Picks of the Weekend: June 5 – 7 in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, London, Paris and Milan

By Don Heckman Los Angeles June 5. (Fri.) Eddie Daniels and Roger Kellaway. The clarinet hasn’t been one of the lead jazz instruments since before the bebop era. But when it’s in the masterful hands of Eddie Daniels, lucky listeners have a chance to hear the full potential of the instrument that Mozart loved so… Read More Picks of the Weekend: June 5 – 7 in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, London, Paris and Milan

Picks of the Week: Nov. 21 – 25

By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 23. (Fri.)  Chuck Manning-John Daversa Quartet.  Saxophonist Manning and trumpeter Daversa get together for an evening of adventurous improvisation.  They’re backed by Pat Senatore, bass and Dick Weller, drums.  Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.  (310) 474-9400. – Nov. 23. (Fri.)  Deana Martin.  Yes, she’s Dean Martin’s daughter.  But Deana has… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 21 – 25

Picks of the Week: Nov. 22 – 27

By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 22. (Tues.) Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Trey McIntyre Project. New Orleans roots, at their most convincing authenticity are delivered by the Preservation Hall players in a fascinating collaboration with the entrancing choreography of the McIntyre Project’s modern dance.  Disney Hall. 638 (323) 850-2000. – Nov. 22.… Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 22 – 27

Q & A: Maria Schneider at the Ojai Music Festival

By Don Heckman Maria Schneider, composer, bandleader, and avid birdwatcher, has followed one of the jazz world’s most unique creative pathways since she arrived in New York, fresh out of college, in the mid-‘80s.  Although she studied and worked closely with Gil Evans, her composition style, from the beginning, has been her own.  For years,… Read More Q & A: Maria Schneider at the Ojai Music Festival

Live Jazz: Brad Mehldau and Friends at Walt Disney Concert Hall

By Michael Katz Pianist Brad Mehldau brought an estimable quintet to Disney Hall Friday night to perform compositions from his Night Rider album, backed by a chamber orchestra conducted by Scott Yoo. The combination of jazz and orchestra always presents challenges to both musicians and audience, as traditional soloing and interplay within a small group… Read More Live Jazz: Brad Mehldau and Friends at Walt Disney Concert Hall

Live Jazz: The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra at Royce Hall

By Don Heckman The mission of the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is “perpetuating the uniquely American genre of symphonic jazz.”  There’s no disputing the desirability of that goal, and Saturday night’s concert at Royce Hall was clearly intended as a display of the Orchestra’s current achievements toward that end. The program began promisingly, with co-Music Director… Read More Live Jazz: The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra at Royce Hall