By Don Heckman Hollywood, CA. The 2014 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition came to a dramatic conclusion Sunday night in a All-Star Gala event at Dolby Hall in Hollywood. This year, the Competition was for trumpet players. And the three finalists each offered a display of their considerable skills in a setting that allowed each… Read More Live Music: The Thelonious Monk 2014 International Jazz Competition Gala
By Don Heckman Electricity and internet problems in iRoM land prevented the posting of a full week of International Picks. But now we finally have enough power and web access to list some Picks of the Weekend here in L.A. Next week, Picks of the Week will be back on track with our global overview.… Read More Picks of the Weekend: May 3 – 5 in Los Angeles
By Don Heckman It’s been a few years since I first reviewed jazz singer Charmaine Clamor. I was powerfully impressed by what I heard on her debut CD, Searching For the Soul.. And I was even more impressed by what I heard in her performance at Catalina Bar & Grill on Sunday night. The presentation… Read More Live Jazz: Charmaine Clamor at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 6. (Wed.) Sally Kellerman. The inimitable Ms. Kellerman is back, this time with an evening of Valentine’s Day songs in a program titled, appropriately, “Love.” Don’t miss it. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Feb. 7 – 10. (Thurs. – Sun.) Robben Ford. Guitarist Ford, who moves easily across boundaries… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 5 – 10
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 22. (Tues.) Kathleen Grace Group. Singer Grace, a true musical adventurer, combines the folk-based methods of the ‘70s singer songwriters with her jazz roots in her new album, Mirror. Blue Whale. (213) 620-0908 – May 22. (Tues.) Otmaro Ruiz/Aaron Serfaty Quartet. Versatile pianist Ruiz and drummer Serfaty –… Read More Picks of the Week: May 22 – 27
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 11. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. It’s a Los Angeles jazz institution, combining veteran guitarist Pisano with some of the Southland’s (and the world’s) finest guitarists. This week, he’s trading riffs with Pat Kelley. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Oct. 11 – 13. (Tues. – Thurs.) HIT Week. Italian… Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 11 – 16
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 27. (Tuesday) Opening Night Gala at Disney Hall. The new season kicks off with a performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, performed by the stellar combination of Herbie Hancock, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. Also on the program, An American in Paris and the… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 26 – Oct. 2
By Michael Katz This is the time of year when Monterey Jazz Festival diehards pour over the newly released lineup, plotting strategy for seeing as many of the 500 + artists spread over six venues as humanly possible. This year’s 54th Monterey Jazz Festival, September 16-18, promises to be one of the best. To begin… Read More News/Preview: The 54th Monterey Jazz Festival
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 19. (Tues.) Dave Damiani Orchestra. Singer Damiani celebrates the Swing Era and the songs of Frank Sinatra. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. . – April 19. (Tues.) Steve Huffsteter Big Band. Trumpeter Huffsteter steps out of the section to lead his own collective of all-stars. Vibrato Grill… Read More Picks of the Week: April 19 – 24
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 1. (Tues.) Alan Bergman. It’s always fun to hear a songwriter perform his own songs. But it’s even better when the songwriter is also a singer with a richly nuanced interpretative style. In Bergman, you get all that and more. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. http://www.vibratogrilljazz.com – Mar.… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 1 – 6
The International Review of Music 