by Michael Katz Sunday at the Monterey Jazz Festival is always a mixed bag of styles, from the high school big bands to the closing headliners, with jazz variations on everything from salsa and bluegrass to the traditional Hammond B3 blowouts. Given that the mission of MJF is jazz education, I always like to check… Read More 60th Monterey Jazz Festival Day 3
By Don Heckman It’s a light weekend, as Yom Kippur ushers in October. But there are some intriguing musical events to experience. Like these: – Oct. 3. (Fri.) Angelique Kidjo, With special guest Red Baraat, Dynamic, exciting and entertaining only begin to describe Angelique Kidjo’s remarkable performances. And this one includes the added high energies… Read More Picks of the Weekend in L.A.: October 3 – 5.
Review by Michael Katz Photos by Bonnie Perkinson Hollywood CA. One happy problem with an eight hour music fest that runs uninterrupted through the shifting temperatures of a near-summer’s day at the Hollywood Bowl is a lineup so strong you don’t want to leave your seat. That was the occasion on Saturday, Day 1 of… Read More Live Jazz: The 35th Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Day #1
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 12. (Wed.) Julian Coryell. He’s received an impressive guitar-playing legacy from his father, Larry Coryell. But Julian has thoroughly developed a creative style of his own. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – June 13. (Thurs.) Cindy Lauper. 30th Anniversary: She’s So Unusual Tour. The inimitable Cindy Lauper celebrates the anniversary… Read More Picks of the Week: June 12 – 16
By Brian Arsenault I am always a bit suspicious of organizations aligning themselves with art and artists, even one as “pure” as Amnesty International. Organizations, you see, always have agendas and the only agenda artists should have is their art. It might not be fair to say but I rather envision Amnesty International supporters as… Read More CD Review: “Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International”
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 18 – 20. (Tues. – Thurs.) John Scofield. Always looking for new musical adventures, guitarist Scofield has moved through every imaginable jazz variation, including – among others –blues, gospel, pop, funk and beyond. But he’s always been a solid bebop master, as well. Lately, he’s been going back… Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 18 – 22
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 14. (Tues.) Motley Crue. L.A.’s heavy metal stars of the eighties (and beyond) take over the vast expanse of the Bowl for a tour through the many hits that have made them rock icons. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2040. – June 15. (Wed.) Sachel Vasandani Quartet. At a… Read More Picks of the Week: June 14 – 19
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April. 26. (Tues.) “The Music of Sonny Rollins.” Tenor saxophonist Benn Clatworthy takes on the challenging task of exploring the music of a great jazz master. Expect intriguing results. With the Chris Colangelo Trio. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058. – April 27. (Wed.) Phil Upchurch Quartet. Master blues and jazz… Read More Picks of the Week: April 26 – May 1
By Michael Katz Sunday promised to be a scintillating day of music, with several can’t miss attractions at the Garden Stage sandwiched between the afternoon and evening programs at the other venues. The early afternoon shows are annually dedicated to student bands, from the high school vocal ensembles to the Cal State Northridge band. The… Read More Live Jazz: The 53rd ANNUAL MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL (Day 3)
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 14. (Tues.) Michael Bolton. One World One Love Tour. The title says it all for the music of the two-time Grammy winner, Bolton, whose soft-rock style has been appealing to romantics since the ‘80s. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 915-8501. – Sept. 14. (Tues.) John Proulx… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 14 – 19.
The International Review of Music 