Topping our list is a special celebration of Liza Minnelli’s 75th birthday. The stars are coming out in droves to celebrate the woman who forever put her mark on Sally Bowles, who famously served as Gwen Verdon’s understudy (look that one up!), captured Arthur’s heart and made us all try singing New York, New York just like she does.

We have an unbelievable 21 different shows for you this week. No one will be left out. Whether you like opera, dance, classical music, Broadway musicals, plays or jazz, there’s something great for you to watch this weekend.

But you’ll have to be careful with your time. You lose an hour this weekend. Sunday marks the return of Daylight Savings Time. So don’t forget to move your clocks one hour forward on Sunday. You don’t want to miss the start of these shows!

Here are your Best Bets: March 12th – March 15th starting with our Top Pick. The rest are in order of availability.

*TOP PICK*: A Love Letter to Liza Minnelli: 75th All-Star Birthday Tribute Celebration – March 12th – March 14th

You know it’s either a monumental birthday or you’re quite beloved if Lea DeLaria, Michael Feinstein, Joel Grey, Ute Lemper, Melissa Manchester, Seth Sikes, Billy Stritch, Haley Swindal, Lily Tomlin, Ben Vereen and more are performing to celebrate you.

It’s actually both for Oscar, Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress/singer Liza Minnelli.

The star of Bob Fosse’s Cabaret and the Broadway musicals Flora, the Red Menace, Chicago, The Act and The Rink turns 75 on Friday. And her friends are celebrating the best way they can during a pandemic – with an on-line event.

Offering their own memories of working and being friends with Liza are Jason Alexander, Sandra Bernhard, Charles Busch, Mario Cantone, Jim Caruso, Joan Collins, Craig Ferguson, Kathie Lee Gifford, Kathy Griffin, Jonathan Groff, Tony Hale, Julie Halston, John Kander, Nicholas King, Hoda Kotb, Nathan Lane, Michele Lee, Lorna Luft, Andrea Martin, John Cameron Mitchell, Kathy Najimy, Coco Peru, Parker Posey, Andrew Rannells, Chita Rivera and Michael York.

The show will stream only three times and only at these exact times: Friday, March 12th at 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST; Saturday, March 13th at 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST and Sunday, March 14th at 7:00 PM EDT/4:00 PM PDT. Tickets are $30 with 20% of all proceeds going to The Actors Fund.

PLAY: Three Days of Rain – Manhattan Theatre Club – Now – March 21st

In 2006 Richard Greenberg’s play Three Days of Rain was performed on Broadway by Bradley Cooper, Julia Roberts and Paul Rudd. But that was not its first appearance in New York. In 1997, Manhattan Theatre Club offered the first production with Patricia Clarkson, John Slattery and Bradley Whitford.

That cast, along with original director Evan Yionoulis, have reunited for an online reading of Three Days of Rain that began on Thursday and will continue being available through Sunday, March 21st.

Three Days of Rain tells the story of a brother and sister who return to settle their father’s affairs after his passing. They are joined by their best friend, Pip. Upon discovering a diary they learn more about their parents than they ever expected to. What they learn helps them understand more about their own lives.

There’s no charge to watch the reading, but you do need to register at Manhattan Theatre Club’s website.

DANCE: After It Happened – Invertigo Dance Theatre – Now available

Laura Karlin choreographed this work for nine dancers that was performed at The Ford Theatre in 2016. Two musicians perform the score by composers Toby Karlin, Diana Lynn and Hyosun Choi.

The “it” that happened is a natural disaster in this work created in 2014. What the dancers discover, performing as the community dealing with the aftermath if the event, is that they must forge together to overcome the tragedy that has befallen them.

There’s no charge to watch After It Happened. You will find it on The Ford’s website and also on their YouTube channel and Facebook page. It will remain available for viewing for one year.

PLAY/DISCUSSION: Another Day’s Begun: Exploring Our Town – Pasadena Playhouse – Now available

Thorton Wilder’s Our Town is one of the most often-produced plays. Wilder won the Pulitzer Prize for this deceptively simple play in which the lives of the citizens of Grover’s Corners are shared and depicted. Along the way there are guest lecturers and even questions from the audience. Leading the whole show is the role of the Stage Manager. This is a spare show and a powerfully moving one.

Jane Kaczmarek will perform scenes from Our Town and lead a discussion with author Howard Sherman. His book gives this program its name. Also participating in performance are Youssef Kerkour, Keith Randolph Smith and Alexandria Wailes.

For trivia buffs, Frank Craven originated the role of the Stage Manager when the play debuted on Broadway in 1938. Marc Connelly played the part in a 1944 revival (that also featured Montgomery Clift as George Gibbs). In 1969 Henry Fonda headlined a production as the Stage Manager. Spalding Gray took on the part in a 1988 revival. Paul Newman played the part in a 2002 revival.

There’s no charge to watch this show.

RADIO PLAY: Moby Dick … in the Dark – Theatre in the Dark – Now – April 10th

If like many of us you’ve found it a big of a slog to get through Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, and the thought of listening to a full book on tape is also daunting, but you still want to know what all the fuss is about, Chicago’s Theatre in the Dark is presenting a radio play version that’s much shorter.

If you don’t know the story it is, at least on the surface, about one man’s relentless effort to capture the white whale that gives this story its title. He will stop at nothing with little concern of what it costs.

Corey Bradberry, who also directs, adapted Melville’s story. This will be a true radio play. There are no visuals. An original score by Nick Montopoli will be married with recorded sound, live foley effects and the performances of the cast.

