By Don Heckman Los Angeles has long been a center for world class jazz, dating back to the early 20th century. And Mark Winkler’s sparkling new album, The Company I keep, affirms that West Coast jazz, in all its splendid forms, is alive and well. It’s no surprise that singer/songwriter Winkler has produced another classic… Read More “The Company I Keep”: a new CD release by Mark Winkler
By Roger Crane Los Angeles. In 2013 jazz pianist, Keith Jarrett, who issued a series of albums that featured the standards, was asked “What do standards mean to you and why have you recorded so many?” Jarrett replied, “First of all, they are anything but standard by today’s standards. But they are exceptional.” These exceptional… Read More Live Music: The Great American Songbook is Alive and Well at Catalina Bar & Grill with Barbara Morrison, Stephanie Haynes and Jackie Ryan
By Don Heckman Los Angeles. Jackie Ryan made one of her far too rare Southland appearances on Saturday night. The program was a Jazz Bakery Movable Feast at the Musicians Institute featuring Ryan with the stellar backing of tenor saxophonist Rickey Woodard, pianist Tamir Hendelman, drummer Dean Koba and bassist Alex Frank. That’s an impressive… Read More Live Jazz: Jackie Ryan in a Jazz Bakery Movable Feast at the Musicians Institute
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 28. (Tues.) Guitar Night with John Pisano. Like all of John Pisano’s Guitar Nights, this week’s features a world class assemblage of players: in addition to Pisano, you’ll hear guitarist Barry Zweig, bassist Chris Conner and drummer Tim Pleasant. Viva Cantina. (818) 845-2425. ‘ – Oct. 28,. (Tues.)… Read More Picks of the Week: October 27 – November 2
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 1 (Mon.) Suze’s Birthday Fest. Susan Krebs celebrates her birthday in the creative company of Rich Eames, piano, Jerry Kalaf, drums and Tom Warrington, bass. Add to that the presence of special guests saxophonist Brian Scanlon and violinist Paul Cartwright. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – July 2. (Tues.) Carol… Read More Picks of the Week: July 1 – 7
By Don Heckman Studio City CA. Jackie Ryan’s appearance at Vitello’s Monday night was one of the most musically gripping performances of recent memory. Listening to her two extended sets of songs before an enthusiastic, packed house crowd, I found myself wishing that the entire evening had been videotaped. Why? In part for the pleasure… Read More Live Jazz: Jackie Ryan at Vitello’s
Three Queens, All Aces By Brian Arsenault This is a time of remarkable female jazz singers. So many who are so good. Undoubtedly changes in social mores have increased the pool of women willing to run the risks of being a jazz singer and the industry‘s willingness to accept them. But I think there’s more… Read More Record Rack: Tine Bruhn & Johnny O’Neal, Jackie Ryan and Karen Souza
By Don Heckman Jackie Ryan made one of her too-rare Southland appearances Thursday night. And it’s a fair bet that most of her entranced listeners left Vitello’s with the fervent hope that she’ll return, and soon. Why? Because Jackie is both musical and passionate. Because her rich, dark-toned voice is the perfect vehicle for her… Read More Live Jazz: Jackie Ryan at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 7. (Tues.) Yo Yo Ma and Gustavo Dudamel. Two of the most charismatic figures in today’s classical music world join with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to perform the Schumann Cello Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s electrifying Symphony No. 4. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000. – Aug. 8. (Wed.) Duke Ellington Orchestra. … Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 7 – 12
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 1. (Wed.) A Celtic Christmas. Irish Storyteller Tomaseen Foley creates a traditional night before Christmas, filled with dancing, music-making and holiday joy. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501. – Dec. 1. (Wed.) John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension. The ever-exploratory guitarist performs with a group reaching… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 30 – Dec. 5
The International Review of Music 