By Don Heckman Monday (6/13) …Monday nights have long been favorite occasions to hear big bands in action. As is often the case in L.A. Here are two of this week’s most bountiful opportunities: Stellar guitarist Kenny Burrell and the his swinging L.A. Jazz Unlimited Orchestra are at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood. Also… Read More THE BEST MUSIC TO SEE AND HEAR THIS WEEK JUNE 13 – 19 IN LOS ANGELES
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 3. (Wed.) Corky Hale and Eloise Laws. Pianist/harpist and all around music master Hale gets together with the engaging, Laws family vocalist Eloise for an evening of prime time music making. Her appropriate title for the evening is “Sisters! A Salute to the Great Women of Jazz, featuring… Read More Picks of the Week: December 1 – 7 in L.A. and Beyond
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 – Jan.21. (Tues.) The Pat Senatore Trio. Bassist Senatore, Josh Nelson, piano, and Mark Ferber, drums, assemble to celebrate a CD release party for the Trio’s new album, Ascensione. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Jan. 22. (Wed.) Aaron Weinstein. Violinist Weinstein, still not a highly visible jazz artist, is… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 21 – 26
By Don Heckman Bill Cunliffe’s accomplishments are many. Not only is he a world class jazz pianist, composer and arranger. He’s also acknowledged for his many skills by his musical compatriots. He’s been honored with a Grammy Award, a Down Beat Award, multiple Grammy nominations, and several Emmy nominations. Add to that a winner’s award… Read More Live Jazz: The Bill Cunliffe Big Band and Quartet with Harry Allen at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 8. (Fri.) Bill Holman Big Band. Holman’s music is always a pleasure to hear live. And this is an even better opportunity, since the band will be performing (on the first set only) its highly praised all-Thelonious Monk album, Brilliant Corners, in its entirety. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. –… Read More Picks of the Weekend: Nov. 8 – 10
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 13 & 15. (Tues. & Thurs. Dudamel conducts Verdi’s Requiem. The Los Angeles Philharmonic players, under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel, apply their superb versatility to Verdi’s magnificent work. Hollywood Bowl,. (323) 850-2000. – Aug. 13. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar night. It’s been a virtual Southland jazz institution… Read More Picks of the Week: August 12 – 18
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 23. (Tues.) The Postal Service. The electropop band – featuring Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello – celebrate their 10th anniversary. Greek Theatre (323) 665-5857. – July 24. (Wed.) Dave Damiani and the No Nonsense Orchestra. Vocalist and leader Damiani sings with the colorful sounds and swinging rhythms of… Read More Picks of the Week: July 23 – 28.
By Don Heckman The 55th annual Grammy Awards are now history. But not exactly history-making, especially in the Jazz categories. It’s hard to imagine anyone being surprised by most of the results. Or, in fact, by most of nominations. That’s not to demean, in any way, the work of the jazz artists who did receive… Read More Here, There & Everywhere: The 2013 Jazz Grammy Awards
By Don Heckman Studio City, CA. Sometimes a music reviewer just has to do a lot in a single night – often unexpectedly. As I did on Friday. Even though it hadn’t actually started out that way. My schedule for the evening originally included a stop at Vitello’s to hear the Bill Cunliffe big band… Read More Live Jazz: A Busy Friday Night at Vitello’s and the Out Take Bistro
The International Review of Music 