Elizabeth McCoy plays Ishmael (and some other characters). Mack Gordon plays Starbuck, Stubb and other characters. Robinson J. Cyprian plays Captain Ahab and others.

All tickets are Pay-what-you-can. There is a $20-$30 suggested donation. Performances are available Thursday-Sunday until the last week where the performance schedule is Wednesday-Saturday. Tickets can be purchased here.

BALLET: Elite Syncopations – Royal Ballet – March 12th – April 11th

In October of 2020, when things were looking up for England during the pandemic, The Royal Ballet held a special performance called Back on Stage. While they were only briefly back on stage, one highlight from that evening will be available for streaming beginning this weekend.

Kenneth MacMillan’s Elite Syncopations is set to the music of Scott Joplin (best known for the use of his music in the film The Sting). MacMillan debuted the 35-minute work in 1974. Even critics who weren’t as fond of it as others said it was impossible to watch this work and not have a smile on your face.

Tickets to stream Elite Syncopations are £3 which equates to approximately $3.60.

FAMILY FARE: The Musician: A Horror Opera for Children – The Belfast Ensemble – March 12th – March 14th

If I were a parent I might be scratching my head at a title that claims to be “A Horror Opera for Children.” The story of The Pied Piper of Hamelin is the inspiration for this world premiere work by Conor Mitchell. He is the composer, librettist and stage director of The Musician.

This is a film of a live performance for the Belfast Children’s Festival. It features a 16-piece orchestra and a four-person cast (Matthew Cavan, Paul Carey Jones, Rebecca Murphy and Sarah Richmond).

This work is recommended for kids ages 6 and above. Tickets are £5 which equates to approximately $6.00 (without service charges) and can be purchased here.

JAZZ: Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington & Esperanza Spalding – SFJAZZ – March 12th – 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST

Three mightily talented women take to the stage for this 2018 concert from SFJAZZ. Pianist Geri Allen, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and bassist Esperanza Spalding perform the music of Wayne Shorter, Bob Dorough and an Allen original in this Fridays at Five concert.

SFJAZZ has added a rebroadcast of these shows to their schedule. So if you can’t see the concert on Friday, you’ll have a second chance to see it on Saturday, March 13th at 1:00 PM EST/10:00 AM PST.

A gentle reminder that you need to sign up for either a one-month digital membership ($5) or an annual membership ($60) to view these weekly concerts.

JAZZ: Jane Monheit Come What May Album Release Concert – Feinstein’s at Vitello’s – March 12th – 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST

Vocalist Jane Monheit has released her 12th album, Come What May, and she will be celebrating with a live concert streaming from Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Los Angeles.

On the album she performs the standards Let’s Face the Music and Dance, The Nearness of You and my personal favorite song, Lush Life.

For those who want even more of Monheit, there’s an Encore After Show where she will join Brad Roen for a post-performance conversation.

Tickets for the concert are $36.75. Tickets for Encore After Show are $26.75. (Prices include service charges).

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale – Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra – Debuts March 12th – 9:30 PM EST/6:30 PM PST

On paper this appears to be the most ambitious of LACO’s Close Quarters series. Igor Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale is over an hour in length. Based on a Russian folk tale, the work tells the story of a a soldier who makes a deal with the devil. The devil offers him wealth in exchange for the soldier’s fiddle. As written The Soldier’s Tale calls for seven musicians, three actors and one or more dancers.

For this film LACO is collaborating with Robey Theatre Company. Ben Guillory will serve as the narrator. Julio Hanson plays the soldier. William Warren plays the devil.

Because this is part of James Darrah‘s exploration of new ways to present classical music, LACO has added another collaborator to this film: artist Huimeng Wang. I’m excited to see her contribution which is described on the website as: “Wang’s work features a grand piano being dramatically and violently destroyed by gunfire before being reborn with stunning deep red velvet flocking.”

For those who want to dive deeper into this work, there is a pre-broadcast talk with the three actors and LACO principal trumpeter David Washburn. The live conversation will happen at 8:30 PM EST/5:30 PM PST on March 12th in advance of the premiere. You must register to see the live conversation as it will be available on Zoom. If you’re unable to catch it live, it will be available for viewing afterwards.

There’s no charge for any of this programming. Donations to LACO are encouraged.

BROADWAY VOCALS: Sutton Foster in Concert – Live From Lincoln Center on PBS – March 12th – Check local listings

BROADWAY VOCALS: Stephanie J. Block in Concert – Live from Lincoln Center on PBS – March 12th – Check local listings

Two Tony Award stars appear in their own Live from Lincoln Center concerts this weekend.

Sutton Foster, who will be starring opposite Hugh Jackman in the upcoming revival of The Music Man, appears in a concert from April 2018. She has appeared in the musicals Thoroughly Modern Millie, Little Women, The Drowsy Chaperone, Young Frankenstein, Shrek the Musical, Anything Goes and Violet. She won her Tony Awards for Thoroughly Modern Millie and Anything Goes.

Joining her as a special guest in the concert will be Jonathan Groff (most recently seen on stage in an off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors.

Stephanie J. Block won her Tony Award for her performance as “Star” in The Cher Show. She made her Broadway debut as Liza Minnelli in The Boy From Oz (which also starred Jackman). She’s also appeared in Wicked, The Pirate Queen, 9 to 5, Anything Goes (she took over the role of Reno Sweeney when Foster left the production), The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Falsettos.

As with all PBS programming, best to check your local listings for exact airtime and dates.

