By Roger Crane Jazz in film vs. jazz on film. In the former case jazz is on the soundtrack but no musicians appear on screen. In the latter, jazz musicians do also appear, perhaps as cameo only or perhaps given roles. In my first example, The Talented Mr., Ripley, Jude Law portrays a jazz loving… Read More JAZZ IN FILM: Looking at Two Examples
By Don Heckman lt usually takes a while before a performer can generate enough dynamic energy to begin to steal the show. But at the Hollywood Bowl Wednesday night, the opening act – Brazilian pianist/singer Eliane Elias – claimed a large chunk of the evening’s creative territory before her relatively brief half hour set was… Read More Live Music: Eliane Elias, Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin, and Boz Scaggs at the Hollywood Bowl.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 16. (Wed.) Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin, Boz Scaggs, Eliane Elias. It’s a line-up filled with masters of far-reaching jazz genres (and beyond). Expect an evening of jazz for every taste. Look for an iRoM review later this week. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000. . – July 16.… Read More Picks of the Week: July 15 – July 20. (Tues. – Sun.) in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, London and Paris.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 8. (Wed.) Jim Cox Trio. Pianist Cox has long been one of the Southland’s first call pianists and arrangers. Here he is, on his own, backed by bassist Domenic Genova and drummer John Ferraro. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Jan. 8 & 9. (Wed. & Thurs.) Laura Benanti. Tony… Read More Picks of the Week: January 8 – 12
By Don Heckman Bel Air, CA. Alan Bergman made one of his too-rare club appearances Wednesday night in an utterly captivating performance at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. It’s always a pleasure to hear songwriters do their own music. And even more fascinating when the songwriter is as fine a performing artist as Bergman. In… Read More Live Music: Alan Bergman at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
BY DON HECKMAN Los Angeles Oct. 11. (Thurs.) Dr. John, the Lower 911 and the Blind Boys of Alabama. “Spirituals To Funk.” The title is right on target, with Dr. John’s inimitable, funk-driven, Crescent city swing and the gripping spirituals of the Blind Boys. Valley Performing Arts Center. (818) 677-8800. – Oct. 11. (Thurs.) Frank… Read More Picks of the Week: October 9 – 14
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 21. (Tues.) McGegan conducts Haydn. Nicholas McGegan conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a program of Papa Haydn’s finest, including the Alleluia Symphony and the Drumroll Symphony. Add to that an appearance by the brilliant British trumpeter Alison Balsom performing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000. –… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 20 – 26
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 15 – 20. (Tues. – Sun.) Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke celebrate Jack’s 70th birthday. It would be hard to ask for a more stellar trio than this. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear three authentically iconic jazz artists performing together. Catalina Bar & Grill. … Read More Picks of the Week: May 15 – 20
By Don Heckman Hearing Alan Bergman perform a program of his songs Tuesday night at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. was like hearing Johnny Mercer sing “One For My Baby” or Antonio Carlos Jobim do “Aguas de Marzo.” I say “his” songs inclusively, since they really were songs with lyrics written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, with… Read More Live Music: Alan Bergman at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
By Don Heckman A group of world class singers appearing on the same stage can often be a recipe for rampant egomania. But not when the singers – Morgan Ames, Julie Delgado, Deborah Dietrich, Shelby Flint, Sheri Izzard and Michael Mishaw — are the members of the vocal ensemble Inner Voices. The performance of this… Read More Live Music: Inner Voices at Vitello’s
The International Review of Music 