By Devon Wendell It’s hard to believe it’s that special time of year again. Yet another annual Playboy Jazz Festival has come and gone. And with it, memories of drunken conga lines, the smell of cheap weed in the summer air, and a plethora of musical acts ranging from actual jazz, r&b, rock, and even… Read More Live Jazz: Highlights From the 37th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival At The Hollywood Bowl.
By Devon Wendell On Saturday, June 13th; Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and young players from The Monk Institute Of Jazz Performance Ensemble will be performing at the 37th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival taking place Saturday and Sunday at The Hollywood Bowl. I recently had the amazing opportunity to interview Wayne Shorter on his upcoming performance… Read More Q&A: Wayne Shorter and Daniel Rotem At The Playboy Jazz Festival
By Don Heckman It’s a light, holiday week, with 100-plus temperatures here in L.A. But there’s still some very fine music to hear in various parts of the world. Los Angeles – Sept. 4 – 8. (Wed. – Sun.) The Roy Hargrove Quintet. Trumpeter Hargrove has appeared frequently with his big band lately. But this… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 4 – 8
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 12. (Wed.) Julian Coryell. He’s received an impressive guitar-playing legacy from his father, Larry Coryell. But Julian has thoroughly developed a creative style of his own. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – June 13. (Thurs.) Cindy Lauper. 30th Anniversary: She’s So Unusual Tour. The inimitable Cindy Lauper celebrates the anniversary… Read More Picks of the Week: June 12 – 16
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 17. (Wed.) Judy Carmichael Trio. Pianist/singer and all around dynamic entertainer Carmichael can bring a room to life with her powerful stride piano and deeply interpretive vocals. Click HERE to read a review of Carmichael in her last L.A. appearance. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Oct. 17. (Wed.) The… Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 16 – 21
By Michael Katz I told myself I had finally come to terms with the Playboy Jazz Festival. This year I would enjoy it for what it was: an eight hour party at the Hollywood Bowl, a sort of Bar Mitzvah/Quinceanera for grown-ups, with perhaps half of it (on a good day) dedicated to actual jazz,… Read More The Playboy Jazz Festival 2012: Saturday’s Program at the Hollywood Bowl
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 12. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. With Mundell Lowe and bassist Jim Hughart. Guitar Night’s always a pleasure, but here’s one not to miss – a pair of veteran jazz guitarists in action with the support of a fine bassist. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – July 13. (Wed.) Chris… Read More Picks of the Week: July 12 – 17
By Brian Arsenault The International Festival of Arts and Ideas has a clear and concise mission: “to create an internationally renowned festival in New Haven [Connecticut] of the highest quality with world-class artists, thinkers and leaders, attracting and engaging a broad and diverse audience celebrating and building community and advancing economic development.” The Festival has… Read More Q & A: Mary Lou Aleskie, Executive Director of the International Festival of Arts and Ideas
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 3. (Tues.) Leon Russell. One of the great iconic figures of the golden era of rock makes a rare local appearance in a relatively small venue. There’ll also be a special performance by Booker T. Jones. The El Rey. (323) 936-6400. – May 3. (Tues.) Emil Richards, Mike… Read More Picks of the Week: May 3 – 8
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
The International Review of Music 