By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– July 23. (Tues.) The Postal Service. The electropop band – featuring Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello – celebrate their 10th anniversary. Greek Theatre (323) 665-5857.
– July 24. (Wed.) Dave Damiani and the No Nonsense Orchestra. Vocalist and leader Damiani sings with the colorful sounds and swinging rhythms of his No Nonsense Orchestra. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– July 24. (Wed.) Josh Nelson: A Tribute to Mulgrew Miller. Pianist Nelson, rapidly emerging as one of the stellar pianists of his generation offers a tribute to one of his influences. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– July 25. (Thurs.) Bill Cunliffe’s Imaginacion Quintet. Composer/arranger/pianist Cunliffe displays his affection for Latin jazz in a collection of his fine arrangements. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– July 26. (Fri.) Geoffrey Keezer “Heart of the Piano.” Grammy-nominated Keezer celebrates the release of his CD, Heart of the Piano, his first solo project in 13 years. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– July 27 & 28. (Sat. & Sun.) Chicago: The Musical. The six Tony Award-winning show receives a sensational production on the stage of the Hollywood Bowl. Brooke Shields directs, and Samantha Barks performs the role of Velma. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000.
– July 28. (Sun.) Amy Grant. Grammy Award-winning Grant stretches her appealing vocal skills from gospel to pop. The Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857.
San Francisco
– July 27 – 28. (Sat. & Sun.) The John Pizzarelli Quartet with Jessica Molaskey. Guitarist/singer Pizzarelli and his wife, musical thatre star Molaskey have become an always-entertaining, musically fascinating performance act. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
Seattle
– July 25. (Thurs.) Diane Schuur. As she approaches 60, Schuur continues to develop the musical possibilities of a beautifully soaring voice and a Sarah Vaughan-influenced style. Jazz Alley. (206) 441-9729.
Chicago
– July 25 – 28. (Thurs. – Sun.) The Ron Blake Quartet. Fast-fingered, improvisationally adept saxophonist Blake continues to expand his impressive jazz skills. Jazz Showcase. (312) 360-0234.
New York City
– July 23 – 28. (Tues. – Sun.) The Fred Hersch Trio with Joe Lovano. A pair of jazz veterans, each a deeply imaginative artist get together for a rare and compelling exchange of improvisational ideas. The Village Vanguard. (212) 255-4037.
– July 23 – 27. )Tues. – Sat.) The Masters Quartet. The title – “Masters” – doesn’t overstate it at all. How else to describe a quartet that includes pianist Steve Kuhn, saxophonist Dave Liebman, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Billy Hart. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
London
– July 23 & 24. (Tues. & Wed.) The Wynton Marsalis Quintet. London is gifted with a very rare opportunity to hear the always-compelling playing of trumpet/impresario Marsalis in a night club setting. Ronnie Scott’s. +44 20 7439 0747.
Paris
– July 25 & 26. (Thurs. & Fri.) Robert Glasper Experiment. Pianist/composer Glasper is in an exploratory phase, producing live performances and recordings revealing a creatively curious, musically questioning mind. Paris New Morning. +33 1 45 23 51 41.
Tokyo
– July 27 (Sat.) Eric Alexander Quartet. Saxophonist Alexander finished just behind Joshua Redmand and ahead of Chris Potter in the 1991 Monk Saxophone Competition. And he’s been aiming for the sun ever since with his articulate, hard-swinging style. Tokyo Blue Note. +81 3-5485-0088.
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Wynton Marsalis photo by Tony Gieske
Robert Glasper photo by Bonnie Perkinson.
The International Review of Music 