Today's Jazz Events

Larry Coryell and Hiromi visit L.A. this week, along with gigs featuring Ralph Humphrey, John Beasley, Austin Peralta, Mark Isham and Josh Nelson. Read more in this week's About & Out by Tom Meek.

There are two long-running jazz clubs in the US that are famous worldwide. One turned 75 years young recently and that one is New York's Village Vanguard. Edging out the Village Vanguard by a few months and regarded as the oldest jazz club in the world, Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit has stayed open consecutively for the past 76 years. Read more in the latest edition of Dee Dee's Jazz Diary.

Singer, composer and guitarist Gilberto Gil will be bringing his unique blend of jazz, rock, reggae and traditional rhythms of Bahia to Royce Hall at UCLA on Saturday, March 20 at 8pm, accompanied by cellist Jacques Morelenbaum. Gil's importance to the culture of his country goes back to the 60's, when he and Caetano Veloso created "Tropicalismo," a wave of musical innovation that incorporated unusual rhythms, unorthodox song structures and politically engaged lyrics into popular music. The movement galvanized popular opposition to the repressive military regime and resulted in Veloso and Gil being exiled until 1972. Call 310-825-2101 for ticket. Presented by Brazilian Nites.

Pianist and composer Billy Childs will make a rare appearance at Vitello's Jazz & Super Club on Thursday, March 25, doing shows at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. This will be a chance for the Grammy®-winner to "just play."

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The one-and-only Monterey Jazz Festival has taken to the road with a roster of musical heavyweights including nine-time Grammy®-nominated and NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron (piano), Grammy-nominated Regina Carter (violin), Grammy winner Russell Malone (guitar), Grammy-winner Kurt Elling (vocals), Kiyoshi Kitagawa (bass) and Grammy-nominated Johnathan Blake (drums). This impressive ensemble makes a stop at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, April 24 at 8:00 p.m.

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Opened in 1970, the world-famous Baked Potato is the oldest jazz club in California and a Los Angeles historical music landmark, known for hosting internationally-known jazz greats. On Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23, they will celebrate that history with the Baked Potato 40th Anniversary Jazz Festival, at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. The weekend will feature performances by Larry Carlton, Yellowjackets, The Jazz Ministry, Steve Lukather and Special Friends, The Michael Landau Group, Don Randi & Quest, Lee Ritenour and Friends, The Baked Potato All Stars, O.H.M, Scott Henderson Trio, VOLTO!, Holdsworth, Pasqua, Haslip, Novak, John Daversa Big Band and Mitch Forman. Tickets are on sale now.

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