JAZZ: Jeremy Pelt Quintet – SmallsLive – March 13th – 5:00 PM EST/2:00 PM PST and 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST

Jazz trumpeter Jeremy Pelt just released a new record entitled Griot – This is Important! It’s a combination of spoken word and instrumentals. It’s a stunning album.

Will selections from Griot be on the setlist for these two shows from Smalls in New York?

Whatever he chooses to play it will be with his incredibly beautiful phrasing and emotion.

Joining Pelt for these two shows are Vicente Archer on bass; Victor Gould on piano; Chien Chien Lu on vibraphone and Allan Mednard on drums.

There’s no charge to watch these shows. Those who can donate can make “reservations” for the show.

PLAY: The Year of Magical Thinking – Keen Company – March 13th – 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST

Writer Joan Didion shared her own experiences and thoughts after suffering several tragedies in her life in her book The Year of Magical Thinking. The emotional book was turned into an one-person show. Vanessa Redgrave starred in the play on Broadway in 2007.

This weekend the equally talented Kathleen Chalfant (Angels in America) will take on the role in a live streaming event for Off-Broadway’s Keen Company.

I saw Redgrave perform the show in the months after her own daughter’s (Natasha Richardson) tragic death in 2009. It’s an incredibly moving work. After a year with the pandemic and quarantines, I can only imagine how much more deeply and personally we will all respond to this work on Saturday.

Tickets are $25 and will include a post-show talkback with Chalfant and director Jonathan Silverstein.

CLASSICAL MUSIC: A Bartók Journey – Tesla Quartet – March 13th – 7:30 PM EST/4:00 PM PST

Tesla Quartet musicians Edwin Kaplan (viola); Michelle Lie (violin); Serafim Smigelskiy (cello) and Ross Snyder (violin) are embarking this weekend on a six week series of exploring, rehearsing and performing all six of Béla Bartók’s string quartets.

This weekend beings, for obvious reasons, with the String Quartet No. 1 in A Minor, op. 7. For those interested in watching them rehearse the work, they will be streaming that on March 12th at 1:00 PM EST/10:00 AM PST.

There’s no charge to watch any of the events of this six-week series. You do, however, need to register. You can do so in the link built into A Bartók Journey. You will also find details for the entire series there.

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Narek Hakhnazaryan and Armine Grigoryan – Shriver Hall Concert Series – Debuts March 14th – 5:30 PM EDT/2:30 PM PDT

Cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan made a name for himself by winning the Cello First Prize and Gold Medal at the 2011 International Tchaikovsky Competition. He will be performing as part of the Shriver Hall Concert Series with pianist Armine Grigoryan. She, too, is an award-winning musician.

On Sunday’s program will be Beethoven’s Seven Variations in E-Flat Major on Mozart’s “Dei Männem”; Schumann’s Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70; Franck’s Sonata for Violin and Cello; E. Bagdasaryan’s Nocture and A. Arutyunian’s Impromptu.

Tickets are $15. There will be a post-performance conversation. This concert will remain available through March 21st.

BROADWAY VOCALS: Emily Skinner – Seth Concert Series – March 14th – 3:00 PM EDT/12:00 PM PDT

Broadway fans first became aware of Emily Skinner as one-half of the conjoined Hilton twins in the musical Side Show. Skinner received a shared Tony nomination for Best Actress with co-star Alice Ripley. (After all, how could you separate their performances?)

She continued dazzling audiences with performances in James Joyce’s The Dead, The Full Monty, Prince of Broadway and The Cher Show.

She is Seth Rudetsky’s guest for this weekend’s live streaming concert and conversation show. The program will air live on Sunday at 3:00 PM EDT. If you are unable to watch the show then, there is a rebroadcast on Sunday at 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT.

MUSICALS: Passing Through – Goodspeed Musicals – March 15th – April 4th

A young man decides he wants to walk from Pennsylvania to California with a sign on his backpack that says, “Walking to Listen.” Wouldn’t it be nice if more people wanted to listen these days? Anyway, along the way he documented his many encounters with people and their stories.

Upon hearing about Andrew Forsthoefel, who took this trip unsure about what to do with his life post-college, composer/lyricist Brett Ryback and book writer Eric Ulloa knew immediately there was a musical in this true story.

Passing Through is the result of their collaboration. Goodspeed Musicals presented a workshop production of the musical in the summer of 2019. A film of that production will be available for streaming on demand starting on March 15th and running through April 4th.

Max Chernin stars as Andrew. The cast includes Joan Almedilla, Reed Armstrong, Ryan Duncan, Linedy Genao, Charles Gray, Garrett Long, Mary Jo Mecca, Celeste Rose, Jim Stanek and the incomparable Jennifer Leigh Warren. Igor Goldin directed and the choreography is by Marcos Santana.

Tickets are $25 and allow for 72 hours of streaming. Your time begins when you first start watching Passing Through.

BROADWAY REUNION: The Bridges of Madison County – The Jesse Walker Show – March 15th – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

Jesse Walker will celebrate his 20th anniversary of his eponymous talk show with a reunion of the cast and creative team of the musical The Bridges of Madison County. Participating in the reunion are Kelli O’Hara, Steven Pasquale, Hunter Foster, Caitlin Kinnunen and Derek Klena. Composer Jason Robert Brown, librettist Marsha Norman and director Bartlett Sher will also be joining.

Brown won two Tony Awards for his original score and its orchestrations. O’Hara also received one of the show’s four nominations.

