By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 8. (Wed.) Jim Cox Trio. Pianist Cox has long been one of the Southland’s first call pianists and arrangers. Here he is, on his own, backed by bassist Domenic Genova and drummer John Ferraro. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Jan. 8 & 9. (Wed. & Thurs.) Laura Benanti. Tony… Read More Picks of the Week: January 8 – 12
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 16. (Wed.) Eloise Laws. A member of the musically prominent Laws family (Hubert, Ronnie and Debra among others) Eloise Laws makes a rare live performance in the Southland. Her warm and expressive vocals are backed by members of the Laws family and their talented friends. Catalina Bar &… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 15 – 20
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 Devon Wendell The Playboy Jazz Festival held its second Free Community Concert at The Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Mall yesterday, featuring two acts dedicated to the soul of fusion-jazz. The California weather was sunny and perfect and as the show’s emcee Pat Prescott (KTWV 94.7 The Wave) put it, this was a “Perfect Memorial… Read More Live Jazz : The Jeff Lorber Fusion and The Washington Prep High School Jazz Ensemble in the Playboy Jazz Festival’s Free Community Concert at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Mall.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 27 – Jan 1. (Tues. through Sunday) Jane Monheit. The beautiful Monheit gets an early start, ramping up all week to the big Saturday night New Year’s celebration. And what better way to bring in 2012 than by hearing her velvet voice and gentle swing delivering “Auld Lang… Read More Picks of the Week: Dec. 27 – Jan. 1
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 30. (Wed.) Sting. One of the iconic masters of popular song makes a rare Southland appearance as part of his extended, “Back To Bass” tour. The Wiltern. (877) 686-5366. – Nov. 30. (Wed.) The Ron McCurdy Collective. Trumpeter/educator McCurdy blends his soaring trumpet sounds with the lush harmonies… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 29 – Dec. 4
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 19 – 20. (Tues. – Wed.) Victor Wooten Band. Award winning bassist Wooten’s performances with the Bela Fleck Band have always been impressive feats of musical magic. Here he conjures up his own creative surprises. Catalina Bar & Grill (323) 466-2210. – Jan. 19. (Tues.) John Pisano Guitar… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 19 – 24
By Don Heckman Los Angeles ………………..HIGHLIGHT……………….. – Jan. 12. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. “A Tribute to Joe Pass” with Frank Potenza and many others. Pisano’s Tuesday night guitar jams have been one of the Southland’s most dependably engaging jazz gigs for years. Now Pisano – and his talented guests – are moving to Vitello’s,… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 11 – 17
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 28. (Tues.) The Trio: Terry Trotter, Peter Erskine, Chuck Berghofer. The label might seem a little prepossessive in some hands, but not with these guys, whose playing defines the notion of interactive musical intimacy. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058 http://www.charlieos.com. – April 29. (Wed.) Mitch Forman Trio, with Darek… Read More Picks of the Week: April 27 – May 3
The International Review of Music 