By Don Heckman Sara Gazarek’s performance at Vitello’s Saturday night called up recollections of the first time I heard her in action. That was six years ago at The Vic in Santa Monica. In my Los Angeles Times review I wrote that “she may well turn out to be the next important jazz singer.” That… Read More Live Jazz: Sara Gazarek at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Once upon a time there was something called Third Stream. No one agreed on exactly what it was, but almost everyone had an opinion about it. The most common consensus was that Third Stream was a new kind of music, one that combined elements of jazz and classical music. Two streams blending… Read More Live Music: Billy Childs Jazz-Chamber Ensemble at Vitello’s
By Tony Gieske Billy Childs comes right out and admits it: He was inspired by Laura Nyro. He liked her collaboration with Alice Coltrane on Christmas and the Beads of Sweat. And so he formed the Jazz Chamber Ensemble, which also has at its nucleus, piano, acoustic guitar, and harp. A version of this he… Read More Live Jazz: The Billy Childs Jazz Chamber Ensemble at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 8. (Tues.) The John Daversa Progressive Big Band. Trumpeter/composer/arranger Daversa takes the big band instrumentation into fascinating new musical areas. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Feb. 8. (Tues.) Lianne Carroll. BBC Jazz Award winner Carroll, who accompanies her vibrant vocals with equally dynamic piano playing, makes her… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 8 – 14
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 8. (Tues.) Neil Sedaka. Hitmaker Sedaka showcases his memorable catalog of songs in a performance replacing a date cancelled in late October. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000. – Dec. 8. (Wed.) Carol Welsman Canadian-born Welsman has the rare ability to surround the supple timbres of her voice with an… Read More Picks of the Week: Dec. 7 – 12
By Tony Gieske I was thinking all night that nobody at Vitello’s could possibly deserve, much less grasp, all the wonders that Billy Childs and his ensemble were bestowing on us last Saturday. Childs was playing in his flawless and bounteous way on the piano, in front of which sat Larry Koonse, listening to him… Read More Live Jazz: The Billy Childs Jazz Chamber Ensemble at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman One of Denise Donatelli’s most unique characteristics as a jazz singer is her confident willingness to perform in complex musical settings with stellar jazz instrumentalists. Her new CD, When Lights Are Low, is a good example. Like her previous release, What Lies Within, it includes arrangements by Geoffrey Keezer that virtually translate… Read More Live Jazz: Denise Donatelli at Vitello’s
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 Los Angeles – July 6. (Tues.) Arturo Sandoval’s Big Band. The versatile Sandoval showcases his trumpet playing, piano playing, percussion and vocals in the company of a powerful large ensemble, Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – July 6. (Tues.) A Glorious Celebration. The Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale… Read More Picks of the Week: July 6 – 11
By Tony Gieske Eric Reed had stationed the grand piano at stage left at Vitello’s Saturday night so as to give his trio members equal exposure — Ralph Penland, the drummer, at stage right and Hamilton Price, his young bassist, in the middle, next to the keyboard. It was a little bit like a surgeon… Read More Live Jazz: The Eric Reed Trio at Vitello’s
The International Review of Music 