“How Long Has This Been Going On?” By Roger Crane, the Song Scout BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION “How Long Has This Been Going On?” is an early song (1927) composed by the Gershwin brothers that expresses the delight of a first kiss. George was blessed to have a brother who was a… Read More Keeping the GAS (Great American Songbook) Flame Burning
By James DeFrances Hollywood. The holiday season was in full swing Thursday night at Catalina’s Jazz Club in Hollywood with some good old fashioned yuletide cheer. 4-time Grammy nominee singer-pianist Karrin Allyson took center stage to entertain the eager crowd. Her show was a bit of a departure from a typical straight ahead jazz event… Read More Live Jazz: Karrin Allyson at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 27. (Mon.) Jason Marsalis Quartet. He may be the youngest member of the illustrious Marsalis jazz family, but drummer/vibraphonist Jason has already established his own impressive musical identity. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. – Aug. 28 & Aug. 30/ (Tues. & Thurs.) Carmina Burana. German composer Carl… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 27 – Sept. 2
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 4. (Wed.) Kris Bowers. 22 year old pianist Bowers, a graduate student at Julliard, was the winner of the Thelonious Monk Piano Competition in 2011.) Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. – Jan. 5. (Thurs.) Jon Mayer Quintet. Veteran pianist Mayer, whose resume includes gigs with the likes… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 4 – 8
By Don Heckman Who would have thought that Tuesday night’s Disney Hall performance by jazz guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli would wind up in a singalong with the entire audience joining in on “The Twelve Days of Christmas?” The answer is anyone who’s ever seen Pizzarelli, his trio, and his wife, singer Jessica Molaskey, in… Read More Live Jazz: John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey at Disney Hall
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 26. (Wed.) Goran Bregovic Wedding and Funeral Orchestra. Sarajevo’s wildly eclectic bandleader Bregovic leads an orchestra that combines Roma gypsy music, a brass band, strings, a male choir, Bulgarian back-up singers and traces of rock into an inimitable evening of mind-bending music. Disney Hall. (323) 8502000. – Oct.… Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 24 – 30
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 6. (Wed.) The Ernie Andrews Quartet. The stylish, versatile Andrews – as convincing with a ballad standard as he is with the blues — performs with the bebop-driven alto saxophone of Richie Cole, and the stellar rhythm section of Art Hllary, piano, Richard Simon, bass and Ralph Penland,… Read More Picks of the Week: July 5 – 10
By Michael Katz Hearing a hitherto unknown vocalist for the first time in live performance is a little like a blind date. Hopes are high, introductions can be awkward. Rondi Charleston dropped onto the LA jazz scene for a Thursday night date at Catalina, celebrating her new CD, Who Knows Where The Time Goes. Backed… Read More Live Jazz: Rondi Charleston at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 8. (Tues.) Corky Hale and Friends. “I’m Glad There Is You.” Pianist, harpist, singer and imaginative producer Hale assembles most of the cast of prime talent on her album I’m Glad There Is You. The impressive line up includes Sally Kellerman, Ariana Savalas, Tricia Tahara and Brenna Whitaker,… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 8 – 13.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 14. (Tues.) Michael Bolton. One World One Love Tour. The title says it all for the music of the two-time Grammy winner, Bolton, whose soft-rock style has been appealing to romantics since the ‘80s. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 915-8501. – Sept. 14. (Tues.) John Proulx… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 14 – 19.
The International Review of Music 