Impressions from MJF 56, Sunday By Michael Katz Sunday brought its share of legendary virtuosos to the Monterey Fairgrounds, but before we go there, a word about the kids. Jazz education is the mission of the MJF, and Sunday afternoon demonstrated how successful they have gotten at it. The Night Club had healthy audiences to… Read More Live Jazz: Sunday at the Monterey Jazz Festival 56
By Michael Katz Every year I head up to the Monterey Jazz Festival with a battle plan for seeing as much of the three days and over 500 artists as reasonably possible, and every year that plan gets shredded almost from the opening notes. Musicians whom I’d intended to sample (like Gregory Porter last year)… Read More Preview: The 56th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival
By Don Heckman The 2013 jazz season at the Hollywood Bowl reached a peak Wednesday night with an 80th birthday celebration for saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter. The participants featured, of course, Shorter himself, playing in duo with his close friend and creative associate Herbie Hancock, with his own quartet, and with the woodwind ensemble the Imani… Read More Live Music: Wayne Shorter 80th Birthday Celebration at the Hollywood Bowl
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 16. (Wed.) Eloise Laws. A member of the musically prominent Laws family (Hubert, Ronnie and Debra among others) Eloise Laws makes a rare live performance in the Southland. Her warm and expressive vocals are backed by members of the Laws family and their talented friends. Catalina Bar &… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 15 – 20
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 22. (Tues.) Kathleen Grace Group. Singer Grace, a true musical adventurer, combines the folk-based methods of the ‘70s singer songwriters with her jazz roots in her new album, Mirror. Blue Whale. (213) 620-0908 – May 22. (Tues.) Otmaro Ruiz/Aaron Serfaty Quartet. Versatile pianist Ruiz and drummer Serfaty –… Read More Picks of the Week: May 22 – 27
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 17. (Tues.) Robert Davi. The warm, expressive sound, brisk rhythms and lyrical phrasing recall Frank Sinatra. But Davi is no Sinatra imitator. Inspired by Ol Blue Eyes, Davi has taken the style and shaped it into his own creative identity. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – April 17.… Read More Picks of the Week: April 16 – 22
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 1. Tues.) Hilary Hahn. The musically insightful violinist performs an intimate recital accompanied by pianist Valentina Lisitsa. On the program: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000. – NOv. 1 & 2. (Tues. & Wed.) Barb Jungr. English singer Jungr’s versatility is revealed in her highly personal… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 1 – 6
By Michael Katz Jazz has always attached itself to the popular musical idioms of the day, from Tin Pan Alley to the Beatles and even (gasp) hip hop. But Wednesday night’s concert at the Hollywood Bowl highlighted a reverse aspect, Joni Mitchell’s mid-seventies adaptation of jazz into her own style of songwriting and performance. Make… Read More Live Jazz: Joni’s Jazz with Herbie Hancock and an All-Star Ensemble at the Hollywood Bowl
By Michael Konik Since the 1970s, for as long as I’ve been aware of the music commonly known as “jazz,” various authorities, mavens, and aficionados have been declaring it dead or soon-to-be-deceased. “Jazz is dead.” “Jazz is dying.” “Jazz is going extinct.” If this is so, the suffering patient has been enduring a kind of… Read More Konik’s Commentary: “(K)Jazz is Dead”
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 9. (Tues.) Roy Gaines and His Orchestra. “Tuxedo Blues” Guitarist/blues singer Gaines’ resume includes stints with Ray Charles, Chuck Willis, Bobby “Blue” Bland and others. The Living Blues “Comeback Artist of the Year,” he’s still in rare form. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Nov. 9 – 13. … Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 9 – 14
The International Review of Music 