The Bridges of Madison County didn’t run as long as it should have, but its legions of fans will definitely want to tune-in to this reunion which will raise funds for The Actors Fund.

OPERA: For the Love of Opera: Celebrating RBG’s 88th Birthday – Lowell Milken Center of American Jewish Experience at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music/National Museum of American Jewish History/Opera Philadelphia – March 15th – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

Liza’s not the only one being feted. So is the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It wasn’t just law that she loved, it was also opera. To celebrate what would have been RBG’s 88th birthday, a program of arias from operas that address issues of social justice, equality and more will be performed.

The program is set to include arias from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore; Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Mozart’s Le nozze de Figaro and Cosí fan tutte, Verdi’s Falstaff, Menotti’s The Consul and a song from the Flaherty and Aherns musical Ragtime.

Performers are Joshua Blue (tenor), Norman Garrett (baritone), Michelle Rice (soprano) and Ashley Marie Robillard (soprano). Pianists Stephen Karr and Grant Loehnig will accompany on piano.

The event will be presented via Zoom, so you will need to register to see it. The program will become available on demand shortly after its conclusion on the various venues’ social media pages.

VARIETY: Jim Caruso’s Pajama Cast Party – March 15th – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM EDT

If you want even more of jazz vocalist Jane Monheit, you’ll want to join this week’s edition of Jim Caruso’s Pajama Cast Party. She’ll be singing songs from Come What May and sharing stories with Caruso. The two are longtime friends. Monheit is a semi-regular performer when Cast Party happens live at Birdland in New York. (I’ve seen here there myself.)

Also joining this week at magician Dana Daniels, actor/singer Shu Q and Broadway actor Michael Winther (the upcoming Flying Over Sunset).

The show is free to watch and is always a delight.

Are you overwhelmed yet? I hope not, because I have a couple reminders before we go:

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Violinist Gil Shaham and The Knights perform works by Beethoven and Boulogne in a concert that began streaming from New York’s 92nd Street Y on Thursday. The concert will remain available through March 18th. (Next week I’ll have an interview with Shaham. Check back for that.)

OPERA: The Metropolitan Opera concludes its week celebrating Verismo Passions with Umberto Giordano’s Fedora on Friday and his Andrea Chénier on Saturday and Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca on Sunday. Monday they will launch Viewer’s Choice week with the 2009 production of Jacques Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann

Liza’s Birthday, RBG’s Birthday…and whole lot in between. Maybe this time you really did get lucky! After all, life is a cabaret old chum! Have a great weekend!

Photo: Liza Minnelli in the film version of “Cabaret” (Courtesy Liza Minnelli’s Facebook page)

The post Four Days of Best Bets: March 12th – March 15th appeared first on Cultural Attaché.

One reason for this is our Top Pick this week actually happens on Monday. It’s a reunion of the original off-Broadway cast of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s musical Assassins.

There’s literally something for everyone this week with options for jazz, classical music, opera, dance, ballet and two top Broadway stars perform as well.

Here are the Best Bets: March 5th – March 8th:

*TOP PICK* – Assassins Reunion – Studio Tenn Theatre Company – March 8th – 8:00 EST/5:00 PM PST

On Monday, Studio Tenn Theatre in Franklin, Tennesse will be streaming a reunion of eleven of the original cast members of the Playwrights Horizon production of Assassins including: Victor Garber, Greg Germann, Annie Golden, Lyn Greene, Jonathan Hadary, Eddie Korbich, Terrence Mann, Debra Monk, William Parry and Lee Wilkof.

If you’re wondering why a theatre in Tennessee is holding this event, Studio Tenn Theatre’s Artistic Director is Patrick Cassidy who originated the role of The Balladeer in that production. He’s participating, of course.

If you aren’t familiar with the Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman musical Assassins, you should be. The show opened in December of 1990 at Playwrights Horizon in New York. It’s a musical that features successful and would-be presidential assassins as its subject matter. Yes, the likes of John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald and Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme had their stories musicalized.

Sondheim and Weidman along with director Jerry Zaks, music director Paul Gemignani and orchestrator Michael Starobin will also participate.

The following clip is from Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall and features Patrick Cassidy and Victor Garber.

As Frank Rich explained in his New York Times review, “In Assassins, a daring work even by his lights, Mr. Sondheim and his collaborator, the writer John Weidman, say the unthinkable, though they sometimes do so in a deceptively peppy musical-comedy tone. Without exactly asking that the audience sympathize with some of the nation’s most notorious criminals, this show insists on reclaiming them as products, however defective, of the same values and traditions as the men they tried to murder.”

The timing of Assassins‘ opening wasn’t terrific. With the first Gulf War raging, producers didn’t believe audiences would be so interested in the show – even though the off-Broadway performances sold out.

Many consider the addition of the song, Something Just Broke, as a key to the musical’s emotional core. That song was added by Sondheim for the 1992 Donmar Warehouse Production. In a 1994 production in Toronto the characters of Lee Harvey Oswald and The Balladeer began to be played by the same actor.

Theatergoers did finally embrace the show, as did many critics, when the Roundabout Theatre staged the first Broadway production in 2004. That production would go on to win five Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical.

Given recent events in the past year, particularly the riot in Washington, D.C. on January 6th, this musical will be more topical than ever.

There is no charge to watch this reunion, however donations are certainly encouraged.

