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
By Michael Katz Northridge, CA. There were lots of good vibes, not to mention some friendly apparitions, circulating through the Valley Performing Arts Center Wednesday night, as the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars brought their tour to the campus of Cal State Northridge. The sextet, which had closed the curtain on the 55th MJF last September,… Read More Live Jazz: The Monterey Jazz Festival All Stars at the Valley Performing Arts Center
. . “There’s a way of playing safe, there’s a way of using tricks, and there’s the way I like to play. Which is dangerously, where you’re going to take a chance on making mistakes in order to create something you haven’t created before.” – Dave Brubeck . . . To read more Quotations of… Read More Quotation of the Week: Dave Brubeck
Michael Lang has been a busy member of the Los Angeles musicians’ community for most of his adult life. He’s been an accompanist for performers reaching from Ella Fitzgerald to John Lennon. He’s recorded more than 2000 film scores And he’s written songs for Stan Getz, Fourplay, Herb Alpert and numerous others. By Mike Lang… Read More An Appreciation: Dave Brubeck
By Don Heckman Judy Carmichael is a jazz rarity — a lively, contemporary pianist who has been specializing in classic jazz piano styles, especially stride piano, since the early ’80s. Count Basie nicknamed her “Stride,” and her early career was also aided by the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Benny Carter, Freddie Green and Roy Eldridge,… Read More Q & A: Judy Carmichael
By Don Heckman The Phil Norman Tentet’s music is a refreshing reminder of the fine jazz that has been produced over the years by medium sized – 9, 10, 11 pieces – bands. Some sterling examples come quickly to mind, headlined by the classic Miles Davis Birth of the Cool band. In their performance at… Read More Live Jazz: The Phil Norman Tentet at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 14. (Tues.) Motley Crue. L.A.’s heavy metal stars of the eighties (and beyond) take over the vast expanse of the Bowl for a tour through the many hits that have made them rock icons. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2040. – June 15. (Wed.) Sachel Vasandani Quartet. At a… Read More Picks of the Week: June 14 – 19
By Don Heckman Last week, John Pisano’s Guitar Night celebrated its 14th anniversary of bringing weekly guitar jams to the Southland’s jazz audience. And last night, Guitar Night kicked off its 15th year with the kind of evening that has made this long run series into such a vital jazz destination. In addition to the… Read More Live Jazz: John Pisano’s Guitar Night at Vitello’s with Larry Koonse and Tom Warrington
By Don Heckman Bill Cosby’s irrepressible personality has been such a vital element at the Playboy Jazz Festivals that the event seemed to lose its spark in the one year in which he took a hiatus. In addition to his role as master of ceremonies, his all-star Cos of Good Music band has become one… Read More Q & A: Bill Cosby, Jazz and the Playboy Jazz Festival
The International Review of Music 