By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 25. (Wed.) Street Corner Renaissance. With a quintet of singers whose age ranges from 50 to 72, the lush a cappella harmonies and crisp rhythms of the Renaissance convincingly bring the sound of groups such as the Ink Spots and the Chiffons vividly into the present. Catalina Bar… Read More Picks of the Week: July 24 – 29
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 15. (Tues.) Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. The JLCO under Marsalis has firmly established itself as the definitive jazz repertory big band, performing programs that keep the spirit of large ensemble jazz – from Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson to the present – alive and… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 15 – 20
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 25. (Tues.) John Pisano Guitar Night features the always compelling playing of Anthony Wilson in the downstairs lounge. Upstairs, the jazz voices take over, with the Peter Eldridge Group and Dollison & Marsh’s Vertical Voices. Grammy nominated pianist Geoff Keezer provides his usual scintillating accompaniment. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 25 – 31
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 18. (Tues.) Don Menza’s Stan Getz Tribute. Not exactly the return of the Four Brothers, but it should be a mellow saxophone night with Pete Christlieb, Gary Foster and Gene Cipriano, saxes, Don Rader, trumpet, Tom Ranier, piano, Chris Connor, bass and Dick Weller, drums. Vibrato (310) 474-9400.… Read More Picks of the Week: May 17 – 23
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 8. (Tues.) Dominick Farinacci. Trumpeter Farinacci’s debut U.S. CD, Lovers, Tales and Dances, announced the arrival of an impressive new young jazz artist. He makes one of his rare Southland appearances for one night only. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Dec. 8. (Tues.) Charles Lloyd, Joshua Redman,… Read More Picks of the Week: Dec. 7 – 13
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 9. (Mon.) Judy Wexler. Wexler’s briskly swinging vocal style finds a perfect match with the trio of organist Joe Bagg, guitarist Bruce Forman and drummer Devin Kelly. Charlie O’s. (818) 989-3110. – Nov. 10. (Tues.) Reginald Robinson. The MacArthur Genius award winning pianist performs solo ragtime pieces… Read More PIcks of the Week: Nov. 9 – 15
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 30 (Wed.) Otmaro Ruiz and John Belzaguy Duo. Expect a musically stirring encounter between Venezuela-born Ruiz’s rich textured, Latin-tnged piano and Belzaguy’s sturdy, rhythmically versatile bass. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9499. – Sept. 30. (Wed.) Bob Sheppard Quartet. W. Larry Koonse, guitar, Gabe Noel, bass and Joe LaBarbera,… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 28 – Oct. 4
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 18. (Tues.) John Altman Quartet. The English saxophonist/composer has a line of credits reaching from Monty Python to bebop (with all stops in between). And with pianist Mike Lang, bassist Harvey Newmark and drummer Frank De Vito on hand, he has the backing to support his every musical… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 18 – 23
The International Review of Music 