By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 25. (Wed.) Corky Hale and Freda Payne. A Salute to Billie Holiday’s Birthday. Lovely Freda Payne has a convincing way with the musical riches of the Holiday legacy. And the versatile pianist/harpist Hale, once Lady Day’s accompanist, provides the perfect setting. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. –… Read More Picks of the Week: April 25 – April 30
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 12. (Thurs.) Carol Welsman. Traveling the world is at the heart of singer/pianist Welsman’s engaging new CD, Journey. She celebrates its release with an evening’s sampling of the rich, emotionally far-reaching songs from the album. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – April 11. (Wed.) Pacifica Quartet. The talented young, Grammy-winning… Read More Picks of the Week: April 10 – 15
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 16. (Tues.) Johnny Mandel Big Band. Multiple Grammy winner, gifted composer/arranger/songwriter Mandel is one of the Southland’s true musical treasures. This rare appearance with a big band serves as an early celebration of his 85th birthday on November 23. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Nov. 16. (Tues.) … Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 16 – 21
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 9. (Tues.) Roy Gaines and His Orchestra. “Tuxedo Blues” Guitarist/blues singer Gaines’ resume includes stints with Ray Charles, Chuck Willis, Bobby “Blue” Bland and others. The Living Blues “Comeback Artist of the Year,” he’s still in rare form. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Nov. 9 – 13. … Read More Picks of the Week: Nov. 9 – 14
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 11. (Wed.) B.B. King, Buddy Guy. The blues at its best by a pair of venerable masters. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000. – Aug. 11. (Wed.) Bennie Maupin Ensemble. Maupin’s mastery of the tenor saxophone, flute and bass clarinet has reached from Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock to… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug 10 – 15
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 11. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night . Larry Koonse, the guitarist who can play almost anything, takes a break from making everyone else sound great, and steps onto center stage alongside Steve Cardenas. Vitello’s. http://www.vitellosrestaurant.com (818) 769-0905. – May 12. (Wed.) Chuck Berghofer’s Midnight Jazz Band. Featuring Gary… Read More Picks of the Week: May 10 – 16
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 19. (Mon.) Pat Metheny. The ever-adventurous, all-star guitarist has put together a computerized, remote control ensemble that allows him to play all the instruments in his band. The Orchestrion Tour. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000. – April 19. (Mon.) Larry Goldings. Organ Night. The B-3 rules on Monday nights… Read More Picks of the Week: April 19 – 25
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 9. (Wed.) Natalie Cole and Hollywood Bowl Orch. The versatile, always entertaining Cole returns to action, like the veteran trouper she is, after kidney transplant surgery. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000 – Sept. 9. (Wed.) Jacob Fred Odyssey. One of the most intriguing of the nu-jazz groups makes a… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 8 – 13
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – March 30 (Mon.) The Frank Capp Juggernaut Big Band. It’s a juggernaut, all right – a hard driving, deeply swinging collection of L.A.’s finest players, working through the scintillating repertoire of the Great American Big Band Book. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058. http://www.charlieos.com – April 1. (Wed.) The Alan Broadbent… Read More Picks of the Week: March 30 – April 5
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 9. (Mon.) Bill Holman Big Band. Holman is arguably one of the great, innovative arranger’composers of his – or of any – generation. With big band nights becoming difficult to maintain in the current economy, here’s a rare opportunity to hear Holman’s amazing charts up close and personal.… Read More Picks of the Week: March 9 – 15
The International Review of Music 