By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 28. (Tues.) Guitar Night with John Pisano. Like all of John Pisano’s Guitar Nights, this week’s features a world class assemblage of players: in addition to Pisano, you’ll hear guitarist Barry Zweig, bassist Chris Conner and drummer Tim Pleasant. Viva Cantina. (818) 845-2425. ‘ – Oct. 28,. (Tues.)… Read More Picks of the Week: October 27 – November 2
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 2. (Wed.) Diane Hubka. Singer/guitarist Hubka celebrates the release of her new CD, West Coast Strings. She’ll be backed by a prime group of players: Guitarists John Pisano, Barry Zweig & David Eastlee, organist Bobby Pierce, bassist Jeff D’Angelo and drummer Kendall Kay. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323)… Read More Picks of the Week: October 2 – 6
By Don Heckman Wednesday was another one of those mid-week jazz nights in L.A. A lot of choices about what to hear, with the usual freeway determinants – traffic and/or distance – playing a role in where to go. But I also was in the mood to hear something a little unusual. And Ron Kalina’s… Read More Live Jazz: The Ron Kalina Quartet at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 14 & 15. (Tues. & Wed.) Michael Jackson the Immortal World Tour. Cirque du Soleil. The music and lyrics of Michael Jackson are the foundation for a show that “immerses audiences in Michael’s creative world and literally turns his signature moves upside down,” performed by the incomparable artists… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 14 – 19
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 7. (Tues.) Misha Piatigorsky and Sketchy Black Dog. Winner of the 2004 Thelonious Monk Composers’ Competition, Piatigorsky applies his adventurous composition and piano playing skills within the offbeat string quartet sounds of the Sketchy Black Dog. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. http://www.vibratogrilljazz.com (310) 474-9400. – Feb. 7. (Tues.) Guitar Night. … Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 6 – 12
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 30 & 31. (Tues. & Wed.) Michael Wolff Quartet. Pianist and television personality Wolff does a live recording with the stellar ensemble of trumpeter/film composer Mark Isham, bassist John B. Williams and drummer Mike Clark. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Aug. 31. (Wed.) George Benson, George Duke, Marcus Miller… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 30 – Sept. 4
By Don Heckman Los Angeles Nov. 22. (Mon.) Judy Wolman’s Thanksgiving Sing-a-long. Great American Songbook. Here’s a chance to be thankful for Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Rodgers & Hart, etc. While having a lot more fun singing than you ever could in the shower. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Nov. 23. (Tues.) Jimmy Branley Quartet. Drummer… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 22 – 28
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 1. (Tues.) Guitar Night. John Pisano, Barry Zweig. John Belzaguy. A pair of veteran guitarists – each with an overflowing resume of memorable appearances – have a typical Guitar Night jam with the solid backing of bassist Belzaguy. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – June 1. (Tues.) Lisa Hilton. Described… Read More Picks of the Week: June 1 – 6
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 9. (Tues.) The Jennifer York Quartet. Bassist and TV personality York leads a band that crosses smoothly from contemporary to mainstream jazz. The evening will be further enlivened by the always impressive singing of special guest Chris Bennett. Catalina Bar & Grill (323) 466-2210. – Feb. 9. (Tues.) … Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 8 – 14
By Don Heckman The new John Pisano Guitar Night series kicked off with a bang Tuesday night at Vitello’s in Studio City. Notice that I did not say “Upstairs” at Vitello’s. Although the venue’s upstairs room has been rapidly emerging as one of L.A.’s prime jazz destinations, Pisano opted for a more intimate downstairs lounge… Read More Live Jazz: Grand Opening of Guitar Night at Vitello’s
The International Review of Music 