By Don Heckman Robert Davi made a return visit to Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc., Wednesday and Thursday nights. And, once again, Herb Alpert’s elegant jazz club was overflowing with enthusiastic listeners eager to hear singer/actor Davi’s engaging tribute to Frank Sinatra. The timing couldn’t have been better. Wednesday, December 12, was Old Blue Eyes’ 97th birthday. … Read More Live Music: Robert Davi at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
BY DON HECKMAN Los Angeles Oct. 11. (Thurs.) Dr. John, the Lower 911 and the Blind Boys of Alabama. “Spirituals To Funk.” The title is right on target, with Dr. John’s inimitable, funk-driven, Crescent city swing and the gripping spirituals of the Blind Boys. Valley Performing Arts Center. (818) 677-8800. – Oct. 11. (Thurs.) Frank… Read More Picks of the Week: October 9 – 14
By Fernando Gonzalez The music business might be not much of a business these days, but the quantity, variety and quality of the music being released is quite astonishing. No, not every recording is great or even merely necessary. Few would argue against democratizing the production and delivery process in music – but on the… Read More Jazz with an Accent: New CDs from e.s.t., Tania Maria and Eddie Gomez, Alfredo Rodriguez, Diego Schissi, and Christian Escoude
By Fernando Gonzalez There might be a crisis in the business of music, but judging by recent releases, not on the making of music. There is a lot to catch up with. Here are two worthy new records. Arturo Sandoval Dear Diz (Every Day I Think of You) (Concord) Dear Diz (Every Day I Think… Read More Jazz With an Accent: New CDs From Arturo Sandoval and Leni Stern
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 22. (Tues.) Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Trey McIntyre Project. New Orleans roots, at their most convincing authenticity are delivered by the Preservation Hall players in a fascinating collaboration with the entrancing choreography of the McIntyre Project’s modern dance. Disney Hall. 638 (323) 850-2000. – Nov. 22.… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 22 – 27
By Michael Katz In 1970, when I started collecting jazz albums, one of my first was Quincy Jones’ Walking In Space. I’d heard the title tune from the show Hair on the radio, along with the killer version of Benny Golson’s “Killer Joe.” I’d recognized many of the soloists: Hubert Laws, Freddie Hubbard, Toots Thielemans.… Read More Live Music: Quincy Jones’ Global Gumbo All Stars at the Hollywood Bowl
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 7. (Wed.) Quincy Jones Band featuring the Global Gumbo All-Stars and Friends. No one knows how to put together an evening of immensely entertaining music as well as Quincy Jones. And he’s assembled one of his characteristically spectacular programs for an event that easily promises to be one… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept 5 – 11
By Don Heckman Alfredo Rodriguez returned to Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. Tuesday night, more than a year after he made his first memorable appearance at the Bel Air venue. And the performance was an impressive display of how far he has come in that brief, intervening time. Reviewing that first performance in August, 2009, I praised… Read More Live Jazz: The Alfredo Rodriguez Trio at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etcJ
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 22. (Tues.) Lisa McClowry. Eclectic singer McClowry –nominated for International Vocalist of the Year in the 2011 Wave Awards — ranges freely across pop, rock, jazz and folk boundary lines. She’ll be backed by a group that features guitarist/singer/Grammy winning songwriter Jim Peterik. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Mar.… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 22 – 27
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 29. (Wed.) Strunz & Farah. The dynamic guitar duo display their fast-fingered magic. Click HERE to read an iRoM review of a recent S&F appearance. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Sept. 29 – Aug. 3 (Wed. – Sun.) McCoy Tyner Quartet. The ever-exploratory Tyner, leads a group… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 28 – Oct. 3
The International Review of Music 