By Don Heckman Studio City, CA. On any given night in Los Angeles, world class jazz can be found in venues stretching from Orange County to Ventura County, with many stops in between. And Saturday night was no exception, when the prime quartet of saxophonist Bob Sheppard and pianist Otmaro Ruiz (with bassist John Belzaguy… Read More Live Jazz: the Bob Sheppard/Otmaro Ruiz Quartet at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 20. (Wed.) Jane Harvey. The remarkable Jane Harvey’s career dates back to gigs with Benny Goodman in the ‘40s. Now well into her ‘80s she continues to draw critical raves for her performances. Click HERE to read a recent iRoM review of a Harvey appearance. Catalina Bar… Read More Picks of the Week: June 20 – 24
By Don Heckman On the road. It’s the one experience that is common to every musician – jazz, country, classical, rock, rap, you name it. It’s almost impossible to have a career making music without having to pack a suitcase and climb into a car, a bus, a train, a boat or a plane. That… Read More Live Jazz: Carol Welsman at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 25. (Wed.) The Jazz and Blues Review. Featuring Courtney Lemmon, Gina Saputo and Dianne Wright. Backed by the George Kahn Quintet. They’ve been called “a journey through blues and jazz, from New York to Los Angeles, from the Andrews Sisters to the Pointer Sisters at the intersection of… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 24 – 29
By Don Heckman Singer Patty Peterson made one of her rare Southland appearances Wednesday night at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. in Bel Air. And, not surprisingly, the broad vowel sounds of Minnesota-speak were heard throughout the enthusiasic audience. Why? Because the tall, raven-haired Peterson belongs to Minneapolis’s First Family of Music, whose various siblings, cousins and… Read More Live Jazz: Patty Peterson at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 26. (Tues.) Justo Almario Quartet. Saxophonist/flutist Almario is one of the Southland’s great jazz treasures, a player who moves convincingly across every jazz arena. Vibrato. (310) 474-9400. – July 27. (Wed.) Gladys Knight and James Ingram. The one and only Grammy-winning Empress of Soul shares the stage with… Read More Picks of the Week: July 25 – 31.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles Nov. 22. (Mon.) Judy Wolman’s Thanksgiving Sing-a-long. Great American Songbook. Here’s a chance to be thankful for Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Rodgers & Hart, etc. While having a lot more fun singing than you ever could in the shower. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Nov. 23. (Tues.) Jimmy Branley Quartet. Drummer… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 22 – 28
By Don Heckman Believability is one of the most vital elements in the convincing singing of songs. And one that’s too often overlooked or forgotten — both by singers and by listeners. Believability, that is, in the sense that a song is a form of musical storytelling, with a beginning, a middle and an end. … Read More LIve Jazz: Carol Welsman 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
The International Review of Music 