By Michael Katz Chick Corea and Gary Burton are two exquisite musicians, who in their duets have found a way to channel their talents into a performance both unified by their sensibilities and singular in their contributions. Saturday night, in a UCLA Live presentation before an appreciative audience at Royce Hall, they brought out some… Read More Live Jazz: Chick Corea and Gary Burton at Royce Hall
By Don Heckman The mission of the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is “perpetuating the uniquely American genre of symphonic jazz.” There’s no disputing the desirability of that goal, and Saturday night’s concert at Royce Hall was clearly intended as a display of the Orchestra’s current achievements toward that end. The program began promisingly, with co-Music Director… Read More Live Jazz: The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra at Royce Hall
By Don Heckman Bill Cosby’s irrepressible personality has been such a vital element at the Playboy Jazz Festivals that the event seemed to lose its spark in the one year in which he took a hiatus. In addition to his role as master of ceremonies, his all-star Cos of Good Music band has become one… Read More Q & A: Bill Cosby, Jazz and the Playboy Jazz Festival
By Don Heckman Don Menza picked the right players for his Stan Getz tribute at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. Tuesday night. The saxophone quartet of Menza, Pete Christlieb, Gary Foster (on tenors) and Gene Cipriano (on baritone) brought plenty of experience, skill and Getz-knowledge to the proceedings. Trumpeter Don Rader added some cool contrast, and the… Read More Live Jazz: Don Menza’s Stan Getz Tribute at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
By Larry Koonse The recent passing of Herb Ellis signals yet another huge loss to an era of musicians who were actively involved in creating that feeling known as “swing.” And nobody could swing harder than Herb could. After spending his earlier years honing his craft with Jimmy Dorsey he went on to form the… Read More An Appreciation: Herb Ellis by Larry Koonse
The International Review of Music 