Concerts
LUCKMAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA“Old Wine, New Bottles.” Brilliant concept, taking jazz pieces from back as far as the teens and ’20s to see what happens . . . Check out Greg Burk’s take in Beauty/Noise. CAL STATE L.A., Luckman Complex, 5151 State University Dr.; Sat., Jan. 28, 8 p.m. (323) 343-6600 or (213) 480-3232.
WAYNE SHORTER & THE L.A. PHILHARMONICThese jazz-meets-the-Phil gigs are always a risky proposition . . . the swing and improv of jazz don’t mesh well with the vast sound of a full orchestra. Still, Wayne Shorter’s tunes, and even his solos, have a certain something — a lilt? something askew? — that is probably just as influenced by Dead White Male composers as by the blues. So who knows? If his latest quartet (pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Pattitucci, drummer Brian Blade) can handle the hard-edged frailty of JuJu with such grace, then Villa-Lobos shouldn’t be a problem. And besides, Wayne Shorter gets to solo on Bach . . . now that’s a trip. WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, First St. & Grand Ave., dwntwn.; Sat., Jan. 28, 8 p.m. (323) 850-2000.
TIM HAGANS, CLAY JENKINS“The Music of Lee Morgan.” That’s a lot of good music for trumpeters Hagans and Jenkins to pick from. They are joined by the sax section of Danny House, Jerry Pinter and Greg Smith, trombonist Dave Woodley, and the rhythm section of bassist Putter Smith and drummer Joe LaBarbera. Presented by the American Jazz Institute. CLAREMONT McKENNA COLLEGE, Pickford Auditorium, 500 E. Ninth St., Claremont; Mon., Jan. 30, 8 p.m.; free. (626) 795-6413.
Clubs
THE BACK ROOM AT HENRI’S, 21601 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. Intimate, affordable, good eats, full bar. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.-mid.; weeknights 6:30-9:30 p.m. No cover. (818) 348-5582.
Fri.—Always a joy to hear these two go at it: saxophonist Pete Christlieb and trumpeter Carl Saunders get together with TheJohn Hammond Trio.
Sat.—Outside of Afro-Cuban jazz, there aren’t many trombone stars, but Bill Watrous ought to be one. With The John Hammond Trio.
Thurs.—Call club for info.
THE BAKED POTATO, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City. 9:30 & 11:30 p.m. Cover varies. All ages. (818) 980-1615.
Fri.-Sat.—C.A.B. with guitarist Tony MacAlpine, bassist Bunny Brunel, keyboardist Steve Weingart and drummer Virgil Donati.
Sun.—Vocalist Rehya Stevens, featuring keyboardist Dennis Hamm, bassist Wayne Lothian and drummer Christopher Allis.
Mon.—Guitarist Joel Hoekstra & Undefinedwith Walter Fischbacher on keys, bassist Ric Fierabracci and drummer Joel Rosenblatt.
Tues.—Drummer Jason Harnell’s trio with organist Joe Bagg.
Wed.—Exceptional quartet of pianist Otmaro Ruizwith saxist Ben Wendel, bassist Jimmy Johnson and drummer Jimmy Branly.
Thurs.—Honeybreath and Nothin’ Personal.
CAFE CORDIALE, 14015 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. A session cats’ hang; lots of fusion and jazzy R&B. Beer & wine. Music begins 9:30 or 10 p.m. No cover. All ages. (818) 789-1985.
Fri.—The Brothers Thick.
Sat.—Triple Scale(featuring drummer Joey Heredia).
Wed.-Thurs.—Call club for info.
CAFE METROPOL, 923 E. Third St., dwntwn. Rocco sets up the jazz downtown. Food, beer/wine. Music 8-10:30 p.m. (213) 613-1537 or www.roccoinla.com.
Fri.—Sensitive horticulture from a local master and his skilled band: pianist Alan Pasqua’s Jazz Collective with saxist Jeff Ellwood, bassist Darek Oles and drummer Andrew Fockel; $10. (Greg Burk)
Sat.—Expect everything from austere spaces to classically influenced melodies when Italian avant-garde percussionist Andrea Centazzostrokes his equipment; $10. (Greg Burk)
Thurs.—Some of the newer saxophone colossi are way out West: The Ben Wendel Group, with saxist Wendel, drummer Nate Wood, guitarist Larry Koonse, pianist Gerald Clayton, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and bassist Joe Sanders; $5.
CAFE 322, 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Full bar. Fine Italian food at great prices, full bar — a cool hang and a great jazz room. Music 7-11:30 p.m. No cover, no min. (626) 836-5414.
Fri.-Sat.—Very fine jazz vocalist Judy Wexler with pianist Karen Hammack, bassist Ryan McGillicuddy and drummer Tim Pleasant.
Sun.—Night at the Opera with pianist Danny Guerrero.
Wed.—TheJazz Jam Session.
Thurs.—Pianist Matt Politano’s trio.
CATALINA BAR & GRILL, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hlywd. Modern elegance. Tues.-Sat., 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.; Sun., 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. Cover varies. All ages. Full bar. Full menu. (323) 466-2210.
Fri.-Sun.—Tom Scott. The L.A. Expressman’s nice new Bebop United features Phil Woods and Ronnie Cuber, among others.
Tues.—Louie Cruz Beltran & His Latin Jazz Orchestra.
Wed.—Vocalist Tierney Sutton’s Grammy-nomination party.
Thurs.—For jazz guitar, he’s the living taproot: The Kenny Burrell Quartet. (Greg Burk)
CHARLIE O’S, 13725 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys. The best jazz at this players’ hang. No cover. Restaurant & full bar. 21 & over. (818) 994-3058.
Fri.—Excellent swing and bop trumpeter Bobby Shew with The John Heard Trio(pianist Jon Mayer, drummer Roy McCurdy).
Sat.—Fine mix of blues and beyond from saxophonist Rickey Woodard with The John Heard Trio (including pianist Larry Fuller).
Sun.—Pianist Karen Hernandez, with John Heard, drummer Lorca Hart.
Mon.—Pianist Pat Tuzzolino’s quartet with Sam Most on sax/flute, great drummer Billy Paul and congueroRay Armando.
Tues.—Pretty gutsy guitarist Thom Rotella’s Fourtet with pianist Rich Eames, bassist Luther Hughes and drummer Roy McCurdy.
Wed.—Terrific hard bop from trumpeter Nolan Shaheed’s quintet with alto saxist Zane Musa.
