By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
– Oct. 30. (Wed.) Amanda McBroom. The singer, actress and songwriter (“The Rose” is one of her songs) takes a break from her busy acting career to make a rare musical appearance in Los Angeles. Catalina Bar & Grill. (223) 466-2210.
– Oct. 31. (Thurs.) Kate Reid and Larry Koonse Duo. Guitarist Koonse, who is at the top of everyone’s rhythm section list, has a strong musical connection with singer/pianist/educator Reid. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Nov. 1 – 3. (Fri. – Sun.) Vivaldi with Perlman. Violinist Itzhak Perlman conducts and solos with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a program of Vivaldi, Weber and Berlioz. Walt Disney Hall. /2013-11-01 (323) 850-2000.
– Nov. 1. (Fri.) Bob Sheppard Trio. He’s a prime, first-call tenor saxophonist, but Sheppard is also a versatile woodwind (clarinet, flute and other saxophones) artist as well. Hear him in the warm acoustic ambiance of Herb Alpert’s elegant jazz club. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– Nov. 1 – 3. (Fri. – Sun.) Karrin Allyson. Multiple Grammy nominated Allyson performs superbly in genres reaching from folk to cabaret to jazz to bossa nova and beyond. Her L.A. performances are rare, and always worth attending. Catalina Bar & Grill. (223) 466-2210.
– Nov. 2. (Sat.) Joanne Tatham. “Soundtrack New York: Music from Movies Made in Manhattan. It’s a fascinating idea for a program of songs, with dozens from which to chose. And Tatham delivers it well, via her warm, seductive sound and musical story-telling skills. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– Nov. 3. (Sun.) The Pat Senatore Trio. With Josh Nelson, piano and Mark Ferber, drums. Bassist Senatore leads a stellar group of players in a CD release party celebrating the release of the Trio’s new album, Ascensione. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
San Francisco
– Oct. 30 & 31. (Wed. & Thurs.) The Four Freshmen. Their history dates back to the late ‘40s, when the Freshmen were creating harmonically lush, jazz-driven jazz vocalizing, accompanied by their own multiple instrumental skills. This is a younger version of the Freshmen, but their music continues to be richly compelling. Yoshi’s Oakland. (510) 238-9200.
Seattle
– Oct. 31 – Nov. 3. (Thurs. – Sun.) Gerald Albright. He’s well known as a much-admired, contemporary jazz saxophonist, but Albright is also a multi-instrumentalist who brings genre-crossing sounds to all his performances. Jazz Alley. (206) 441-9729.
New York City
– Nov. 1 – 3. (Fri. – Sun.) Arturo Sandoval. Every performance by Cuban-born Sandoval is a stunning display of his musical range and instrumental eclecticism. Whether playing Dizzy Gillespie-influenced trumpet, rhapsodic piano, dynamic drumming, or singing, he does it all with complete musical mastery. The Blue Note. (212) 475-8592.
Oct., 31 – Nov. 3. (Thurs. – Sun.) The Vijay Iyer Trio. Pianist Iyer’s Grammy-nominated Trio is an engaging vehicle for his playing, which incorporates aspects of his Indian heritage with his dynamic piano style. Jazz Standard.
– Oct. 29 – Nov. 2. (Tues. – Sat.) The Ron Carter Nonet. Carter has performed as everyone’s favorite bassist on more than 2500 albums. But he’s less-known as a composer and band leader in his own right, who should be heard at every opportunity. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
London
– Nov. 2 & 3. (Sat. & Sun.) Dave Holland Prism. Prism is the latest in bassist Holland’s numerous ensembles. And like all his musical efforts, it leads his listeners through inventive musical adventures. Ronnie Scott’s. +44 (0)20 7439 0747
Copenhagen
– Nov. 1 & 2. (Fri. & Sat.) The Ben Sidran Quartet. “Don’t Cry For No Hipster.” The versatile Sidran, a Renaissance jazz man, moves comfortably from performing jazz, rock and beyond to work as a producer, educator and radio host. Here, he’s on piano and vocals, backed by Bob Rockwell, tenor saxophone, Billy Peterson, bass and Leo Sidran, drums. Jazzhus Montmartre. +45 31 72 34 94.
Milan
– Oct. 30 & 31. (Wed. & Thurs.) Jack DeJohnette Group. Drummer DeJohnette, always creatively curious, leads an ensemble that features the equally inventive clarinetist/saxophonist Don Byron. Blue Note Milano. +39.02.69016888.
The International Review of Music 