Photos by Bob Barry and Faith Frenz Studio City, CA. Singer Lyn Stanley’s first creative expression was ballroom dancing. And she did it so well that she won three events and two national titles in ballroom competitions in 2010. But her affection for, and expertise in dancing were always intimately connected to her equally passionate… Read More Photo Review: Lyn Stanley at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Studio City, CA. When I first heard that Tierney Sutton was appearing at Vitello’s Thursday night, singing a program of Joni Mitchell songs, I knew it would be a performance not to be missed. The connections between Mitchell and the world of jazz and jazz players has had considerable longevity – from… Read More Live Music: Tierney Sutton at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Singers Mark Winkler and Dolores Scozzesi were the headliners at Vitello’s Friday night. And that was good news, since both are among L.A.’s most appealing jazz-oriented singers. But the evening promised even more with a sub-headline announcing that they would be singing songs by “Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman: The Great… Read More Live Music: Mark Winkler and Dolores Scozzesi at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Studio City, CA. The stage setting for Cheryl Bentyne’s performance at Vitello’s Friday night seemed surprisingly spare. An acoustic bass and a music stand on the left, a pair of guitars and a music stand on the right, and a stool and a vocal mic in the middle. That was it. “Up… Read More Live Jazz: Cheryl Bentyne at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Bel Air, CA. Alan Bergman made one of his too-rare club appearances Wednesday night in an utterly captivating performance at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. It’s always a pleasure to hear songwriters do their own music. And even more fascinating when the songwriter is as fine a performing artist as Bergman. In… Read More Live Music: Alan Bergman at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 25. (Wed.) The Jazz and Blues Review. Featuring Courtney Lemmon, Gina Saputo and Dianne Wright. Backed by the George Kahn Quintet. They’ve been called “a journey through blues and jazz, from New York to Los Angeles, from the Andrews Sisters to the Pointer Sisters at the intersection of… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 24 – 29
By Don Heckman A Tierney Sutton performance is always a musical adventure, filled with unexpected twists and turns. Blessed with a warm, pliable voice and a probing musical imagination, she has enhanced her creative explorations by creating a close artistic (and business) relationship with the members of her Tierney Sutton Band – pianist Christian Jacob,… Read More Live Jazz: The Tierney Sutton Band at Catalina Bar & Grill
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 Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 9. (Tues.) George Cables Trio. Pianist Cables doesn’t make a lot of L.A. club appearances, so don’t miss this opportunity to hear the veteran artist in action. He’ll be backed by Pat Senatore and Joe LaBarbera. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Aug. 9. (Tues.) Jennifer Leitham. It’s… Read More PIcks of the Week: Aug. 9 – 14
By Don Heckman Los Angeles July 20. (Wed.) John Daversa Big Band. Trumpeter Daversa’s adventurous, often unpredictable charts make his big band appearances into engaging musical events. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. – June 21. (Thurs.) Bruce Forman Quartet. Guitarist/educator/novelist Forman is one of the jazz world’s true multi-hyphenates. Here he is, with his… Read More Picks of the Week: July 19 – 24
The International Review of Music 