By Don Heckman June 20 (Mon)… Seth MacFarlane with the Joel McNeely Band. MacFarlne’s singing is a convincing echo of the Sinatra, Martin, Rat Pack big band era. In his spare time, the versatile MacFarlane also has a convincing career as the producer of such major animation series as Family Guy, American Father and much… Read More MUSICAL PICKS OF THE WEEK (JUNE 20 – 26) IN LOS ANGELES
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 9. (Wed.) Ariana Savalas and Corky Hale. Yes, the name “Savalas” is familiar; Ariana is the daughter of the veteran actor Telly Savalas. But as a singer, she has an appealing style that is uniquely her own. She’s backed by the musically supportive accompaniment of pianist/harpist Hale. Vibrato… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 7 – 13
By Devon Wendell Photos by Bonnie Perkinson This year’s choice of performers at The 34th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival may have had both the serious jazz fan and struggling jazz musician recoiling in disgust, but even the most stubborn jazz aficionado can’t deny that fun and diversity dominated the festival. Before covering Sunday’s highlights,… Read More The Playboy Jazz Festival 2012: Sunday’s Program at the Hollywood Bowl
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 – Aug. 23. (Tues.) Clay Jenkins. Good Signs CD concert. Trumpeter Jenkins celebrates the September release of his new CD with the stellar band on the album — guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Tom Warrington and drummer Joe LaBarbera. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Aug. 24. (Wed.) Alan Ferber Quartet. Versatile trombonist… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 23 – 28
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 14. (Tues.) Motley Crue. L.A.’s heavy metal stars of the eighties (and beyond) take over the vast expanse of the Bowl for a tour through the many hits that have made them rock icons. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2040. – June 15. (Wed.) Sachel Vasandani Quartet. At a… Read More Picks of the Week: June 14 – 19
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 31. (Tues.) The Karen Lovely Band. Rising vocal star Lovely is applying her powerful singing to classic blues, richly investing the styles of the ’30s and ’40s — Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, etc. — with her uniquely contemporary perspective. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Aug. 31.… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 30 – Sept. 5
By Don Heckman Los Angeles Oct. 12. (Mon.) BERN. Drummer Bernie Dresel‘s 12 piece band of instrumentalists and singers, playing what he describes as “supercharged horny funk” — swing their way through music ranging from Tower of Power and Stevie Wonder to Miles Davis and Steely Dan. Cafe Cordiale in Sherman Oaks. (818) 789-1985. –… Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 12 – 18
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 30 (Wed.) Otmaro Ruiz and John Belzaguy Duo. Expect a musically stirring encounter between Venezuela-born Ruiz’s rich textured, Latin-tnged piano and Belzaguy’s sturdy, rhythmically versatile bass. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9499. – Sept. 30. (Wed.) Bob Sheppard Quartet. W. Larry Koonse, guitar, Gabe Noel, bass and Joe LaBarbera,… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 28 – Oct. 4
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 4. (Tues.) Chuck Berghofer’s Midnight Jazz Band. Whenever bassist Berghofer steps into the leader’s role, you can count on the fact that he’ll be surrounded by world class players. And the Midnight band is no exception, with Gary Foster on alto sax, Tom Ranier on piano and Joe… Read More Picks of the Week: August 3 – 9
The International Review of Music 