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 Let’s start with full disclosure: I haven’t always been a fan of B-3 organ jazz. But what I’ve realized over the years is that the problem hasn’t been the instrument, but a few of the instrument’s players. All of which was fully clarified last night at Vitello’s with the stellar performance of… Read More Live Jazz: Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 15. (Wed.) Brenna Whitaker. She could have been a ‘30s platinum blond star. But Whitaker doesn’t just look good; she can sing, too. This time out she picks a set of tunes to enhance the birthday of Vibrato co-owner Eden Alpert. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – May… Read More Picks of the Week: May 14 – 19
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept 19. (Wed.) Catharine Russell. Her resume includes gigs and recordings with the likes of Paul Simon, Steely Dan, David Bowie, Michael Feinstein. But she’s very much the “real thing” according to critic Nat Hentoff. And why not? Her father, pianist Luis Russell, was Louis Armstrong’s music director. Catalina… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 18 – 23
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 4. (Tues.) Patti Lupone. The versatile, two-time Tony Award winning artist presents “Gypsy in My Soul,” a set of songs illuminating her life on and off stage. Royce Hall. (310) 825-2101. – Oct. 5 & 6. (Wed. & Thurs.) Further (Phil Lesh and Bob Weir) The spirit of… Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 4 – 9
By Don Heckman Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart have been working together for more than two decades. Given the fact that they’re all in their early forties, that’s nearly half a lifetime of musical compatibility – more than the longevity of many marriages. That compatibility was on far-reaching display Saturday night at Vitello’s… Read More Live Jazz: Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 15. (Tues.) Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. The JLCO under Marsalis has firmly established itself as the definitive jazz repertory big band, performing programs that keep the spirit of large ensemble jazz – from Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson to the present – alive and… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 15 – 20
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
By Don Heckman A 70th anniversary for any record company is an impressive achievement. A 70th anniversary for a jazz record company is almost unheard of. So the current celebration of the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records — which includes upcoming tributes associated with the Grammy Awards, as well as a series of touring… Read More Live Jazz: The Blue Note 7
The International Review of Music 