DANCE: ‘kwirē/ – REDCAT – Now – March 6th

This solo work by dancer/choreographer Jessica Emmanuel finds the dancer seeking details about her past from her ancestors. ‘kwirē/ takes place in a dystopian world. Most information about public and personal history along with ancestral information has long ago been destroyed. Very few human beings are still alive. Through dance and sound, Emmanuel utilizes natural resources to reconnect with her own memories and her DNA.

Emmanuel is Los Angeles-based and has worked with Poor Dog Group, Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre and countless other companies.

There are two performances this weekend available for streaming: Friday at 11:30 PM EST/8:30 PM PST and Saturday at 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST. Tickets are $15 for general admission; $12 for REDCAT members and students and $8 for CalArts students, faculty and staff.

BALLET: Wooden Dimes World Premiere – San Francisco Ballet – Now – March 24th

As part of their digital programming, San Francisco Ballet is presenting the world premiere of choreographer/director Danielle Rowe’s Wooden Dimes. Joining this work are two archived works: Symphony #9 by Alexei Ratmansky and Swimmer by Yuri Possokhov.

Symphony #9 had its world premiere by American Ballet Theatre in 2012. It is set to composer Dmitri Shostakovich’s 9th Symphony.

Ratmansky is a former dancer who went on to be the artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet in 2004. He joined ABT in 2009 as Artist in Residence.

Symphony #9 features a cast of 21 dancers with two couples in the lead and a solo male. Can you dance to Shostakovich?

Wooden Dimes by Rowe features the music of composer James M. Stephenson. Not much is officially known about Wooden Dimes except that it takes place in the roaring 20s, is a backstage story and that it title comes from the expression “Don’t take any wooden nickels.”

On Stephenson’s website, he says the ballet is about Fanny Brice (the actress brought to life by Barbra Streisand in the stage and film musical Funny Girl).

Swimmer as 1960s pop culture in its sightline. Posskhov, is a former dancer with both the Bolshoi Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet. He’s a very popular choreographer with SF Ballet and this work, which dates to 2015, is immensely popular.

His work is set to music by Shinji Eshima, Kathleen Brennan, Gavin Bryars and Tom Waits.

Tickets are $29 and allow for 72 hours of access.

PLAY: Jericho – New Normal Rep – Now – April 4th

In Jack Canfora’s play, Jericho, a family gathers for Thanksgiving in the aftermath of the September 11th tragedy. While that sounds like heavy material, Canfora infuses the play with generous amounts of humor and compassion. The play had its world premiere at the New Jersey Repertory Theatre in 2011.

Appearing in this reading of Jericho are C. K. Allen, Jill Eikenberry, Eleanor Handley, Jason O’Connel, Michael Satow and Carol Todd. Directing is Marsha Mason.

Anita Gates, in her New York Times review of the play said, “Mr. Canfora has delivered a smart, hard-hitting drama filled with biting wit. One character says: ‘It’s an oxymoron. Like jumbo shrimp or Fox News.’ The best jokes consist of wordplay with expletives that are not printable here. But to give you a sense of the tone, one character, Jessica, complains in Act I that her husband considers her occasional viewing of the celebrity-gossip show Access Hollywood ‘the moral equivalent of sodomizing kittens.’

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

OPERA: The Marriage of Figaro – Royal Opera House – March 5th – April 4th

Conducted by Ivor Bolton; starring Erwin Schrott, Sophie Bevan, Stéphane Degout, Ellie Dehn, Kate Lindsey and Carlo Lepore. This revival of David McVicar’s 2006 production is from the 2015-2016 season.

Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro is based on the 1784 play La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro (translated: “The Mad Day, or The Marriage of Figaro”) by Pierre Beaumarchais.

Lorenzo da Ponte wrote the libretto. La Nozze di Figaro had its world premiere in Vienna in 1786.

Figaro and Susanna are getting married. They are in a room made available to them by the Count who plans to seduce the bride-to-be based on an old law that gave permission to lords to have sex with servant girls on their wedding night. When Figaro gets wind of this plan he enlists several people to outwit the Count using disguises, altered identities and more.

Tim Ashley, in his review for The Guardian, said, “At the centre of it all, however, lies a grand confrontation between Erwin Schrott’s Figaro, and Stéphane Degout’s Count. Schrott’s interpretation has also changed somewhat since he last sang the role here. There’s less political anger, more manipulative wit: he sings Se Vuol Ballare with bemused irony rather than scorn, not so much as a manifesto, but as a prelude to a game that turns increasingly dangerous. Degout, a wonderfully patrician singer with a handsome, ringing tone, has an innate charm that can turn to menace in a flash: it’s a superbly accomplished characterisation.

Tickets are £3 which equates to approximately $4.20.

JAZZ/EXPERIMENTAL: Laurie Anderson and Tammy L. Hall – SFJAZZ – March 5th – 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST

In 2018 Laurie Anderson served as Resident Artistic Director for SFJAZZ. Over the course of one week in late November she performed and curated a series of concerts. Amongst them was Songs for Women.

Anderson was inspired to create Songs for Women after hearing Tammy L. Hall’s song For Miss Jones.

From there a musical collaboration was born with songs written for and about women by both artists.

Laurie Anderson is known for her innovative films and recordings including Big Science, Strange Angels and Home of the Brave.

SFJAZZ will stream this concert as part of their Fridays at Five series. You must have either monthly digital membership ($5) or an annual digital membership ($60) to stream this and all other Fridays at Five concerts.

BROADWAY/VOCALS: Leslie Odom Jr. in Concert – PBS – March 5th (Check local listings)

Tony Award winner Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton) performs Live From Lincoln Center in this concert which originally aired in 2018. But don’t expect to hear all of his songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s juggernaut of a musical. This performance showcases Odom’s jazz and soul chops.

