By Don Heckman With Summer arriving in all its glory, I thought it would be helpful to concentrate the Picks for this long, mid-June weekend on the rich array of music to be heard here in the Southland. – June 19. (Thurs.) Sally Kellerman. Sally’s back, and that’s great news for all fans of irresistible… Read More Picks of the Weekend in Los Angeles: June 19 – 22
By Don Heckman Studio City, CA. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. An evening of well prepared Italian food, fine wine and even finer music at Vitello’s is a great way to experience world class jazz. And this past weekend offered a superb opportunity to all that and more. On Friday night… Read More Here, There & Everywhere: A Weekend at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 8. (Fri.) Bill Holman Big Band. Holman’s music is always a pleasure to hear live. And this is an even better opportunity, since the band will be performing (on the first set only) its highly praised all-Thelonious Monk album, Brilliant Corners, in its entirety. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. –… Read More Picks of the Weekend: Nov. 8 – 10
Review by Michael Katz Photos by Bonnie Perkinson Hollywood CA. One happy problem with an eight hour music fest that runs uninterrupted through the shifting temperatures of a near-summer’s day at the Hollywood Bowl is a lineup so strong you don’t want to leave your seat. That was the occasion on Saturday, Day 1 of… Read More Live Jazz: The 35th Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Day #1
BY DON HECKMAN Call it an odd couple. Or maybe an odd quintet would be more accurate — an odd quintet consisting of fine musicians who, at first glance, would seem to make an unusual combination. Yet there they were Friday night, Upstairs at Vitello’s, playing for a crowd that seemed to be enjoying every… Read More Live Jazz: Les McCann, Lee Hartley and the Eric Reed Trio Upstairs at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 7. (Tues.) Chris Walden’s Big Band with Tierney Sutton. The combination of Walden’s well-crafted arrangements, a band full of L.A.’s finest players, and the superb musicality of Sutton’s vocals should make for a memorable, entertaining evening. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Sept. 9. (Thurs.) Music of the… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 7 – 12
by Devon Wendell It’s become harder and harder to discern whether what has been designated as a “Jazz Festival” is aimed at die hard jazz aficionados — studying each chord change and nuance — or those music lovers who just want to dance to more commercially infectious R&B grooves and have fun. This was certainly the case at the 32nd… Read More Live Jazz: The Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl (Further Thoughts)
By Don Heckman The 32nd Playboy Jazz Festival wrapped a long weekend of music yesterday with yet another program perfectly illustrating the qualities that make it one of the world’s most engaging celebrations: tradition, youth, stylistic range and global diversity. Bill Cosby, the Festival’s irrepressible master of ceremonies and the leader of his own Cos… Read More Live Jazz: The Playboy Jazz Festival, Saturday at the Hollywood Bowl
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 8. (Tues.) Guitar night with John Pisano. Tuesdays are always great nights for jazz when the veteran guitarist Pisano jams with some of his most gifted six string compatriots. This week, he exchanges riffs with busy studio guitarist Mike Anthony, backed by the solid bass support of Chris… Read More Picks of the Week: June 8 – 13
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 15. (Mon.) Keith Jarrett Solo. Jarrett’s solo performances — revelatory journeys through his ever imaginative musical mind — don’t take place very often. So don’t miss this rare opportunity. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000 – Mar. 16. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. Every Guitar Night is a winner, and… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 15 – 21
The International Review of Music 