By Devon Wendell Many jazz aficionados like myself have been waiting for a live box set like this one for most of our lives and it’s finally here. Miles Davis At Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4 consists of 4 CDs featuring 20 years of Miles Davis performances (8 shows in total) showcasing Miles… Read More CD Review- Miles Davis At Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4 (Columbia/Legacy)
By Don Heckman Northridge, CA. Jimmy Cobb showed up at the Valley Performing Arts Center last night, leading his “So What Band.” If the title sounds odd, consider this: Cobb is the last surviving member of the late ‘50s recording session that produced Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, the best selling jazz recording of all… Read More Live Jazz: Jimmy Cobb’s “So What Band” at the Valley Performing Arts Centerrts
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 17. (Wed.) Corky Hale and special guest Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge perform selections from the Billie Holiday songbook. Pianist/harpist Hale, who accompanied Holiday in the ‘50s, is well qualified for the job. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. April 17. (Wed.) Julian Coryell. The son of fine… Read More Picks of the Week: April 17 – 21
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 21. (Tues.) McGegan conducts Haydn. Nicholas McGegan conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a program of Papa Haydn’s finest, including the Alleluia Symphony and the Drumroll Symphony. Add to that an appearance by the brilliant British trumpeter Alison Balsom performing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000. –… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 20 – 26
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 4. (Wed.) Barry Manilow and July 4 Fireworks Spectacular. A high energy celebration of the 4th. With one soaring Manilow hit after another, a lot of patriotic music from the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by Sarah Hicks. And the usual spectacular pyrotechnics. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2040. – July… Read More Picks of a Holiday Week: July 4 – 8
By Don Heckman There was a lot to like about the opening program in the 2012 jazz schedule Wednesday night at the Hollywood Bowl. Start with the fact that it was conceived as a tribute to Miles Davis. Add to that the simultaneous release of a commemorative Davis USPS stamp. And top it off with… Read More Live Jazz: A Celebration of Miles Davis at the Hollywood Bowl
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 27. (Wed.) A Celebration of Miles Davis. Herbie Hancock hosts a trio of Davis tributes: Miles’ Electric Band, Marcus Miller leading “Tutu Revisited” and Jimmy Cobb leading his “So What” band in “Kind of Blue.” Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000. – June 28. (Thurs.) Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Boz… Read More Picks of the Week: June 27 – July 1
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 26. (Wed.) Goran Bregovic Wedding and Funeral Orchestra. Sarajevo’s wildly eclectic bandleader Bregovic leads an orchestra that combines Roma gypsy music, a brass band, strings, a male choir, Bulgarian back-up singers and traces of rock into an inimitable evening of mind-bending music. Disney Hall. (323) 8502000. – Oct.… Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 24 – 30
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 21. (Tues.) Bob Mintzer Big Band. Saxophonist Mintzer is also a masterful big band arranger and composer. Expect fireworks from his assemblage of L.A.’s finest players. Click HERE to read an earlier review of the Mintzer Big Band. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Dec. 21. (Tues.) … Read More Picks of the Week: Dec. 21 – 26
By Don Heckman Call it a mixed blessing. The thought kept flickering through my mind Wednesday night at the Hollywood Bowl during a program titled, promisingly, “Miles Davis/Gil Evans: Still Ahead.” There was no faulting the premise: selections from Porgy and Bess, Sketches of Spain and Miles Ahead, the classic Davis/Evans musical partnerships of the… Read More Live Jazz at the Hollywood Bowl: Miles Davis/Gil Evans: Still Ahead
The International Review of Music 