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 Oct. 11. (Thurs.) Dr. John, the Lower 911 and the Blind Boys of Alabama. “Spirituals To Funk.” The title is right on target, with Dr. John’s inimitable, funk-driven, Crescent city swing and the gripping spirituals of the Blind Boys. Valley Performing Arts Center. (818) 677-8800. – Oct. 11. (Thurs.) Frank… Read More Picks of the Week: October 9 – 14
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 27. (Tues.) Keith Jarrett Solo. It’s improvisation at its most illuminating whenever Jarrett takes one of his remarkable excursions into the world of total creative spontaneity. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000. There will also be two additional solo dates as part of this Spring tour. The first is Sunday,… Read More Picks of the Week: March 27 – April 1
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 21. (Wed.) Zana Messia and the Balkan Soul Orchestra. Yugoslavian singer-songwriter Messia celebrates the release of her new album, Balkan Soul, featuring the arching melodies and gypsy rhythms of her songs. Guest performers will reportedly be in attendance as well. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Mar. 21. (Wed.) Zakir… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 20 – 25
By Don Heckman Don Lucoff’s DL Media company has been one of the jazz world’s primary public relations and marketing consultants since 1988. In addition to a more than two decade association with Blue Note, Lucoff has worked with virtually every major and independent record label as well as a stellar list of individual jazz… Read More Q & A: Don Lucoff — Jazz Media Expert and Managing Director of the Portland Jazz Festival
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 1. (Tues.) Alan Bergman. It’s always fun to hear a songwriter perform his own songs. But it’s even better when the songwriter is also a singer with a richly nuanced interpretative style. In Bergman, you get all that and more. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. http://www.vibratogrilljazz.com – Mar.… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 1 – 6
By Don Heckman SFJAZZ today announced that long-anticipated plans to build a permanent home for the 28-year old San Francisco organization have finally come to fruition. The SFJAZZ Center will be located in the Hayes Valley neighborhood, at 205 Franklin Street, a few blocks from Davies Symphony Hall and the San Francisco War Memorial and… Read More News: SFJAZZ Builds A Home
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 23. (Tues.) John Proulx. At a time when male jazz singers are in the minority, Proulx, a fine jazz pianist, is carving a vocal identity of his own. He performs with trumpeter Warren Luening, bassist Chuck Berghofer and drummer Joe LaBarbera. Catalina Bar & Grill (323) 466-2210. –… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 23 – 28
By Don Heckman As it begins its 27th season, the San Francisco Jazz Festival — SFJAZZ — has become well-established as one of the world’s most far-reaching, creatively diverse musical events. Now encompassing three seasons – with around 100 annual concerts in Fall, Spring and Summer – it is the imaginative offspring of Executive Director… Read More Q & A: Randall Kline and SFJAZZ
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 