By Devon Wendell Many jazz aficionados like myself have been waiting for a live box set like this one for most of our lives and it’s finally here. Miles Davis At Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4 consists of 4 CDs featuring 20 years of Miles Davis performances (8 shows in total) showcasing Miles… Read More CD Review- Miles Davis At Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4 (Columbia/Legacy)
By Devon Wendell Los Angeles, CA. Any tribute to Miles Davis really goes against Miles’ core belief in always growing and never looking back at past ideas and concepts. But when you gather five musicians (three of whom — Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Marcus Miller — played with Miles) who are constantly pushing themselves… Read More Live Jazz: “A Tribute To Miles” with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Marcus Miller, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Sean Jones at Disney Hall
By Don Heckman Northridge, CA. I couldn’t help but wonder, Saturday night at the Valley Performing Arts Center, whether the Branford Marsalis Quartet was anticipating the hard driving energies of Sunday’s NFL Super Bowl game. Playing at a peak level of intensity, much of what they offered could have served as the sound track for… Read More Live Jazz: The Branford Marsalis Quartet at the Valley Performing Arts Center
The 2012 Playboy Jazz Festival, which takes place at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend, features the rare presence of three world class female jazz drummers. Writer/musician Devon Wendell describes his reaction when he first saw the Festival line up. By Devon Wendell Growing up, I always thought of the drums as being this potent… Read More The Playboy Jazz Festival: The First Ladies of the Skins
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Feb. 1. (Tues.) Jules Day. The rising young jazz singer performs an evening of new, original music from her latest CD, Day Dreams. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. – Feb. 2. (Wed.) Teka and Aaron Serfaty. “Brazilian Jazz.” Guitarist/singer Teka and percussionist Serfaty team up with pianist Otmar… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. Feb. 1 – Feb. 6
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Jan. 25. (Tues.) John Pisano Guitar Night features the always compelling playing of Anthony Wilson in the downstairs lounge. Upstairs, the jazz voices take over, with the Peter Eldridge Group and Dollison & Marsh’s Vertical Voices. Grammy nominated pianist Geoff Keezer provides his usual scintillating accompaniment. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.… Read More Picks of the Week: Jan. 25 – 31
By Mike Finkelstein On Wednesday night UCLA Live presented John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension to a hugely enthusiastic if not quite capacity crowd at Royce Hall. This was an opportunity to get a glimpse of a cornerstone figure in the jazz/rock/fusion field and, moreover, of a man who puts his music on a vigorous… Read More Live Jazz/Rock/Fusion: John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension at Royce Hall
The International Review of Music 