by Michael Katz Sunday at the Monterey Jazz Festival is always a mixed bag of styles, from the high school big bands to the closing headliners, with jazz variations on everything from salsa and bluegrass to the traditional Hammond B3 blowouts. Given that the mission of MJF is jazz education, I always like to check… Read More 60th Monterey Jazz Festival Day 3
By Don Heckman Talent, Oregon. Singer/pianist Jennifer Scott drove through the forest fire smoke in southern Oregon Sunday to perform a memorable evening of jazz versions of Great American Songbook classics – and a lot more. Her Trio included her husband, bassist Rene Worst, and guitarist Ed Dunsavage. As the creative director of the Siskiyou… Read More Live Jazz: The Jennifer Scott Trio in a Siskiyou Music Project performance at the Paschal Winery.
By Devon Wendell Many jazz aficionados like myself have been waiting for a live box set like this one for most of our lives and it’s finally here. Miles Davis At Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4 consists of 4 CDs featuring 20 years of Miles Davis performances (8 shows in total) showcasing Miles… Read More CD Review- Miles Davis At Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4 (Columbia/Legacy)
By Don Heckman Hollywood, CA. There seems to be more and more good news for jazz lately at Catalina Bar & Grill. A couple of weeks ago it was a stunning performance by the Ron Carter Trio. And this week offers another memorable set of performances with the arrival Tuesday night of Chick Corea and… Read More Live Jazz: Chick Corea and The Vigil at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Devon Wendell Pianist and composer Helen Sung has quickly established herself as a jazz veteran over the past decade, performing and recording with icons such as; Clark Terry, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, T.S. Monk, Lonnie Plaxico, and Terri Lyne Carrington to name a few. She is one of the most consistently brilliant recording artists… Read More CD Review: Helen Sung “Anthem For A New Day” (Concord Jazz Records)
Of West Coast Girls By Brian Arsenault The Left Coast is not taken seriously enough by the New York centric jazz “world” as a producer of any jazz, but maybe particularly female jazz singers. Of course, Queen Bentyne is based there now but she’s late of Manhattan Transfer so the East Coast still claims her.… Read More Record Rack: Lyn Stanley, Lisa Engelken
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 25. (Wed.) A Joe Pass Tribute. The great jazz guitarist’s life is celebrated with a screening of the jazzumentary, A Not So Average Joe, followed by a live performance featuring Frank Potenza, John Pisano, Jim Hughart and Colin Bailey. Catalina Bar & Grill. – Sept. 26. (Thurs.) Pat… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 25 – 29
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 – June 5. (Wed.) Barbara Morrison. Despite her difficult medical problems, the courageous, musically versatile Ms. Morrison continues to make her ever-appealing singing available to Los Angeles audiences. Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. She also performs at Steamers in Fullerton on June 7 & 8 (Fri. & Sat.).… Read More Picks of the Week: June 5 – 9
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 24. (Wed.) Barbara Morrison. A legend in her own right, the versatile Ms. Morrison celebrates the music of the iconic Ella Fitzgerald. She’ll be backed by pianist Stuart Elster, bassist Pat Senatore and drummer Lee Spath. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. -April 24. (Wed.) Miles Evans Big Band. … Read More Picks of the Week: April 24 – 28
The International Review of Music 