by Jane Rosenberg Elemental forces were at work on the stage of Royce Hall on Friday, October 4 when Lucy Guerin, the Australian choreographer, presented her North American premiere of “Weather” in a CAP UCLA concert. Nature’s seasons have long been a romantic lure for choreographers and composers – Petipa, Robbins, Glazunov, Tchaikovsky and Vivaldi,… Read More Dance: Lucy Guerin Inc. at Royce Hall
By Don Heckman I’ve said it before, and I’ll probably say it again. One of the really intriguing aspects of reviewing music is the occasional (and usually rare) opportunity to hear a talented new artist. Which is exactly what happened Monday night at Vitello’s with the performance by 26 year old singer/songwriter/guitarist Jesse Herrera. Albuquerque-born,… Read More Live Music: Jesse Herrera at Vitello’s
By Mike Finkelstein On Friday night a not quite sold out, but certainly revved up, Greek Theater audience was treated to a most appealing double bill of high profile American Latino rock bands. Beginning their impressive career well over three decades ago, Los Lobos first blazed the trail that Los Lonely Boys now walk. … Read More Live Rock: Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos at the Greek Theatre
By Don Heckman The vast accomplishments that made Benny Carter a jazz icon are far too numerous to mention here. Suffice to say that he was a brilliant instrumentalist (on saxophone, trumpet and more), a gifted composer/arranger for everything from small jazz bands to symphonic orchestras, the creator of a string of Swing Era big… Read More Live Jazz: Deborah Pearl sings her Benny Carter songs at Vitello’s
Morgan Ames apprenticed with Quincy Jones; sang/contracted singers for Queen Latifah for opening of 2010 Super Bowl; sang backgrounds on 2011 Oscar telecast and with Celine Dion for 9/11 telethon, conducted singers onstage for Paul McCartney at a Green Peace concert at the Hollywood Bowl (“Hey Jude”); has written songs with Johnny Mandel, Bob James,… Read More Op Ed Commentary: Morgan Ames on Millennium Women and A Cappella
By Mike Finkelstein Though they followed different paths to get there, both REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield soared to success in the ‘80’s. Most young people were hugely drawn to rock and roll then, and bands could routinely reach a wide audience rocking in America. But the complexion of popular music has obviously changed quite… Read More Live Rock: REO Speedwagon, Rick Springfield, and Art Alexakis at the Greek Theatre
By Fernando Gonzalez Paquito D’Rivera and the Pablo Aslan Ensemble Tango Jazz Live At The Lincoln Center (Paquito Records) Cuban reedman Paquito D’Rivera has been a leader in exploring the possibilities of Latin American styles in a jazz context. He had already whetted his appetite for some kind of jazz tango fusion in his 2007… Read More Latin Jazz CDs: Paquito D’Rivera and Tito Puente
The International Review of Music 