By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 14 & 15. (Tues. & Wed.) Michael Jackson the Immortal World Tour. Cirque du Soleil. The music and lyrics of Michael Jackson are the foundation for a show that “immerses audiences in Michael’s creative world and literally turns his signature moves upside down,” performed by the incomparable artists… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 14 – 19
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 21. (Tues.) Strunz & Farah. Two guitars together don’t get any more exciting than the high speed musical magic of long-time partners Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah. After more than three decades together, they’re still in rare form. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Feb. 22. (Wed.) “An… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 20 – 26
By Michael Katz Monterey, California. Sunday at Monterey began with a group of precocious teenagers and ended with an ageless octogenarian, concluding a festival that had highlights from every corner of the musical world. The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, MJF’s signature contribution to jazz education, is more than just a group of talented kids gathered… Read More Live Jazz: The 54th Monterey Jazz Festival — Sunday
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 18 (Wed.) Bill in Brazil. Grammy-winning pianist Bill Cunliffe, always unpredictable, displays his fascination with Brazilian music. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – May 18. (Wed.) John Proulx Trio. Pianist/singer Proulx mixes his crisp piano styings with the gentle vocals of his Chet Baker-inspired singing. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.… Read More Picks of the Week: May 17 – 22
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 22. (Tues.) Lisa McClowry. Eclectic singer McClowry –nominated for International Vocalist of the Year in the 2011 Wave Awards — ranges freely across pop, rock, jazz and folk boundary lines. She’ll be backed by a group that features guitarist/singer/Grammy winning songwriter Jim Peterik. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Mar.… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 22 – 27
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 22. (Tues.) Anthony Wilson Quartet. Wilson’s skills reach well beyond his impressive guitar chops and into his primo abilities as a composer and arranger. Diana Krall’s been lucky to have him in her band for the last few years. Here he is in the spotlight. Vibrato Jazz Grill…etc.… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 22 – 27
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 24. (Tues.) Sarah Chang. The gifted young violinist takes on the fascinating musical demands of the Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Leonard Slatkin, plays the Shostakovich Symphony No. 5. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000. – Aug. 24. (Tues.) Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. The… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 24 – 29
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 24. (Mon.) Sopranos and Strings. Brad Dechter and Roger Neumann, soprano saxophones, Graham Dechter and Jim Fox, guitars and Chuck Nenneker, bass. The instrumentation makes for an evening of intriguing sounds, enhanced by the father and son presence of Brad and Graham Dechter. Charlie O’s. (919) 994-3058. –… Read More Picks of the Week: May 24 – 30
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 12 & 13. (Mon. & Tues.) Miles Evans Band. Trumpeter Evans, named after Miles Davis, is the son of equally legendary arranger Gil Evans. His current mission, he says, is to explore, with his eight piece band, the music that had been planned for an Evans/Jimi Hendrix collaboration… Read More Picks of the Week: April 12 – 18
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 9. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. John Pisano trades riffs with Pat Kelley, who has transformed his Oklahoma roots into an amiable, highly personal guitar style. Ralph Humphrey, drums and John Belzaguy, bass, provide sturdy back-up. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Mar. 9. (Tues.) Bill Watrous and the San… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 8 – 14
The International Review of Music 