By Don Heckman As the warm days of September wind to a close, while autumn is just beginning to arrive, the bookings are light at clubs and concert venues around the world, but there’s still some very special music to hear. Los Angeles – Sept. 25. (Thurs.) Pat Senatore Trio. Bassist Senatore and his trio… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 24 – 28
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 19. (Wed.) Brenna Whitaker. She’s a blonde beauty with a voice to remember. Michael Buble has called Whitaker “one of the finest singers of our generation. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Feb. 20 – 23. (Thurs. – Sun.) ”TchaikovskyFest.” The Los Angeles Philharmonic celebrates Tchaikovsky with performances… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 18 – 23
By Don Heckman Studio City, CA. Taking a break from her full time job with the Manhattan Transfer, Janis Siegel made one of her rare solo appearances Tuesday night before a full house crowd at Vitello’s. And the result was an extraordinary display of her irresistibly appealing musicality. By the time her performance had wound… Read More Live Jazz: Janis Siegel at Vitello’s
Impressions from MJF 56, Sunday By Michael Katz Sunday brought its share of legendary virtuosos to the Monterey Fairgrounds, but before we go there, a word about the kids. Jazz education is the mission of the MJF, and Sunday afternoon demonstrated how successful they have gotten at it. The Night Club had healthy audiences to… Read More Live Jazz: Sunday at the Monterey Jazz Festival 56
By Michael Katz Every year I head up to the Monterey Jazz Festival with a battle plan for seeing as much of the three days and over 500 artists as reasonably possible, and every year that plan gets shredded almost from the opening notes. Musicians whom I’d intended to sample (like Gregory Porter last year)… Read More Preview: The 56th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival
By Don Heckman It’s a light, holiday week, with 100-plus temperatures here in L.A. But there’s still some very fine music to hear in various parts of the world. Los Angeles – Sept. 4 – 8. (Wed. – Sun.) The Roy Hargrove Quintet. Trumpeter Hargrove has appeared frequently with his big band lately. But this… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 4 – 8
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 12. (Wed.) Julian Coryell. He’s received an impressive guitar-playing legacy from his father, Larry Coryell. But Julian has thoroughly developed a creative style of his own. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – June 13. (Thurs.) Cindy Lauper. 30th Anniversary: She’s So Unusual Tour. The inimitable Cindy Lauper celebrates the anniversary… Read More Picks of the Week: June 12 – 16
By Michael Katz For those of us in love with the Monterey Jazz Festival, the longest six months of the year are the time between the final note of the last Sunday night show at the fairgrounds and the April 1 announcement of artists for the next MJF. That wait ended Monday morning with the… Read More Preview: The Monterey Jazz Festival 56
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 27 & 28. (Tues. & Wed.) “And Then She Wrote.” With Peter Marshall, Carol Welsman and Denise Donatelli. A new version of an entertaining show dedicated to the female composers and lyricists of the Great American Songbook. Tuesday night the duo of Marshall and Welsman perform; on Wednesday,… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 27 – Dec. 2
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov 14. (Wed.) David Sanborn. Alto saxophonist Sanborn is the star of pop jazz, r & b and crossover. But at the heart of his playing is a deep involvement with the essential elements of straight ahead jazz. Catalina Bar & Grill. http://www.catalinajazzclub.com (323) 466-2210. – Nov. 14. (Wed.)… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 14 – 18
The International Review of Music 