By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 12. (Fri.) Peter Frampton and Cheap Trick. A pair of rock icons turn up the juice when Grammy winner Frampton encounters the high voltage of Cheap Trick. Click HERE to read a previous iRoM review of Frampton in action. The Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857. – June 12. (Fri.)… Read More Picks of the West Coast Weekend: June 12 – 15
By Don Heckman Los Angeles. There was a full house, enthusiastic crowd in attendance Saturday night at Disney Hall for the KJAZZ benefit concert. As there should have been. The importance of FM radio station KJAZZ 88.1 to jazz fans cannot be under-estimated. I may not agree with the programming 100% of the time, but… Read More Live Jazz: The KJAZZ Summer Benefit Concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall
By Don Heckman Summer has arrived, with all its distractions, and many of the music venues — in the U.S., Europe and beyond — are either closed or booking with reduced schedules. But there’s still good music to be heard. Los Angeles – June 25. (Wed.) Annie Trousseau. Multi-lingual singer Trousseau is described in her… Read More Picks of the Week: June 24 – 29
The Most Exciting (Jazz?) Pianist On The Planet? By Norton Wright Hollywood CA. Has there ever been a jazz pianist like Jason Moran? Not Jarrett, Evans, Corea, Brubeck, Peterson — not even George Russell — not even Moran’s mentors, Jaki Byard and Thelonious Monk. As with Jackson Pollock in the visual arts, Jason Moran may… Read More Live Music: Jason Moran in a Jazz Bakery Movable Feast at the Musicians Institute
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 27. (Wed.) Willie Nelson & Family. The inimitable Willie Nelson performs his memorable hits with the musical companionship of his talented family members. Click HERE to read an earlier iRoM review of Willie Nelson and his Family. Valley Performing Arts Center. (818) 677-3000. = Feb. 27. (Wed.) Shofar.… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 26 – Mar. 3
Hagar’s Song (ECM Records) By Brian Arsenault For his 75th birthday, Charles Lloyd has released a most beautiful album, Hagar’s Song, with pianist Jason Moran. Stated simply, if you listen to many albums over many months you will not find beauty of this recording’s equal. Perhaps Lloyd has reached a point in his lengthy and… Read More CD Review: Charles Lloyd and Jason Moran — “Hagar’s Song”
By the iRoM Staff It’s a light schedule of activities as the Christmas and New Year celebrations wind down. But there’s still a lot of fine music to hear. Los Angeles – Jan. 3. (Thurs.) Louie Cruz Beltran. Louie Cruz is one of the Southland’s busiest musicians. And with good cause. This time he balances… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 2 – 6
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 23. (Fri.) Chuck Manning-John Daversa Quartet. Saxophonist Manning and trumpeter Daversa get together for an evening of adventurous improvisation. They’re backed by Pat Senatore, bass and Dick Weller, drums. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Nov. 23. (Fri.) Deana Martin. Yes, she’s Dean Martin’s daughter. But Deana has… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 21 – 25
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 21. (Tues.) Strunz & Farah. Two guitars together don’t get any more exciting than the high speed musical magic of long-time partners Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah. After more than three decades together, they’re still in rare form. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Feb. 22. (Wed.) “An… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 20 – 26
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 22. (Tues.) Anthony Wilson Quartet. Wilson’s skills reach well beyond his impressive guitar chops and into his primo abilities as a composer and arranger. Diana Krall’s been lucky to have him in her band for the last few years. Here he is in the spotlight. Vibrato Jazz Grill…etc.… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 22 – 27
The International Review of Music 