by Faith Frenz Singers need words and music. But arrangements are the secret to a good song and what distinguishes the singer. A good example is Sinatra and Nelson Riddle. Catalina –the Doyen of jazz for LA — has always welcomed and supported the jazz community to help showcase their aspirations and satisfy the Los… Read More CD Release: Sylvia Brooks “The Arrangement” at Catalina Jazz Club, June 7
By Jane Rosenberg In a program that succeeded artistically, intellectually, and politically, Alvin Ailey’s American Dance Theater offered an evening both challenging and joyful, with works ranging from Ailey’s 1960 masterpiece, Revelations, to Hope Boykin’s involving and evocative 2016 r-Evolution, Dream. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches and sermons, Hope Boykin, a longtime… Read More Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles
By Jane Rosenberg Verdi’s Macbeth, interpreted by a consummate conductor and orchestra with magnificent singing from the chorus and principals, made for a powerful night of opera and a brilliant opener to LA Opera’s 2016-17 season. With a narrative rife with the evil machinations of that tortured pair of king-slayers, Lord and Lady Macbeth, Verdi… Read More LA Opera Presents Verdi’s “Macbeth” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
By Don Heckman So many artists, so many dreams…so much to hear…The post office box fills every day with envelopes packaging their songs, their music, their dreams of being heard. Since the advent of social media, DIY recording and CD production,CD Baby and self promotion and distribution, the avalanche of requests to be seen and… Read More CD Review: Jonathan Karrant’s “On and On”
By Don Heckman It was a real pleasure to return to Vitello’s Saturday night, after spending more than a year in Oregon, away from one of our favorite music rooms. Since our return, the E Spot Lounge is a considerably remodeled version of the original venue. But no problem there. Although the stage has been… Read More Notes From the Left Coast: Judy Wexler at Vitello’s E Spot Lounge
By Don Heckman The Gardenia, Tom Rolla’s cozy Hollywood cabaret club can always be counted on to provide a captivating evening of music. And Nancy Dussault’s performance Friday night did all that and a lot more. The versatile, Tony Award-nominated Dussault’s far-ranging musical theatre career reaches from The Sound of Music and Do Re Mi… Read More Notes From the Left Coast: Nancy Dussault at The Gardenia
By Don Heckman Bel Air, CA. “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere.” The line kept coming to mind Tuesday night at Herb Alpert’s elegant restaurant and jazz club Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc, while we were listening to singer James DeFrances. No, not because DeFrances was thinking – or even singing – about… Read More Live Music: James DeFrances at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
By Don Heckman The week between Christmas and New Year’s is always light on performances. And this week is no exception. But numerous events, nonetheless, are well worthy of listeners’ attention. Here’s a selective group of some of the many highlights. Los Angeles – Dec. 26. (Thurs.) Robert Davi. Actor/singer Davi has thoroughly established himself… Read More Picks of the Week: Dec. 26 – 29
By Jane Rosenberg Without snow drifts, fir and spruce trees, or chilling temperatures, we, in Los Angeles, must make do with a Christmas season of brilliant sunshine, swaying palms, and stately cypresses. Happily, we have the Los Angeles Ballet to bring us a taste of the holiday with their annual Nutcracker. With charming costumes by… Read More Ballet: Los Angeles Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” at Royce Hall
By Don Heckman The room was filled with an enthusiastic crowd at Catalina Bar & Grill Friday night for the 9th Annual Filipino American Jazz & World Music Festival. And with good reason. A long sequence of performances in the Festival once again underscored both the quality and the quantity of first rate Filipino and… Read More Live Jazz and World Music: the 9th Annual Filipino American Jazz & World Music Festival at Catalina Bar & Grill.
The International Review of Music 