By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 8. (Tues.) Rick Braun Sings. Trumpeter Rick Braun, a high visibility instrumentalist in the smooth jazz arena, displays his engaging vocal skills on his latest album, the appropriately titled Rick Braun Sings With Strings. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Nov. 9. (Wed.) Phil Norman Tentet CD release party. The… Read More Picks of the Week Nov. 8 – 13
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 15. (Tues.) Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. The JLCO under Marsalis has firmly established itself as the definitive jazz repertory big band, performing programs that keep the spirit of large ensemble jazz – from Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson to the present – alive and… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 15 – 20
By Tony Gieske Not to dis the Baked Potato, but listening to that great John Daversa big band at Vibrato Tuesday was a revelation to the ear compared to what he sounded like in the venerable but cramped Studio City venue that has been his home. On the swifter numbers from the Daversa pen, such… Read More Live Jazz: The John Daversa Big Band at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 11. (Tues.) John Pisano Guitar Night. The first anniversary of Guitar Night at Vitello’s will feature a stellar collection of L.A.’s finest six-stringers. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Jan. 13. (Thurs.) Henry Franklin Quartet. Bassist Franklin, known to all as “The Skipper,” celebrates the release of his CD, The… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 11 – 16
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 8. (Tues.) Neil Sedaka. Hitmaker Sedaka showcases his memorable catalog of songs in a performance replacing a date cancelled in late October. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000. – Dec. 8. (Wed.) Carol Welsman Canadian-born Welsman has the rare ability to surround the supple timbres of her voice with an… Read More Picks of the Week: Dec. 7 – 12
By Tony Gieske When the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra starts a set, John Clayton likes to have it sound a strong — never loud — chord that is shockingly lovely and foreshadows the rich and sonorous banquet of sound that is about to be served up. This he did at Vibrato Tuesday, and the night… Read More Live Jazz: The Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 25. (Mon.) The Saxtet. A cluster of L.A.’s finest jazz saxophonists get together. Dave Angel, Gene Cipriano, Phil Feather, Roger Neumann, Bob Carr, Dave Koonse, Kendall Kay. Charlie O’s. (818) 989-3110. – Jan. 25. (Mon.) Larry Goldings Organ Night. It’s boogaloo night this time, with a dance floor… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 25 – Jan. 31
Los Angeles – Jan. 26. (Mon.) Remembering Russ Freeman. A long overdue remembrance of the bop-driven pianist/composer who was so vital to the West Coast jazz of Art Pepper, Shorty Rogers, Shelly Manne and others. Featuring trumpeter Bobby Shew, vocalist Tyia Wilson and a string ensemble performing Nathan Tanoue‘s new arrangements of Freeman works. Jazz… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 26 – Feb. 1
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 9. (Tues.) Green Umbrella: Stockhausen and the Music of the Future. The Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group performs the music of composers who began to transform the classical music scene in the ’50s and ’60s: Luciano Berio (Sequenza V); John Cage (excerpts from Sonatas and Interludes); Karlheinz… Read More Picks of the Week Dec 8-14: Shorter, Golson, Claytons, Douglas, Haynes, Tyner and more
The International Review of Music 