By Don Heckman Pasadena, CA. The warm months of summer always bring a luscious banquet of musical events, much of it presented in colorful outdoor venues. One of the best has begun to emerge in the performances of the Pasadena Pops Orchestra under the baton of Michael Feinstein, amid the gorgeous greenery of the L.A.… Read More Live Music: The Pasadena Pops at the L.A. Arboretum in “Hooray For Hollywood”
By Don Heckman The Hollywood Bowl and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Wilkins, offered another Hall of Fame, season-opening program Saturday night. And once again did it with the class and creativity that have characterized these annual events. I’ve been covering the season-opening nights at the Hollywood Bowl for years now and each… Read More Live Music: The 2014 Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl
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 Don Heckman Northridge, CA. One of the first times (and there were many) that I reviewed a Michael Feinstein performance was in 1991 for the Los Angeles Times. I described him then as a “reincarnation of a classic movie juvenile lead. Slicked-back Dick Powell hair, flashing Russ Columbo eyes, a smile that would charm… Read More Live Music: Michael Feinstein at the Valley Performing Arts Center
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 34 (Wed.) Sally Kellerman. Hot Lips herself, in action. But Sally’s a one of a kind vocalist, too, bringing interpretive magic to everything she sings. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Oct. 24. (Wed.) Gabriel Johnson. Emerging jazz trumpeter Johnson has been praised by Clint Eastwood and Chris Botti, and… Read More Picks of the Week – Oct. 24 – 28
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 18. (Wed.) The Chris Walden Big Band with special guest Tierney Sutton. Walden takes a break from his busy schedule of studio arranging and composing to lead his always dynamic big band. And it will be especially fascinating to hear the versatile Ms. Sutton singing in a setting… Read More Picks of the Week: July 18 – 22
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 26. (Tues.) Justo Almario Quartet. Saxophonist/flutist Almario is one of the Southland’s great jazz treasures, a player who moves convincingly across every jazz arena. Vibrato. (310) 474-9400. – July 27. (Wed.) Gladys Knight and James Ingram. The one and only Grammy-winning Empress of Soul shares the stage with… Read More Picks of the Week: July 25 – 31.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 1. (Tues.) Jules Day. The rising young jazz singer performs an evening of new, original music from her latest CD, Day Dreams. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. – Feb. 2. (Wed.) Teka and Aaron Serfaty. “Brazilian Jazz.” Guitarist/singer Teka and percussionist Serfaty team up with pianist Otmar… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. Feb. 1 – Feb. 6
Picks of the Week: Dec. 1 – 7. Television – Dec. 3. (Wed.) Grammy Nominations. The nominations for the 51stannual Grammy Awards will be announced on live, prime time television for the first time (with the usual three hour delay for the West Coast). L L Cool J and Taylor Swift will host the hour-long… Read More Picks of the Week Dec. 1 – 7: Grammy Noms, Eubanks, Botti, L.A. Phil, Barbieri, Feinstein, Keillor and More
The International Review of Music 