By Don Heckman Kenny Burrell took a break Friday night from his academic duties at U.C.L.A., where he has been the driving force behind the establishment – and the expansion – of the University’s superb jazz program. Working with his quartet at Catalina Bar and Grill, his far-ranging performance recalled some of the high points… Read More Live Jazz: The Kenny Burrell Quintet at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Michael Katz I’m going to tell you about the second set at Vitello’s Saturday night, featuring the Wolff & Clark Expedition, led by pianist Michael Wolff and drummer Mike Clark. Not that there was anything wrong with the first set. It was, in fact, quite wonderful. It’s just that some of you were no… Read More Live Jazz: The Wolff and Clark Expedition at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Apri. 3. (Wed.) Bobby McFerrin. One of the music world’s most uniquely gifted vocal talents, applying his startling skills to a celebration of his father’s gospel singing in a program titled Spirit You All. Disney Hall. (323) 850-2000. – April 3. (Wed.) Dave Damiani and the No Vacancy… Read More Picks of the Week: April 2 – 7
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 14. (Tues.) Nedra Wheeler. Bassist/vocalist Wheeler is a convincing performer as an instrumentalist and a singer. and she’ll no doubt be in rare form with the backing of Lanny Hartley, piano, Clarence Webb, saxophone and Munyungo Jackson, drums. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – Feb. 15. (Wed.) Spanky… Read More Picks of the Week: Feb. 14 – 19
By Tony Gieske Theresa Russell of “Bad Timing” was the dame I worshiped until Anne Parillaud of “La Femme Nikita” took over. So you couldn’t have kept me away from Vitello’s Friday when Russell began her new career as a torch singer. Sure enough, she resumed her place on my altar. “Stupid thing to take… Read More Live Jazz: Mike Melvoin & Theresa Russell at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Mar. 2. (Tues.) Larry Goldings All-Stars. Keyboardist Goldings is completely worth hearing on his own. But it’ll be even better with this group of solid veteran players: Tom Scott, saxophones, Chuck Berghofer, bass, Jeff Hamilton, drums. Spazio. – Mar. 2. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. Always one of the… Read More Picks of the Week: Mar. 2 – 7
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 14. (Mon.) Larry Goldings and Anthony Wilson. The launch of Organ Night at Vitello’s and it’s hard to think of a pair of players who could do it better. Red Carpet Jazz Serries. Upstairs at Vitellos. (818) 769-0905. – Dec. 14 – 16. . (Mon. – Wed.) An… Read More Picks of the Week: Dec. 14 – 20
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 7 & 8. (Wed. & Thurs.) The Stanley Clarke Trio with Hiromi and Lenny White. They initially seemed an unlikely musical combination – the Return to Forever team of Clarke and White, with the adventurous jazz fusion pianist Hiromi. But the blend has turned out to be remarkably… Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 5 – 11
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 21. (Tues.) Patricia Talem. The musical talent never seems to stop flowing from the rich, creative culture of Brazil. But the musically eclectic newcomer Talem, who is celebrating the release of her self-titled CD, is something special. Blessed with a warm, intimate, whisper in your ear voice, she… Read More Picks of the Week: July 20 – 26
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 8. (Wed.) Sergio Mendes, Eddie Palmieri, Poncho Sanchez. Three views of the colorful spectrum of Latin jazz – from samba and bossa nova to Afro-Cuban and salsa –are featured in the first entry in the Hollywood Bowl’s summer jazz programming. The Hollywood Bowl. – July 8 & 9.… Read More Picks of the Week: July 6 – 12
The International Review of Music 