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 Devon Wendell When listening to “Dizzy Atmosphere” recorded live on September 29th, 1947, with Dizzy Gillespie at Carnegie Hall, it’s hard to believe that tomorrow, March 12th, Bird will have been dead 59 years. In that solo alone, Bird captured the future, present, and the entire history of jazz in a frenetically beautiful but… Read More Bye Bye Bird From Hollywood: The 59th Anniversary of the Death Of Charlie Parker
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 Los Angeles – Nov. 8. (Fri.) Bill Holman Big Band. Holman’s music is always a pleasure to hear live. And this is an even better opportunity, since the band will be performing (on the first set only) its highly praised all-Thelonious Monk album, Brilliant Corners, in its entirety. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. –… Read More Picks of the Weekend: Nov. 8 – 10
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 30. (Wed.) Amanda McBroom. The singer, actress and songwriter (“The Rose” is one of her songs) takes a break from her busy acting career to make a rare musical appearance in Los Angeles. Catalina Bar & Grill. (223) 466-2210. – Oct. 31. (Thurs.) Kate Reid and Larry Koonse… Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 28 – Nov. 3
By Devon Wendell Lou Reed; the King of New York, is dead. This information still doesn’t compute with me. And at the same time, Lou’s death symbolizes the end of an era for this fellow native New Yorker. About a week before Lou’s death, I learned that the historic Roseland Ballroom in NYC will be… Read More A Remembrance: Lou Reed
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 2. (Wed.) Diane Hubka. Singer/guitarist Hubka celebrates the release of her new CD, West Coast Strings. She’ll be backed by a prime group of players: Guitarists John Pisano, Barry Zweig & David Eastlee, organist Bobby Pierce, bassist Jeff D’Angelo and drummer Kendall Kay. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323)… Read More Picks of the Week: October 2 – 6
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 25. (Wed.) A Joe Pass Tribute. The great jazz guitarist’s life is celebrated with a screening of the jazzumentary, A Not So Average Joe, followed by a live performance featuring Frank Potenza, John Pisano, Jim Hughart and Colin Bailey. Catalina Bar & Grill. – Sept. 26. (Thurs.) Pat… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 25 – 29
By Don Heckman It’s a light, holiday week, with 100-plus temperatures here in L.A. But there’s still some very fine music to hear in various parts of the world. Los Angeles – Sept. 4 – 8. (Wed. – Sun.) The Roy Hargrove Quintet. Trumpeter Hargrove has appeared frequently with his big band lately. But this… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 4 – 8
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 27. Tues.) Lyn Stanley “Lost in Romance.” Jazz vocalist Lyn Stanley celebrates the release of her new album in the stellar company of Tamir Hendelman, Mike Lang, Llew Matthews, Dominic Genova, Jim DeJulio, Bernie Dresel, Rickey Woodard, Bob McChesney and Grant Geissman. Add to that an appearance by… Read More Picks of the Week: August 26 – Sept. 1
The International Review of Music 