Look, I’ve seen just about all the great drummers. Not Catlett, Jo or Philly Joe Jones, but definitely Rich, Roach, Cobham, Mason, La Barbera, Bellson and De Johnette, to just throw in a few names. What is it about Steve…
Category: Concert Reviews
Ethan Iverson@Sam First Bar 04.05.24
Believe it or not, Ethan Iverson’s Friday night’s set with Peter Erskine/dr and Darek Oles/b was the first time the pianist has played in Los Angeles as a leader. He’s been here many instances with The Bad Plus and served…
Kandace Springs @ The Sun Rose 04.04.24
In this day of singers weaned on Auto-Tune, it’s rare to find a vocalist who not only sounds real, but sounds both relevant and invigorating. Kandace Springs, playing piano and keyboards while delivering music mostly from her most recent album…
Kirsten Edkins@The Baked Potato 03.18.24
Well, you may have heard in the news that there was a fire at The Baked Potato late Monday night. Contrary to rumor, the fire had nothing to do with the smoking hot set put aflame by saxist Kirsten Edkins…
Magos Herrera @ The Nimoy 03.09.24
The Saturday evening with vocalist Magos Herrera was less of a focus on song than that of celebration. Oh, don’t get me wrong; Ms Herrera’s 90 minute concert at the packed Nimoy Theater was filled with music, as she sang…
Ronnie Foster @ The Baked Potato 03.08.24
Back in the day, there were so many jazzers playing the Hammond B3 that you could throw a rock into a crowd in Westwood and probably hit one. These days, an artist who’s dedicated his whole career to the humming…
Charles Ruggiero Plays Monk Volume 22@The Baked Potato 02.22.24
For the past two years at the Baked Potato, drummer Charles Ruggiero has been giving a monthly tribute to the iconic pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, having his rotating band perform either material composed by the legendary artist, or associated…
Bennie Maupin Plays Jewel In The Lotus@The Ebell of Los Angeles 02.10.24
At the tender age of 83, Bennie Maupin Is one of the last living links to a long list of classic albums, having been a sideman back in the day for Miles Davis (Bitches Brew) Herbie Hancock (Headhunters) Lee Morgan…
Andy Garcia & The Cineson All Stars Cuban Jam Session@Catalina’s 02.03.24
Sure, he can act a bit, but I doubt that anyone in the overflowing Catalina’s came to see Andy Garcia deliver lines from Ocean’s Eleven or The Untouchables. No, the crowd wanted to sing and dance, and Garcia gave a…
Stephane Wrembel@The Grape Ventura 01.24.24
Taking in a concert with guitarist Stephane Wrembel is always a double treat. Not only did the packed house at The Grape Ventura get treated to some of the most swinging and lyrical music on the planet, but Wrembel always…