By James DeFrances Studio City, CA. The E-Spot lounge in Vitello’s restaurant was the site of the latest performance by baritone vocalist Bill A. Jones. Backed by the energetic jazz trio of pianist/arranger Paul McDonald, bassist Kirk Smith and drummer Steve Pemberton, Jones entertained the packed house last Saturday night in a way only he… Read More Live Music: Bill A. Jones at Vitello’s
By Jane Rosenberg In the magnetic opening sequence of Tania Pérez-Salas’s Ex-Stasis, a lone woman stands in a spotlight, long hair shrouding her face. Music erupts and, as a scattering of dancers recline on the stage, watching her intently, she begins her solitary dance. At first her movements appear to be simple rifts on Sixties’… Read More Dance at the Music Center Presents: Tania Pérez-Salas’s “Ex-Stasis” and “Made in Mexico” at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles
By Don Heckman Talent, Oregon. “Real Vocal String Quartet.” The words on the program guide seemed almost contradictory. What was it to be? One or the other? A vocal ensemble or a string quartet? But when the four gifted members of the Real Vocal String Quartet began their concert Sunday night in the performance room… Read More Live Music: The Real Vocal String Quartet in a Siskiyou Music Project Concert
Los Angeles. This coming season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center includes Mariinsky Ballet and Orchestra (October 8-11, 2015), the West Coast premiere of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Second City (November 6-8, 2015), The Music Center debut of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan (January 29-31, 2016), Complexions Contemporary Ballet (April… Read More THE MUSIC CENTER’S 2015-16 SEASON OF DANCE IN LOS ANGELES
By Don Heckman Los Angeles, California – April 24. (Fri.) Damien Rice. Highly praised Irish singer/songwriter Rice celebrates the release of his latest CD, My Favourite Faded Fantasy, already receiving rave international reviews. The Greek Theatre. (323) 665-5857. – April 24. (Fri.) Pete Christlieb Quartet. Saxophonist Christlieb has been a first call player… Read More Picks of the Weekend on the Left Coast
By Don Heckman – April 16. (Thurs.) The Mutter Bronfman Harrell Trio. Three international virtuosi – violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, pianist Yefim Bronfman and cellist Lynn Harrell – apply their remarkable skills to a program of classic piano trios: Beethoven’s Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97 “Archduke” and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio in A minor, Op.… Read More Highlights of the Long Weekend: In Los Angeles
By Jane Rosenberg With characterizations so vivid, musicianship so accomplished, and comedy so sublime that it raises the spirits, Los Angeles Opera’s The Barber of Seville is a triumph. The cast is splendid, from the smallest role to the knockout performance of Elizabeth DeShong’s Rosina. At every turn, this Barber delivered. From the opening chords… Read More Opera: Los Angeles Opera’s “The Barber of Seville”
By Don Heckman – Feb 27 & 28. (Fri. & Sat.) Stanley Clarke and Friends. Bassist Clarke’s “Friends” aren’t identified in the program for this gig. But Clarke, a world class artist with a stellar resume, can be counted on to surround himself with players capable of functioning at his Olympian jazz levels. In… Read More Highlights of the Weekend: In Los Angeles
By Don Heckman Ashland, Oregon. The utterly irresistible appeals of string quartet music returned to Southern Oregon University’s Music Recital Hall on Friday night and Saturday afternoon in another prime presentation by Chamber Music Concerts. The program was delivered by the extraordinarily gifted players of Vienna’s Hugo Wolf String Quartett. In the two hours of… Read More Live Chamber Music: The Hugo Wolf String Quartett at Southern Oregon University Music Recital Hall
By James DeFrances Los Angeles. Last Thursday at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. Caesar Jazz Balladeer caught the attention of clubbers in a new way. His angle on the standards was as unique as his proximity to Los Angeles. Only in town for Grammy festivities, Caesar – who lives in Rhode Isand – left his… Read More Live Music: Caesar Jazz Balladeer at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
The International Review of Music 