By James DeFrancis Bel Air, CA. Last Tuesday night Pat Senatore, artistic director of Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz etc…, sardonically told me, “Christmas week is a big time for malls, not jazz clubs.” But as the lights dimmed and I looked around the room it occurred to me that something was altogether different about… Read More Live Music: Freda Payne at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 15. (Mon.) L.A. Jazz Orchestra Unlimited. With Kenny Burrell. Guitarist/educator Burrell leads an aggregation of some of the Southland’s fine big band players. Catalina Bar & Grill. (223) 466-2210. – July 16. (Tues.) Nora Rothman. With an appealing vocal style, young jazz artist Rothman offers what she describes… Read More Picks of the Week: July 15 – 21
By Don Heckman Los Angeles * * * * * * HIGHLIGHT * * * * * * The 34th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival: Saturday and Sunday, June 16 & 17 The Playboy Jazz Festival umbrella seems to get bigger year by year. And this year is no exception, with a program that reaches into… Read More Picks of the Week: June 12 – 17
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 12. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. With Mundell Lowe and bassist Jim Hughart. Guitar Night’s always a pleasure, but here’s one not to miss – a pair of veteran jazz guitarists in action with the support of a fine bassist. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – July 13. (Wed.) Chris… Read More Picks of the Week: July 12 – 17
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 7. (Tues.) Chris Walden’s Big Band with Tierney Sutton. The combination of Walden’s well-crafted arrangements, a band full of L.A.’s finest players, and the superb musicality of Sutton’s vocals should make for a memorable, entertaining evening. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Sept. 9. (Thurs.) Music of the… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 7 – 12
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 23. (Tues.) Christopher Cross. Multiple Grammy Award-winning composer Cross hits include “Sailing,” “Ride Like the Wind” and “Never Be the Same.” Vibrato. (310) 474-9400. – Mar. 24. (Wed.) Ray Davies. After the success of last Fall’s CD, The Kinks Choral Collection, Davies – one of the founders of… Read More Picks of the Week: March 23 – 28
By Devon Wendell The pure and joyful celebration of the life that exists in the blues was the central element of a most special performance for Barbara Morrison’s 60th birthday Saturday at the Ford Amphitheatre, when she was joined by a wide array of artists from the world of jazz, blues, and soul. After a… Read More Live Jazz: Barbara Morrison’s 60th Birthday Celebration at the Ford Amphitheatre
The International Review of Music 