By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 21. (Tues.) Bob Mintzer Big Band. Saxophonist Mintzer is also a masterful big band arranger and composer. Expect fireworks from his assemblage of L.A.’s finest players. Click HERE to read an earlier review of the Mintzer Big Band. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Dec. 21. (Tues.) … Read More Picks of the Week: Dec. 21 – 26
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 31. (Tues.) The Karen Lovely Band. Rising vocal star Lovely is applying her powerful singing to classic blues, richly investing the styles of the ’30s and ’40s — Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, etc. — with her uniquely contemporary perspective. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Aug. 31.… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 30 – Sept. 5
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 27. (Tues.) and 29. (Thurs.) Heroic Beethoven. A pair of evenings overflowing with the splendor of Beethoven’s boundless imagination. Pianist David Fray plays the Piano Concerto No. 3. And Pablo Heras-Casado conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the Eroica Symphony No. 3. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000. –… Read More Picks of the Week: July 26 – August 1
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 26. (Mon.) Karen Marguth Quintet. Featuring Eva Scow, mandolin. Singer Marguth and mandolinist Scow have been producing some fascinating displays of briskly swinging voice and mandolin jazz. Hear them in the always friendly, laid-back setting of Charlie O’s. Charlie O’s. (919) 994-3058. – April 28. (Wed.) Kevin Eubanks… Read More Picks of the Week: April 26 – May 2
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 30. (Tues.) Ginger & Scott. Jackie Cain and Roy Kral? Not exactly, but Cain herself has described Ginger Berglund and Scott Whitfield as “a new duo who provide hope and inspiration.” Catalina Bar & Grill (323) 466-2210. – Mar. 31. (Wed.) Susan Krebs Jazz Aviary. Krebs and her… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 30 – April 4
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 30. (Mon.) Gala Opera Night. Demetra George and Ralph Cato perform “Villains and Heroines at the Opera,” selections from Puccini, Verdi and Strauss. Frank Fetta is music director. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Nov. 30. (Mon.) Slide FX Trombone Tentet. Not quite enough trombones to play “76… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 30 – Dec. 6
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 2. (Mon.) Gianni Russo. Russo, who played the role of Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather, hosts an entertaining evening featuring his vocal versions of songs from the Italian crooner era, as well as a collection of his Il Padrino Wines. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Nov. 4.… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 2 – 8.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 2. (Tues.) Drummer Willie Jones III’s band, with special guest pianist Eric Reed. A summit encounter between a pair of the Southland’s finest home-grown jazz artists. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. – June 2. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. Pisano trades licks with the fast-fingered, but ever-lyrical… Read More Picks of the Week: June 1 – 7
The International Review of Music 