By Don Heckman Hollywood, CA. Jazz vocalist Cat Conner‘s performance at Catalina Bar & Grill last week was clearly expected to be a special event, which is precisely how it turned out. It was, first of all, a release party for Cat’s new CD, appropriately titled Cat House. Add to that the fact that any… Read More Live Music: Cat Conner at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman Singer Cat Conner is one of the high visibility members of L.A.’s impressive assemblage of jazz vocal artists. She’s also another gifted Canadian jazz performer who’s brought her considerable jazz skills south of the border. All of which will be self-evident tonight when Cat offers her warm, luxurious voice, convincing musical story… Read More Pick of the Night in L.A.: Cat Conner at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman Jazz clubs come and go in most major cities. Los Angeles is no exception. The Jazz Bakery lost its home in Culver City in 2009. Charlie O’s in Van Nuys was shuttered in 2011. Both were vital homes for L.A.’s finest jazz artists and valuable destinations for jazz fans. This month, Upstairs… Read More Here, There & Everywhere: April Williams Resigns from Vitello’s
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 Los Angeles – Apri. 3. (Wed.) Bobby McFerrin. One of the music world’s most uniquely gifted vocal talents, applying his startling skills to a celebration of his father’s gospel singing in a program titled Spirit You All. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000. – April 3. (Wed.) Dave Damiani and the No Vacancy… Read More Picks of the Week: April 2 – 7
By Don Heckman Anyone who doubts the excitement, the imagination and the contemporary vitality of big band jazz should have been at Vitello’s last weekend. Over the course of Friday and Saturday nights, two stellar ensembles – the Bob Mintzer Big Band and the Bill Cunliffe Big Band – offered invigorating reminders of the still-potent… Read More Live Jazz: the Bob Mintzer and Bill Cunliffe Big Bands
By Don Heckman It’s no news that female singers have been arriving on the jazz scene in the past few decades with far greater frequency than males. Which makes it worth noticing when a male jazz singer with credentials as an instrumentalist makes an appearance. John Proulx isn’t exactly a new jazz artist, either as… Read More Live Jazz: John Proulx at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 14. (Tues.) Motley Crue. L.A.’s heavy metal stars of the eighties (and beyond) take over the vast expanse of the Bowl for a tour through the many hits that have made them rock icons. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2040. – June 15. (Wed.) Sachel Vasandani Quartet. At a… Read More Picks of the Week: June 14 – 19
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 5. (Tues.) Junko Onishi Trio. Japanese pianist Onishi confirms her return to jazz action last year after a performance break of nearly a decade. She kicks off her American tour tonight with the backing of the sterling rhythm team of bassist Dwayne Burno and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. Catalina… Read More Picks of the Week: April 5 – 10
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 28. (Tues.) Gerald Clayton Trio. Grammy nominated pianist Clayton has moved rapidly from being an upcoming L.A. prodigy to an emerging new jazz star. He’s based in New York City now, so don’t miss this fairly rare opportunity to hear him back in the Southland. Steamers. (714) 871-8800… Read More Picks of the Week: Dec. 28 – Jan. 2
The International Review of Music 