By Don Heckman Los Angeles has long been a center for world class jazz, dating back to the early 20th century. And Mark Winkler’s sparkling new album, The Company I keep, affirms that West Coast jazz, in all its splendid forms, is alive and well. It’s no surprise that singer/songwriter Winkler has produced another classic… Read More “The Company I Keep”: a new CD release by Mark Winkler
By Don Heckman “A Tribute” was the nominal title of the event that took place Sunday afternoon at Catalina Bar & Grill. But it was actually much more than that. Some called it a Love Feast, celebrating the accomplishments of Myrna Daniels and her L.A.,Jazz Scene Newspaper. Others referred, repeatedly, to the coming together of… Read More Here, There & Everywhere: A Tribute to Myrna Daniels at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman It’s another warm Summer week, with many international jazz clubs shuttered in their annual July -August hiatus. But there’s still some fine music to be heard. Los Angeles – July 22. (Tues.) Strunz and Farah. The dynamic guitar duo of Costa Rica’s Jorge Strunz and Iran’s Ardeshir Farah, showcase their irresistibly eclectic… Read More Picks of the Week: July 21 – 27 In Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, London, Paris and Tokyo
By Don Heckman Studio City CA. There was no doubt in my mind that Cheryl Bentyne would deliver a memorable performance at Vitello’s Saturday night. I just didn’t know how memorable it would be. Fully returned to performing action after recovering from a life threatening illness, Cheryl was in peak condition. She had been a… Read More Live Jazz: Cheryl Bentyne at Vitello’s
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
For Last Minute Shoppers Only (We Need All the Help We Can Get) By Brian Arsenault Peggy Duquesnel All I Ask For Christmas (CD Baby) There’s a real neat Christmas music album that for whatever reason I didn’t get around to reviewing. Peggy Duquesnel’s All I Ask For Christmas is the complete package. You get… Read More Brian Arsenault’s Short Takes: CDs and DVDs from Peggy Duquesnel, Roy Orbison, Julie Cain and Favorites from 2013
Of What Amazes and What Might Have Been By Brian Arsenault Cheryl Bentyne & Mark Winkler West Coast Cool (Summit Records) The only thing that disappoints me about West Coast Cool is that I’ll never hear it for the first time again. Jump in any place. One of them will be singing great. Or both… Read More Record Rack: Cheryl Bentyne & Mark Winkler, Ry Cooder
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 10 (Tues.) Rachmaninoff and Gershwin. “Romantic Favorites.” The Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya with piano soloist Daniil Trifonov, performs a program of richly colorful, early 20th century music. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000. – Sept. 11. (Wed.) George Benson Inspiration Tour. A Tribute To Nat “King” Cole.… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 10 – 15
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 31. (Wed.) Props to Pops: Dr. John’s Tribute to Louis Armstrong. An entertaining blend of old and new jazz, tinged with a New Orleans touch. Featured guests include Dee Dee Bridgewater, Terence Blanchard, Arturo Sandoval and more. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000. – July 31. (Wed.) Tom Ranier… Read More Picks of the Week: July 30 – Aug 4
By Don Heckman Hollywood, CA. The line waiting to get in to Catalina Bar & Grill at 7:30 Thursday night stretched all the way back to the jazz venue’s nearby garage. And it was moving slowly. But there was no sign of anyone leaving. Not for this performance. Not with a stellar assemblage of talented… Read More Live Jazz: A Tribute to Bill Henderson at Catalina Bar & Grill
The International Review of Music 