By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 1 (Mon.) Suze’s Birthday Fest. Susan Krebs celebrates her birthday in the creative company of Rich Eames, piano, Jerry Kalaf, drums and Tom Warrington, bass. Add to that the presence of special guests saxophonist Brian Scanlon and violinist Paul Cartwright. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – July 2. (Tues.) Carol… Read More Picks of the Week: July 1 – 7
By Don Heckman Anyone who doubts the excitement, the imagination and the contemporary vitality of big band jazz should have been at Vitello’s last weekend. Over the course of Friday and Saturday nights, two stellar ensembles – the Bob Mintzer Big Band and the Bill Cunliffe Big Band – offered invigorating reminders of the still-potent… Read More Live Jazz: the Bob Mintzer and Bill Cunliffe Big Bands
By Don Heckman When Herbie Hancock, now a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and one of the world’s best known jazz artists, decreed that Monday, April 30 would be International Jazz Day, the response was a series of celebratory musical events around the globe. The most visible featured Hancock with a stellar array of artists, starting with… Read More Here, There and Everywhere: The Celebration of International Jazz Day at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
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 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 – April 5. (Tues.) Junko Onishi Trio. Japanese pianist Onishi confirms her return to jazz action last year after a performance break of nearly a decade. She kicks off her American tour tonight with the backing of the sterling rhythm team of bassist Dwayne Burno and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. Catalina… Read More Picks of the Week: April 5 – 10
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 30 (Wed.) Bill Cantos Quartet. Pianist/singer/songwriter Cantos is a first call rhythm section player. But he’s also a gifted performer in his own right, a songwriter whose works have the feel and the quality of the Great American Songbook. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – April 1.… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 29 – April 3
By Don Heckman Last week, John Pisano’s Guitar Night celebrated its 14th anniversary of bringing weekly guitar jams to the Southland’s jazz audience. And last night, Guitar Night kicked off its 15th year with the kind of evening that has made this long run series into such a vital jazz destination. In addition to the… Read More Live Jazz: John Pisano’s Guitar Night at Vitello’s with Larry Koonse and Tom Warrington
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 18. (Tues.) John Pisano Guitar Night. With Larry Koonse and Tom Warrington. Koonse is everybody’s first call guitarist. Here’s a too rare chance to hear him in the spotlight. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Jan. 18. (Tues.) Theo Saunders Quartet. Pianist Saunders has a resume with activities covering every… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 18 – 23
The International Review of Music 