By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 20. (Tues.) Carol Welsman. She sings with an utter mastery of jazz vocalizing. Add to that Carol’s equally impressive piano playing, always imaginative, always swinging. She doesn’t do a lot of club dates, so don’t miss this one. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – May 20. (Tues.) Guitar… Read More Picks of the Week: May 19 – 25
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 3. (Tues.) Leon Russell. One of the great iconic figures of the golden era of rock makes a rare local appearance in a relatively small venue. There’ll also be a special performance by Booker T. Jones. The El Rey. (323) 936-6400. – May 3. (Tues.) Emil Richards, Mike… Read More Picks of the Week: May 3 – 8
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 2. (Tues.) Larry Goldings All-Stars. Keyboardist Goldings is completely worth hearing on his own. But it’ll be even better with this group of solid veteran players: Tom Scott, saxophones, Chuck Berghofer, bass, Jeff Hamilton, drums. Spazio. – Mar. 2. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. Always one of the… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 2 – 7
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 30. (Mon.) Gala Opera Night. Demetra George and Ralph Cato perform “Villains and Heroines at the Opera,” selections from Puccini, Verdi and Strauss. Frank Fetta is music director. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Nov. 30. (Mon.) Slide FX Trombone Tentet. Not quite enough trombones to play “76… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 30 – Dec. 6
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 7 & 8. (Wed. & Thurs.) The Stanley Clarke Trio with Hiromi and Lenny White. They initially seemed an unlikely musical combination – the Return to Forever team of Clarke and White, with the adventurous jazz fusion pianist Hiromi. But the blend has turned out to be remarkably… Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 5 – 11
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 11. (Tues.) John Pisano Guitar Night. Every Guitar Night — Tuesdays at Spazio — is a great night for music. And this one’s even more special, with Pisano trading licks with the versatile, imaginative Larry Koonse. Tom Warrington‘s bass keeps the dueling guitars in line. Spazio. (818) 728-8400.… Read More Picks of the Week: August 11 – 16
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 9. (Tues.) Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra. The sixth annual KKJZ-sponsored Wine, Jazz & Moonlight Series at Hollywood & Highland features a performance by saxophonist Kim Richmond’s 23-piece Concert Jazz Orchestra. From 7 – 9 p.m. in the Central Courtyard. Free admission. A donation of $10 to Project… Read More Picks of the Week: June 9 – 14
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 17. (Tues.) Mon David. The Filipino singer has all the skills to emerge as one of the breakout male jazz vocal talents of the year. Vibrato. (310) 474-9400. www.vibratogrilljazz.com – Feb. 17. (Tues.) “Tales From the Diva Den” featuring Kristin Korb, Inga Swearingen, Kathleen Grace. They may be… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 16 – 22
Los Angeles – Jan. 26. (Mon.) Remembering Russ Freeman. A long overdue remembrance of the bop-driven pianist/composer who was so vital to the West Coast jazz of Art Pepper, Shorty Rogers, Shelly Manne and others. Featuring trumpeter Bobby Shew, vocalist Tyia Wilson and a string ensemble performing Nathan Tanoue‘s new arrangements of Freeman works. Jazz… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 26 – Feb. 1
The International Review of Music 