By Norton Wright Los Angeles, CA. It was SHOWTIME at Disney Hall on Saturday night as Gordon Goodwin’s 18-piece Big Phat Band performed like an inextinguishable stick of dynamite, exploding number after number in its featured hour-long set marking KJazz Radio’s third annual benefit concert. The recipient of the 2015 GRAMMY Award for “Best Large… Read More Live Jazz: Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band At Walt Disney Concert Hall
By Don Heckman There were two guys named Chris on stage at the Hollywood Bowl Friday and Saturday nights. Despite their identical first names, their styles traced to very different genres. And despite those different sources, they both offered performances rich in musicality and compelling entertainment. Friday evening opened with the first Chris – jazz… Read More Live Music: Chris Botti and Chris Isaak at the Hollywood Bowl
By Don Heckman Hollywood, CA. George Benson’s tribute to Nat “King” Cole at the Hollywood Bowl Wednesday night was a major musical effort. He could have simply performed a program of Cole-related songs with a small group comparable to the classic Cole Trio. Instead, Benson and the L.A. Phil elected – as Cole occasionally did… Read More Live Music: George Benson Salutes Nat “King” Cole at the Hollywood Bowl
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 9. (Tues.) Michael Tilson-Thomas conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the Mahler Symphony No. 2. “Resurrection.” With soprano Kiera Duffy, mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000. – July 10. (Wed.) Queen Latifa. Roy Ayers. The 2013 jazz summer season at… Read More Picks of the Week: July 9 – 14
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 25. (Tues.) John Pisano Guitar Night features the always compelling playing of Anthony Wilson in the downstairs lounge. Upstairs, the jazz voices take over, with the Peter Eldridge Group and Dollison & Marsh’s Vertical Voices. Grammy nominated pianist Geoff Keezer provides his usual scintillating accompaniment. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 25 – 31
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 19 (Tues.) Robert Glasper Trio. More than most of his contemporaries, pianist Glasper has found ways to compatibly combine hip-hop, rock and r & b elements with his solid jazz skills. Catalina Bar & Grill. http://www.catalinajazzclub.com (323) 466-2210. – Oct. 19. (Tues.) Henry Franklin’s Big 70th Birthday Celebration. … Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 19 – 24
By Don Heckman Chris Botti’s traveling road show made its annual appearance at the Greek Theatre Saturday night. And the enthusiastic, near capacity crowd loved every minute of the two hour performance. And why shouldn’t they. Botti’s warm and engaging trumpet sound is one of the most appealing timbres on the contemporary jazz scene. He… Read More Live Jazz: Chris Botti at the Greek Theatre
By Devon Wendell As flocks of devoted Chris Botti fans scurried to find their seats at the Greek Theatre Thursday night, they were first greeted by 20 year old singer, Renee Olstead. Although she may be best known as a TV star — appearing as a regular on the CBS sitcom Still Standing, and other… Read More Live Jazz: Chris Botti, Renee Olstead and more at the Greek Theatre
The International Review of Music 