By Don Heckman Jane Monheit’s in town again this week for another of her holiday season visits. She opened at Catalina Bar & Grill on Friday, continued on Saturday and will also perform at the club tonight (Sunday) and Monday, finishing up Tuesday with a New Year’s Eve appearance. And that’s great news for fans… Read More Live Jazz: Jane Monheit at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman Pop and rock music ruled Saturday at the Opening Night of the Hollywood Bowl season with the introduction of the 2013 inductees into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame – Patti Austin, John Legend, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. Nothing wrong with that line-up for music fans with a pop/rock orientation. And… Read More Live Music: Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl with Patti Austin, John Legend, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry
By Devon Wendell On Saturday, June 15, Gregory Porter will be headlining the 35th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival at The Hollywood Bowl. The trailblazing jazz vocalist and songwriter has become one of the most important male jazz singers to come along in decades since the release of his debut album Water (Motema) in 2010, which… Read More Q&A: Gregory Porter at the Playboy Jazz Festival
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 24. (Wed.) Barbara Morrison. A legend in her own right, the versatile Ms. Morrison celebrates the music of the iconic Ella Fitzgerald. She’ll be backed by pianist Stuart Elster, bassist Pat Senatore and drummer Lee Spath. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. -April 24. (Wed.) Miles Evans Big Band. … Read More Picks of the Week: April 24 – 28
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar.6. (Wed.) Karen Benjamin and Alan Chapman. The husband and wife team of singer Benjamin and pianist Chapman bring an impressive blend of musicality and entertainment to their compelling, always illuminating excursions through the Great American Songbook. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. – Mar. 6. (Wed.) George Kahn… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 5 – 10
By Don Heckman It’s easy to take many musicians for granted. The musicians, that is, who create the infinite array of melodies, textures and rhythms that are the soundtrack of daily life. On television and film screens, Muzak, iTunes, videogame music tracks, favorite CD collections, and so on. “Studio musicians,” they’re called, usually with a… Read More Live Jazz: The Mike Lang Trio at Catalina Bar & Grill
Mike 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. On many of… Read More An Appreciation: Jimmy Bond 1933 – 2012
By Don Heckman Sheila Jordan was in town last weekend for a two night gig at Vitello’s. Any appearance by Sheila is a significant event for jazz fans. And this one was no exception. On Friday, she teamed up with singer/author Ellen Johnson for a combined words and music event. Johnson read a few passages… Read More Here, There & Everywhere: Sheila Jordan at Vitello’s
By Michael Katz So here we are again, nestled under the oaks at the Garden Stage at the Monterey Fairgrounds, listening to a young saxophone player named Ben Flocks send sweet solos into the misty evening. It’s barely 6:30 on Friday night, friends old and new are gathering around the metal benches whose backs, like… Read More Live Jazz: The 53rd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival (Day 1)
By Larry Koonse The recent passing of Herb Ellis signals yet another huge loss to an era of musicians who were actively involved in creating that feeling known as “swing.” And nobody could swing harder than Herb could. After spending his earlier years honing his craft with Jimmy Dorsey he went on to form the… Read More An Appreciation: Herb Ellis by Larry Koonse
The International Review of Music 