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 Brick Wahl Beverly Hills, CA. Saw Jon Mayer Tuesday in Beverly Hills at a club called H.O.M.E. A trio gig, with rock solid down the middle Chris Conner on bass, always good, and Roy McCurdy on drums. They don’t make drummers like Roy anymore. All that power. Not Elvin Jones power, but metrical power,… Read More Live Jazz: The Jon Mayer Trio at H.O.M.E.
By Norton Wright It was another extraordinary afternoon on Sunday with SING! SING! SING!, the unique 9-person group of rehearsed singers led by Artistic Director Judy Wolman. Sprightly swinging on piano with Chris Conner on bass, Jack LeCompte on drums, Wolman and raconteur Howard Lewis melded the history of composer George Gershwin and lyricist Ira Gershwin… Read More Live Music: Gershwins With A Groove: SING! SING! SING! at Keyboard Concepts
By Don Heckman Stephanie Haynes was back last night. Back from years in Las Vegas, performing again at a premiere Los Angeles jazz club as she so often did in the closing decades of the 20th century. In those remembered evenings, she could be heard at such now-departed venues as Spazio or the Jazz Bakery. … Read More LIve Jazz: Stephanie Haynes and the Karen Hammack Trio Upstairs at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 4. (Wed.) Kris Bowers. 22 year old pianist Bowers, a graduate student at Julliard, was the winner of the Thelonious Monk Piano Competition in 2011.) Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. – Jan. 5. (Thurs.) Jon Mayer Quintet. Veteran pianist Mayer, whose resume includes gigs with the likes… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 4 – 8
By Don Heckman Christmas caroling was a regular seasonal activity in my young life. Growing up in an Eastern Pennsylvania rust belt city, singing carols while slip-sliding our way across icy sidewalks was as necessary to the holiday as going to Mass on Christmas eve. In a way, it was an equally necessary counter to… Read More Here, There & Everywhere: Sing! Sing! Sing!
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 3. (Tues.) Leon Russell. One of the great iconic figures of the golden era of rock makes a rare local appearance in a relatively small venue. There’ll also be a special performance by Booker T. Jones. The El Rey. (323) 936-6400. – May 3. (Tues.) Emil Richards, Mike… Read More Picks of the Week: May 3 – 8
By Tony Gieske Let’s talk about that undermeditated topic, lighting. The lighting at Vibrato’s voluminous listening room, for instance, is without stain and healthy, which is to say clean and well. Equally clean and well lighted, if you’ll forgive the segue, was the Steve Huffsteter big band, a precision ensemble that played the room last… Read More Live Jazz: The Steve Huffsteter Big Band at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 19 (Tues.) Robert Glasper Trio. More than most of his contemporaries, pianist Glasper has found ways to compatibly combine hip-hop, rock and r & b elements with his solid jazz skills. Catalina Bar & Grill. http://www.catalinajazzclub.com (323) 466-2210. – Oct. 19. (Tues.) Henry Franklin’s Big 70th Birthday Celebration. … Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 19 – 24
By Don Heckman Don Menza picked the right players for his Stan Getz tribute at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. Tuesday night. The saxophone quartet of Menza, Pete Christlieb, Gary Foster (on tenors) and Gene Cipriano (on baritone) brought plenty of experience, skill and Getz-knowledge to the proceedings. Trumpeter Don Rader added some cool contrast, and the… Read More Live Jazz: Don Menza’s Stan Getz Tribute at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
The International Review of Music 