As with all PBS programming, best to check your local listings. For instance, in Los Angeles this show is not scheduled to run until March 11th and 12th.

OPERA: Das Rheingold – San Francisco Opera – March 6th – March 7th

San Francisco Opera streams their 2018 production of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle with each of the four operas available in successive weeks. The first opera is, of course, Das Rheingold.

Conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles; starring Greer Grimsley, Jamie Barton, Falk Struckmann, Ronnita Miller and Stefan Margita.

This revival of Francesca Zambello’s 2011 production is from the 2017-2018 season.

This is the first in Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen (also known as The Ring Cycle). As with all four of these operas, Wagner wrote the music and the libretto. Das Rheingold had its world premiere in 1869 in Munich. It was premiered as a stand-alone opera. The first performance of the entire cycle was at Bayreuth in 1876.

Alberich is a dwarf who renounces love in his successful effort to take gold from the Rhinemaidens and have possession of a ring bestowing power to the wearer. With this one action, he sets in motion the storyline that runs through all four operas in the Ring Cycle. Fafner and Fasolt are the giants who built Valhalla. The long-suffering Wotan is introduced here as are the challenges the gods face in repaying the architects of Valhalla. When the ring is stolen from Alberich he puts a curse on it and on anyone who takes possession of it.

Zambello sets this production in the American west beginning with the Gold Rush and ending with the tech age.

All four operas in the Ring Cycle will be presented in order on consecutive weekends. There is also a Ring Festival with additional programs. You can find details about that here.

DANCE/CLASSICAL MUSIC: Sasha Waltz & Guests in C – Bang on a Can Website – March 6th – 2:00 PM EST/11:00 AM PST

If you thought dancing to Shostakovich was intriguing, how about dancing to Terry Riley’s In C? It’s a work that has an undefined length. Riley wrote 53 different musical phrases. They are all numbered. It is up to the musicians performing the work to figure out exactly how long they want to play each phrase, in what order and when they start.

Choreographer Sasha Waltz, Co-Director of the Staatsballett Berlin with Johannes Öhman for the 2019-2020 season, is using a recording of In C by Bang on a Can for this live-streaming performance from Berlin. Here’s how she explains what this project is:

“The score of In C consists of fifty-three musical phrases and reads like stage directions for musicians. The thought of translating these detailed instructions into dance through a choreographic exploration of the music appealed to me. The result is an experimental system of fifty-three movement phrases for a structured improvisation with clear rules and laws. The length of the piece remains variable, as does the number of musicians and dancers.”

There is no charge to watch the performance, but donations are encouraged.

DANCE: Israel Galván/Maestro de Barra, Servir el Baile – CapUCLA – March 6th – 10:00 PM EST/7:00 PM PST

To get a sense of flamenco dancer/choreographer Israel Galván, let’s turn to an interview he gave Dance Magazine in 2019 where he told them:

“I know it sounds odd, but I think I dance because I don’t like to dance. It’s not logical, but there is something freeing in accepting that. I literally cannot remember a time in my life when I didn’t dance. I’ve danced since I’ve had consciousness. It’s simply in my DNA. And you can’t escape what you are.

“I was always going to be a dancer, but my saving grace as an adult is that I don’t feel any pressure. I feel total freedom when it comes to how I choose to dance. As long as people continue asking me to perform, I will, but it has to be on my terms.”

His terms will be on full display on Saturday when CAP UCLA offers up Maestro de Barra Servir el Baile which roughly translated means Master of the Bar, Serving the Dance. This is Galván’s way of keeping dance alive during the pandemic. He utilizes the concept of music and dance as played out in cafes and bars around the world for this work.

There is no charge to stream this performance, however donations are encouraged.

BROADWAY/VOCALS: Eva Noblezada – Seth Concert Series – March 7th – 3:00 PM EST/12:00 PM PST with an encore at 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST $25

If you were lucky enough to see Hadestown on Broadway before theatres closed in New York, you got to experience the wonderfully talented Eva Noblezada. She received her second Tony Award nomination for her performance as Eurydice in the musical.

Her first nomination came for her performance as Kim in the 2017 revival of Miss Saigon.

Noblezada is Seth Rudetsky’s guest for this weekend’s conversation and performance program.

Tickets are $25. Note that the schedule has changed a little for these performances (at least through the month of March.) The live show is in the afternoon on Sunday and the encore stream of the performance is Sunday evening.

JAZZ: Alan Broadbent Trio – Smalls Live – March 7th – 5:00 PM EST/2:00 PM PST and 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST

For nearly 50 years, pianist Alan Broadbent has been making great music. He’s worked as a bandleader and has collaborated with some of the biggest names in multiple genres of music. That list would include David Byrne, Kristin Chenoweth, Natalie Cole, Charlie Haden, Shirley Horn, Diana Krall, Linda Ronstadt and Barbra Streisand.

If you haven’t heard his solo recording, Heart to Heart from 2013, I suggest you do so. It’s beautiful.

For these two sets at New York’s Smalls Broadbent will be joined by Billy Mintz on drums and Harvie S on bass.

You can make reservations for either streaming show (which includes a donation), or you can wait for the show to just go live at the link above.

That does it for Best Bets: March 5th – March 8th. But I want to remind you of a few other options I’ve already covered this week:

The Los Angeles Philharmonic begins the second season of Sound/Stage on Friday, March 5th with a performance of Camille Saint-Saëns’ The Carnival of the Animals. Yuja Wang and David Fung join Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic for this performance filmed on the stage at the Hollywood Bowl.

