug Band 50th Reunion. Featured artists include Maria and Jeff Muldaur, Richard Greene and Bill Keith from the original Jug Band, along with guitarist Cindy Cashdollar and bassist Sam Bevan. Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse. Berkely, CA. (510) 644-2020, x120.
New York
– July 2 – 4. (Tues. – Thurs.) Jackie Ryan. The ever-appealing jazz singer Ryan celebrates the release of her new CD Listen Here with special guest Harry Allen. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– July 2 – 7. (Tues. – Sun.) Jerry Gonzalez & the Fort Apache Band. The super-heated Latin jazz rhythms of the Fort Apache Band fill the room whenever trumpeter/percussionist Gonzalez and his players perform. Village Vanguard. (s12) 475-8592.
– July 2 & 3. (Tues. & Wed.) Dominick Farinacci. Trumpeter Farinacci, one of the most gifted players of his generation, still hasn’t received the attention his fine playing deserves. He performs with Zaccai Curtis, piano; Ryan Scott, guitar; Yasushi Nakamura, bass; Keita Ogawa, percussion. Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. (212) 258-9595.
London
– July 7. (Sun.) Daryl Sherman. “The Songs of Johnny Mercer and Cole Porter.” Singer/pianist Sherman offers a convincing blend of cabaret and jazz. She performs here with Alan Barns, woodwinds, Andy Cleyndert, bass, and Steve Brown, drums. Ronnie Scott’s. +44 20 7439 0747.
Copenhagen
– July 4 & 5. (Thurs. & Fri.) ‘The New Generation Meets the Great Danes.” Young American jazz pianist Christian Sands performs with a pair of legendary Danish jazz artists, bassist Thomas Fonnesback and drummer Alex Riel. Jazzhus Montmartre. +45 31 72 34 94.
Tokyo
– July 1 – 3. (Mon. – Wed.) The Pat Martino Trio. Guitarist Martino was striken with amnesia after experiencing after a near-fatal brain aneurysm in 1980. But over the succeeding years he relearned how to play his instrument, returning to action in 1987 with a sequence of superb recordings. The Blue Note Tokyo. +81 3-5485-0088.
The International Review of Music 