By Don Heckman Ashland, Oregon. The immortal music of the great French Gypsy guitarist/composer Django Reinhardt was in the air Wednesday at a seemingly unlikely location – the Belle Fiore Winery. But it’s second floor open air restaurant, with vistas of rolling vineyards in all directions, was the perfect setting for some classic Django jazz.… Read More Live Jazz: “Pearl of Django” at the Belle Fiore Winery
By Allegra Heckman and Ityen Aznarez Talent, Oregon. Last week, at the Paschal Winery and Vineyard in Talent, Oregon, the quintet Pearl Django played an intimate 2 sets to a full house of appreciative patrons. The show was part of the Fall concert series produced by the Siskiyou Music Project, an institute that provides opportunities… Read More Live Music: Pearl Django in a Siskiyou Music Project concert at Paschal Winery
By Don Heckman The Siskiyou Music Project is offering a continuing flow of high level talent in the final weeks of its Summer schedule. On SMP’s Sunday night event at the Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon, a packed house enthusiastically greeted the oddly titled but musically memorable jazz quintet Occidental Gypsy. In fact, the title… Read More Live Jazz: Occidental Gypsy at Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 5. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. The official release party for Pat Kelley‘s new CD, Overtones 4 Two Guitars. With Pisano, Kelley, Kendall Kay, drums, and John Belzaguy, bass. Viva Cantina. (818) 845-2425. – Aug. 5 & 6. (Tues. & Wed.) The Gypsy Allstars. If you like the… Read More Picks of the Week: August 4 – 10 in Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, New York City, London, Berlin, Stockholm, Moscow and Tokyo
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 8. (Fri.) Bill Holman Big Band. Holman’s music is always a pleasure to hear live. And this is an even better opportunity, since the band will be performing (on the first set only) its highly praised all-Thelonious Monk album, Brilliant Corners, in its entirety. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. –… Read More Picks of the Weekend: Nov. 8 – 10
By Don Heckman Los Angeles Nov. 7. (Wed.) John Proulx CD Release Party. Pianist/singer Proulx celebrates the release of his new CD, The Best Thing For You, In addition to a stellar back up band, Proulx’s guest artists include singer Sara Gazarek and pianist Bill Cunliffe. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. – Nov. 8.… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 7 – 11
By Mike Finkelstein The David Grisman Sextet rambled through a CAP UCLA performance at Royce Hall on Friday night, playing to a warm and delighted reception from a smaller than anticipated crowd. Still, it was a hugely satisfying night of music with none other than David Lindley opening up the festivities. Both Grisman and Lindley… Read More Live Music: David Grisman and David Lindley at Royce Hall
By Mike Finkelstein Last week, McCabe’s Guitar Shop delivered the goods in style, as usual, with a show that featured three of their resident instructors: vocalist Lawrence Lebo, bassist Denny Croy, and guitarist Doug MacLeod. Lebo and her combo went on first, MacLeod finished the evening, and Croy backed both of them. Lebo’s instrumentation was… Read More Live Music: Lawrence Lebo and Doug MacLeod at McCabe’s Guitar Shop
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 28. (Tues.) Satoko Fujii. The envelope stretching music of pianist Fujii, a brilliant composer/improviser will be enhanced by the presence of the similarly adventurous trumpeter (and her husband) Natsuki Tamura. The Blue Whale. (213) 620-0908. – June 29. (Wed.) Bob Sheppard’s East West Band. Saxophonist-flutist Sheppard can always… Read More Picks of the Week: June 28 – July 4
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 25. (Mon.) The Saxtet. A cluster of L.A.’s finest jazz saxophonists get together. Dave Angel, Gene Cipriano, Phil Feather, Roger Neumann, Bob Carr, Dave Koonse, Kendall Kay. Charlie O’s. (818) 989-3110. – Jan. 25. (Mon.) Larry Goldings Organ Night. It’s boogaloo night this time, with a dance floor… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 25 – Jan. 31
