John Beasley wasn’t far off the mark when he half-jokingly stated at the start of the Vitello’s gig that “I’ve been on a city-wide tour this year.” For the past 6 weeks, the keyboardist has rolled back into his tin…
Category: Concert Reviews
Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra @ The Canyon Club 02.15.13
Like so many artists, it would be temptingly easy for guitarist Ottmar Liebert to simply cash in on the popularity that he developed 20 years ago and simply coast into town and play the songs that are expected of him.…
Robben Ford@Catalina’s 02.07.13
Look, he founded the Yellowjackets, toured with Miles and has played with George Harrison and Joni Mitchell, but when you come right down to it, what guitarist Robben Ford is REALLY all about is the blues, and that’s what he’s…
Branford Marsalis Quartet@Valley Performing Arts Center 02.02.13
Returning to the town where he used to lead the Tonight Show band, Branford Marsalis reunited with fans and friends by bringing his hard working group of Joey Caldarazzo/p, Eric Revis/b and Justin Faulkner/dr to the acoustically enjoyable Valley Arts…
Vinicius Cantuaria & Bill Frisell@Skirball Cultural Center 01.20.13
It was a classic night of quiet nights and quiet stars, as Vinicius Cantuaria and Bill Frisell presented quiet chords on their guitars at the acoustically cozy Skirball Center. They’ve put out a few collaborative releases together, their latest being…
Monterey Jazz Festival All Stars@The Lobero Theatre 01.15.13
Celebrating 55 years of the finest in jazz, the touring Monterey Jazz Festivals All Stars rolled into Santa Barbara (or “Saint Babs,” as leader Christian McBride joked) and turned the upscale packed house into a its own. Before the entire band of Ambrose…
Jane Monheit@Catalina’s 12.31.12
In view of the Fiscal Cliff, it seemed like the only way to end the year on a good note was to take in a NYE celebration at Catalina’s with Jane Monheit and her band of Michael Kanan/p, Neal Miner/b…
Luciana Souza@The Blue Whale 12.18.12
Vocalist Luciana Souza just gave Angelenos another reason for hanging around town for the Christmas holidays, as she has made a promise to continue her annual Advent tradition of ending the year with a concert at the very hip Blue…
Lee Ritenour & Mike Stern@Catalinas12.13.12
You know you’re in for a serious night of axe wielding when bassist Melvin Davis brings his 7 string behemoth to keep up with the six string theorists like Lee Ritenour and Mike Stern who, along with drummer Sonny Emory,…
Pete Christlieb@Vibratos 12.08.12
Over the past 30+ years I’ve seen tenor saxist Pete Christlieb as a sideman for artists ranging from Tom Waits to Benny Goodman to Johnny Mandel and beyond. At the upscale Bel Air club Vibratos, Christlieb was in the forefront…