You know it’s going to be a good jam session with LA guitar icon John Pisano when he’s with fellow picker Barry Zweig, and they don’t suggest songs to each other but only keys. Such was the evening at Viva…
Category: Concert Reviews
The Anderson-Ponty Band@The Saban Theatre 11.20.15
During this time of people debating over what marriage actually is, it was refreshing to see a renewal of wedding vows between jazz and rock at the Saban that included the traditional old, new, borrowed and blue. Vocalist Jon Anderson,…
The Yardbirds@The Canyon Club 11.15.15
Although there is only one member of the original band, the Yardbirds with drummer Jim McCarty kept faithful to the legendary band album titles, as the Five Live Yardbirds had a Rave Up at the packed Canyon Club Sunday night,…
Dorado Schmitt’s Django All Stars w/ Roger Kellaway@The Lobero 11-10-15
Until the past generation, people became jazz fans because it was the best music for dancing, and not listening to cacophonic solos.Guitarist Dorado Schmitt and his Django All Stars reminded the packed audience at the Lobero that the first distinction…
Smulyan-Mintzer-LaBarbera-Oles@The Blue Whale10.31.15
Just before the 90 minute set started, drummer Joe LaBarbera was asked if this set with Gary Smulyan/bari, Bob Mintzer/ts and Darek Oles/b was part of a tour or recording project. “No,” he replied, “it’s just some guys getting together…
Kenny Burrell@Catalina’s 10.30.15
Celebrating the release of his 108th album, entitled The Road to Love, legendary guitarist Kenny Burrell delivered a 2 hour set that served as a tempting invitation to purchase the cd in the back of the club as well as…
Sinne Eeg@The E Spot Lounge 10.21.15
Leave it to the Danish to deliver the Great American Songbook! Vocalist SInne Eeg has made a name for herself as one of the most important jazz vocalists in Scandinavia , but if her show at The E Spot Lounge is…
Jazz Bakery’s Moveable Feast Presents: Charles Lloyd Quartet@Zipper Hall 10.18.15
Charles Lloyd delivered a 90 minute summary of his career with his team of Gerald Clayton/p, Reuben Rogers/b and Kendrick Scott/dr. Playing from start to finish the 6 piece Wild Man Suite from his latest album, Lloyd delivered moods and…
Hiromi’s Trio Project & Justin Kauflin@The Broad Stage 09.28.15
The word “piano” is actually a shortened version of its original name, which was “pianoforte.” It literally means “quiet-strong” which set it apart from its sister the one dimensional harpsichord. Both the “piano” and “forte” were in full display by…
Herb Alpert & Lani Hall@Pepperdine LSWC Center
“There’s something about a good melody and a lyric. You still remember it.” Thus was summarized the attitude, evening and career of Herb Alpert with his wife of 41 years Lani Hall at Pepperdine’s Center for the Arts on a…