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 – April 29. (Tues.) Nouveau Stride. Lorraine Feather and Stephanie Trick. Singer/songwriter Feather and stride pianist Trick combine their considerable talents for an evening inspired by the music of Fats Waller, James P. Johnson and Dick Hyman. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – April 29. (Tues.) Chamber Music Society: All… Read More More Picks of the Week: April 30 – May 4
By Don Heckman There were only two musicians on stage Saturday night in a CAP UCLA performance at the University’s cozy Schoenberg Hall. But no more were needed. The musical encounter between pianist Fred Hersch and guitarist Julian Lage offered a definitive display of jazz improvisation at its finest. Hersch’s long, musically rich career has… Read More Live Jazz: Fred Hersch and Julian Lage at UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – March 6. (Thurs.) Betty Bryant. Singer/pianist Bryant’s engaging style recalls an era of briskly swinging, warmly interpretive jazz cabaret. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – March 7. (Fri.) Savion Glover’s StePz. Tap dancer Glover has brought more jazz qualities to contemporary tap dancing than anyone since Fred Astaire. Valley… Read More Picks of the Week: March 5 – 9
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 13 – 15. (Fri. – Sun.) Mike Stern Quartet. Guitarist Stern moves convincingly across jazz styles with ease. And he’s backed by a band – featuring Randy Brecker, Anthony Jackson and Dave Weckl – that is equally versatile – and swinging. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. –… Read More Picks of the Weekend: December 13 – 15
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 23. (Tues.) The Postal Service. The electropop band – featuring Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello – celebrate their 10th anniversary. Greek Theatre (323) 665-5857. – July 24. (Wed.) Dave Damiani and the No Nonsense Orchestra. Vocalist and leader Damiani sings with the colorful sounds and swinging rhythms of… Read More Picks of the Week: July 23 – 28.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept 19. (Wed.) Catharine Russell. Her resume includes gigs and recordings with the likes of Paul Simon, Steely Dan, David Bowie, Michael Feinstein. But she’s very much the “real thing” according to critic Nat Hentoff. And why not? Her father, pianist Luis Russell, was Louis Armstrong’s music director. Catalina… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 18 – 23
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 22. (Tues.) Kathleen Grace Group. Singer Grace, a true musical adventurer, combines the folk-based methods of the ‘70s singer songwriters with her jazz roots in her new album, Mirror. Blue Whale. (213) 620-0908 – May 22. (Tues.) Otmaro Ruiz/Aaron Serfaty Quartet. Versatile pianist Ruiz and drummer Serfaty –… Read More Picks of the Week: May 22 – 27
By Don Heckman The 2012 Grammys are in, and once again there’s not much sound of surprise in the results. Certainly nothing in the same ballpark as last year’s Best New Artist award for Esperanza Spalding. That’s not to say that any of the wins were undeserved. Because they all were the products of gifted… Read More Here, There & Everywhere: The 2012 Jazz Grammy Winners
By Don Heckman Los Angeles July 20. (Wed.) John Daversa Big Band. Trumpeter Daversa’s adventurous, often unpredictable charts make his big band appearances into engaging musical events. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. – June 21. (Thurs.) Bruce Forman Quartet. Guitarist/educator/novelist Forman is one of the jazz world’s true multi-hyphenates. Here he is, with his… Read More Picks of the Week: July 19 – 24
The International Review of Music 