CaltechLive! has begun streaming Herbert Sigüenza’s A Weekend with Pablo Picasso. You can read our full preview here and my interview with Sigüenza here.

The 25th anniversary celebration of Rent will remain available through 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST on Saturday, March 6th.

This weekend’s offerings from the Metropolitan Opera where they are celebrating Women’s History Month are Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes from the 2007-2008 season on Friday; Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka from the 2013-2014 season on Saturday and Giuseppe Verdi’s La Forza del Destino from the 1983-1984 season on Sunday.

With our new line-up extending to Monday, here’s a preview of next week at the Metropolitan Opera: Monday’s production is Giacomo Puccini’s Manon Lescaut from the 1979-1980 season and kicks off Week 52 at the Met with the theme Verismo Passions.

I hope you enjoy your weekend and enjoy whichever of my Best Bets: March 5th – March 8th interest you the most! Have fun!

Main photo: The cast of the Playwright’s Horizon production of Assassins (Photo courtesy Studio Tenn Theatre Company)

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This weekend I have a great mix of classical music, jazz, plays and a new musical revue celebrating composer Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly!). Once you catch up on my reminders you can add opera and musicals to the list!

So let’s get right to it. Here are the Best Bets at Home: January 8th – January 10th:

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Close Quarters #5 – Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra – Available Now

LACO continues their series of unique films that include performances of chamber music works. In Close Quarters #5, the music of Juan Pablo Contreras, Jimmy López and Jessie Montgomery is performed. Surrounding the performances is the story of a young woman on New Year’s Eve who finds herself alone after leaving a party and unsure of how she’s going to get home.

Contreras, whose work Pueblos Mágicos is the last piece performed in the film, curated the program. López’s Ccantu for solo piano opens the film. Montgomery’s Voodoo Dolls is between the two. All three pieces are terrific. I took particular joy in Pueblos Mágicos.

James Darrah directed the 42-minute film. The script was written by Christopher Oscar Peña and beautifully captures that emotional roller coaster that one experiences when left alone and is having to find acceptance and strength to move beyond. Note that there is strong language in the film.

AUDIO PLAY: The Nomad Project – Coeurage Ensemble – Available Now

Los Angeles-based Coeurage Ensemble has launched a very interesting series called The Nomad Project. The project consists of 10 stories based in Los Angeles and runs approximately 10-12 minutes.

Each of the stories is written to reflect a specific area of the city. By specific I mean down to GPS coordinates. This allows listeners to either listen from the comfort of their home or travel to those coordinates to hear the stories played out. Amongst the locations are Hollywood Boulevard & Western Avenue; the Walt Disney Concert Hall; outside the Faultline Bar; Sun Valley and more.

The playwrights who have created audio plays for The Nomad Project are Boni B. Alvarez, Kate Bailey, Mark Brown, Meghan Brown, June Carryl, Aaron Fullerton, Tom Jacobson, Ann Kimbrough, Roger Q. Mason, Shahrook Oomer and Yael Zinkow.

There’s no cost to listen to these audio plays. Donations, of course, are always welcomed.

MUSICAL: Closer Than Ever – MNM Theatre Company – Now – January 10th

When Closer Than Ever opened in 1989 at the Cherry Lane Theatre, it charmed critics and went on to be named the 1990 Outer Critics Circle Award Winner for Best New Off-Broadway Musical. The completely sung-through show features songs by Richard Maltby, Jr., and David Shire (Baby, Starting Here Starting Now).

Closer Than Ever examines adult life vis-a-vis songs about marriage, divorce and second marriages, mid-life crisis, growing old and more. Maltby and Shire based the songs on the lives of their friends.

Florida’s MNM Theatre Company has produced a streaming version of this musical that will be available through Sunday.  Aaron Bower, Johnbarry Green, Shelley Keelor and Elijah Word star. Jonathan Van Dyke directed.

Tickets are $20 and allow for 48 hours of streaming.

PLAY: Making Friends – IAMA Theatre Company – Now – January 18th

Seems like everyone is angry these days. Count amongst them Tom DeTrinis, who describes himself as a rage-aholic. In his one-man show, DeTrinis expunges some of that rage in very humorous was as he rants about transgressions from his childhood, his dislike of Rodgers & Hammerstein and particularly his disdain for New York City (rather ironic since he’s from NYC).

He portrays many of those who have offended him during this 67-minute show directed by Drew Droege. Note that this show contains adult material and language. Tickets start at $15 based on your ability to pay.

JAZZ: Chris Botti – SFJAZZ – January 8th – 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST

This week’s Fridays at Five concert from SFJAZZ dates back almost exactly one year. On January 10th, 2020, trumpeter Chris Botti performed at the venue. That concert will be streamed only once at the time listed above.

Botti is a Grammy Award winner and best-selling artist who, in addition to his own albums, has collaborated with Joshua Bell, Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, Lady Gaga, Yo-Yo Ma, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Sting, Barbra Streisand and more.

To view this concert you must have either a monthly membership ($5) or an annual membership ($60).

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Teatro alla Scala Orchestra – January 9th – 2:00 PM EST/11:00 AM PST

The orchestra from Milan’s fabled La Scala has a streaming concert on Saturday. The program will feature performances of Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90 and Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70. Leading the orchestra is conductor Lorenzo Viotti.

The concert will be available for viewing on the Teatro alla Scala website, their YouTube channel and their Facebook page.

