Today's Jazz Events

Keith Jarrett and Gilberto Gil headline this week in L.A., which also features area performances from women in jazz including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Rachelle Ferrell, Denise Donatelli, Kevyn Lettau and Sara Leib. Read more in this week's About & Out by Tom Meek.

Vocalist Judy Wexler makes her debut upstairs at Vitello's on Wednesday, March 24 at 8:00 p.m. with a new show called "Talkin' About My Generation," featuring music from the 60's-70's. The show sets out to capture the musical zeitgeist of the times with a distinctive jazz twist, taking the audience on an adventure through psychedelia, the sexual revolution, social commentary and protest songs. Wexler is backed by Jeff Colella (piano), Chris Colangelo (bass) and Devin Kelly (drums), with additional vocals by special guests Catte Adams and Janelle Sadler.

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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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Premier post-bop trumpeter Wallace Roney will be appearing at Spazio Jazz Supper Club, Friday and Saturday, March 26 and 27th. A musical prodigy, Roney studied with Clark Terry and Dizzy Gillespie and was mentored by Miles Davis, whose influence can be strongly felt in Roney's playing.  An occasional visitor to southern California as a sideman, this will be an unusual opportunity to see and hear him as a leader. His quintet features his brother, Antoine Roney, on sax, Aruan Ortiz on keyboard, Rashaan Carter on bass, and Kush Abadey  on drums. Spazio is located at 14755 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks. Shows at 8 and 10 pm. For reservations, call (818) 728-8400.

The Young Artist Jazz Series presents guitarist Giavanna at Catalina on Tuesday, April 20 at 8:00 p.m. Giavanna is a 16-year-old junior attending City Honors High School. Inspired by the music of Wes Montgomery at the age of 7, she began her artistic journey as a self-taught jazz guitarist with a gift to play by ear. "The first time I heard Wes Montgomery, I was blown away because he made the guitar sound like it was talking to me and listeners," says Giavanna. After years of self study, she made her performance debut as a jazz artist in 2007 and since has sessioned and done recording work in preparation for her upcoming CD release. The Young Artist Jazz Series began in 1996 with the goal of providing a forum for local young jazz artists to showcase their talents in front of a live audience while giving the community the opportunity to support and enjoy these musicians.

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