By Don Heckman Johnny Mandel was at Vitello’s again Saturday night, leading a big band at the venue for the third time in a year. Despite the familiarity of the music – or, perhaps, because of it — one couldn’t ask for better evidence of the long term quality of his achievements, as a composer,… Read More Live Jazz: The Johnny Mandel Big Band
By Norton Wright New to the L.A. jazz scene is the all-singing, intensely swinging, dynamic duo of “Bonnie & Bill.” That’s Grammy-nominated Bonnie Bowden and songster Bill Jones of Fox TV’s Glee staging their own jazz show of over 20 songs backed by Pat Longo’s Hollywood Big Band last weekend at the Leisure Village Auditorium… Read More Live Jazz: Bonnie Bowden and Bill Jones at Leisure Village, Camarillo
By Don Heckman Los Angeles -June 30. (Wed.) Sally Kellerman. Hot Lips is back. And, as convincing as she was in M*A*S*H, she’s even more so as a singer, crafting tunes simmering with traces of jazz, folk, soul and country. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – June 30. (Wed.) Open Hands. One of the Southland’s authentic all-star… Read More Picks of the Week: June 29 – July 4
By Devon Wendell On Sunday afternoon and evening, the 2009 Playboy Jazz Festival held its third community concert, free to the public, at Warner Central Park in Woodland Hills. And the festivities began early with a short, but diverse set from the talented young jazz players of the El Camino High School Jazz Band. Among… Read More Live Jazz: Playboy Jazz Free Concert — Diane Schuur, Ed Shaughnessy and Susie Hansen
By Devon Wendell The 31st annual Playboy Jazz Festival kicked off its 2009 festivities Sunday afternoon with a free outdoor concert at The Beverly Hills Civic center. The program was an entertaining study in jazz diversity. Opening the performance — Bonesoir, led by veteran trombonist Maurice Spears. Some may think it’s impossible to utilize five… Read More Live Jazz: The Playboy Jazz Festival at the Beverly Hills Civic Center with Bonesoir and Johnny Polanco
The International Review of Music 