By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 6. (Wed.) Josh Nelson. The Music of the 60s’ Blue Note Albums. Pianist Nelson takes on some of the classic themes from the great Blue Note catalog. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Oct. 6. (Wed.) Carol Robbins Quartet. It’s an evening with many strings attached – from the rare… Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 4 – 10
By Michael Katz Sunday promised to be a scintillating day of music, with several can’t miss attractions at the Garden Stage sandwiched between the afternoon and evening programs at the other venues. The early afternoon shows are annually dedicated to student bands, from the high school vocal ensembles to the Cal State Northridge band. The… Read More Live Jazz: The 53rd ANNUAL MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL (Day 3)
By Don Heckman Don Menza picked the right players for his Stan Getz tribute at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. Tuesday night. The saxophone quartet of Menza, Pete Christlieb, Gary Foster (on tenors) and Gene Cipriano (on baritone) brought plenty of experience, skill and Getz-knowledge to the proceedings. Trumpeter Don Rader added some cool contrast, and the… Read More Live Jazz: Don Menza’s Stan Getz Tribute at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
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 – May 11. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night . Larry Koonse, the guitarist who can play almost anything, takes a break from making everyone else sound great, and steps onto center stage alongside Steve Cardenas. Vitello’s. http://www.vitellosrestaurant.com (818) 769-0905. – May 12. (Wed.) Chuck Berghofer’s Midnight Jazz Band. Featuring Gary… Read More Picks of the Week: May 10 – 16
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 16. (Tues.) Rickie Lee Jones. Her latest album, Balm in Gilead, affirmed that Jones is still a vital and imaginative singer and songwriter. She’ll be performing selections from that CD as well as material from her long, productive career. Vista Theatre, 4473 Sunset Blvd., L.A. (323) 660-6639. –… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 16 – 21
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 21 – 23. (Mon. – Wed.) Lady Gaga. Performance as pop art reaches a new level in Lady Gaga’s ‘The Monster Ball’ — a multimedia artistic experience she describes as the first-ever ‘pop electro opera.’ Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE. (213) 763-6030. – Dec. 22. (Tues.) Marilyn King. Still… Read More Picks of the Week: Dec. 21 – 27
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 1. (Tues.) Herb Alpert and Lani Hall. Trumpeter Alpert and vocalist Hall discuss their remarkable careers (individually and as a couple) and offer a few of the new slants on standards that make up the program in their impressive new live CD, “Anything Goes.” Grammy Museum. – Sept.… Read More Picks of the Week: September 1 – 6
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 4. (Tues.) Chuck Berghofer’s Midnight Jazz Band. Whenever bassist Berghofer steps into the leader’s role, you can count on the fact that he’ll be surrounded by world class players. And the Midnight band is no exception, with Gary Foster on alto sax, Tom Ranier on piano and Joe… Read More Picks of the Week: August 3 – 9
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 3. (Tues.) Dominick Farinacci. The much-heralded young trumpet prodigy has just released his first album, “Lovers, Tales & Dances.” Already a featured performer at Lincoln Center, where he has studied with Wynton Marsalis, the 25 year old Julliard graduate has the chops, the imagination and the presence to… Read More Picks of the Week: March 2 – 8
The International Review of Music 