If you can’t see the concert as it happens, they usually remain available for a few days afterwards.

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Anne Akiko Meyers and Fabio Bidini – The Sorting Room Sessions at The Wallis – January 9th – 11:00 PM EST/8:00 PM PST

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and pianist Fabio Bidini team up for this intimate recital of music by French composers. On the program is Charles Gounod’s Ave Maria; Maurice Ravel’s Sonata No.2 in G Major and Jules Massenet’s Meditation from Thaïs.

Meyers has released over 30 albums. Her most recent recording is Estonian Lullaby which features the music of Arvo Pärt and was released earlier this year.

Italian pianist Bidini has released 13 albums and in addition to his performance career, teaches at Los Angeles’ Colburn School

Tickets are $25 and allow for 24 hours of streaming.

JAZZ: Exploring Billie’s Influence – 92nd Street Y – January 10th – 3:00 PM EST/12:00 PM PST

Grammy Award-winner Christian McBride hosts a conversation about the legendary Billie Holiday with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves and Cassandra Wilson.

All three women have recorded albums as tributes to Lady Day. Let’s be honest, what female jazz singer can ignore the enormous impact Holiday had on all singers?

Will there be any singing? It doesn’t appear so from the website, but given the enormous talent on stage, this will be a riveting conversation with our without performances.

Tickets are $15.

JAZZ: Neal Caine Quartet – Smalls Live – January 10th – 5:00 PM EST/2:00 PM PST and 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST

Jazz bassist Neal Caine is not only one of jazz music’s finest bass players, he’s also one of its most in-demand. Caine has performed and/or recorded with Jon Batiste and Stay Human; Brian Blade; Betty Carter; Harry Connick, Jr. Big Band; Benny Green; Dr. John; Elvin Jones Jazz Machine; Diana Krall, Branford Marsalis; Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet; Ellis Marsalis Trio; Wynton Marsalis;

If you haven’t heard his 2005 album Backstabber’s Ball, you should check it out.

Joining him for these two sets at New York’s Smalls are Donald Edwards on drums; Jerry Weldon on tenor sax and Anthony Wonsey on piano.

If you can afford to make a “reservation” for either performance, those funds go to the venue and the musicians. Otherwise, you can find the performances streaming live on Small’s website.

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Piano Sonata by Philip Glass – CAP UCLA – January 10th – 6:00 PM EST/3:00 PM PST

The world premiere of composer Philip Glass‘ first piano sonata took place in 2019 in Germany. The piece was performed by pianist Maki Namekawa who asked the composer to write the sonata for her.

She returns to the work in this special filmed performance that was recorded live in Austria for CAP UCLA.

The sonata came into being after a conversation Namekawa and her husband, Dennis Russell Davies, had with the composer in the back of a restaurant in 2017.

Zachary Woolfe, in his New York Times review of the sonata’s first American performance by Namekawa in 2019, said, “For all the work’s switches of mood — between major and minor, churning and calm — the stakes feel low, though not unagreeably. Even when it’s headlong, as in the chugga-chugga perpetual motion of the third movement, the work is light, even superficial, a revue of Glassian riffs that’s pleasant and passing. While it’s imposing, at nearly 30 minutes, the sonata feels larky.”

MUSICAL: You I Like, A Musical Celebration Of Jerry Herman – Pasadena Playhouse/PlayhouseLive – January 10th – February 7th

Jerry Herman was the Tony Award-winning composer of such musicals as Hello, Dolly!, Mame, Mack and Mabel and La Cage aux Folles. He passed away in late 2019. This revue of his music was created by Andy Einhorn and had its first performance at New York’s 92nd Street Y early last year. Einhorn has reworked the show and it was filmed by Pasadena Playhouse for their Playhouse Live programming.

Starring in You I Like are Ashley Blanchet (Frozen), Nick Christopher (Hamilton), Olivier Award-winner Lesli Margherita (Matilda The Musical), Andrea Ross (The Sound of Music) and Ryan Vona (Once). Einhorn serves as music director and our guide through the show. (Next week look for my interview with Einhorn!)

Songs from all those musicals listed above are in the show as are some rarer songs from his early work like Parade and Milk and Honey. There are also songs from his lesser-known musicals such as The Grand Tour.

On the virtual opening night there will be a Q&A with Bernadette Peters (who appeared in the recently revival of Hello, Dolly! and also Mack and Mabel) and David Hyde Pierce (also in Hello, Dolly!) with Einhorn and Pasadena Playhouse’s Danny Feldman.

Tickets are $29.99 to watch the virtual opening. All other viewings will be $24.99.

That’s my list of the Best Bets at Home: January 8th – January 10th. But, of course, there are a few reminders:

David Bowie fans will not want to miss his musical Lazarus, which is being made available for three performances this weekend from DiceFM. For full details go to my preview here.

New York’s 9th annual Prototype Festival launches this weekend with an intriguing program of new works. My preview has full details.

The Public Theater’s Under the Radar Festival has begun and I have a full rundown of the programming available.

The operas available this weekend from the Metropolitan Opera from this week’s Epic Rivalries theme. They are Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni and Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo on Friday; Gaetano Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda on Saturday and Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore on Sunday. You can find full details here.

Here’s to taking a break, enjoying some great performances and recharging ourselves!

Enjoy the Best Bets at Home: January 8th – January 10th and enjoy your weekend.

Photo: Lesli Margherita, Andrea Ross, Ryan Vona, Nicholas Christopher, Ashley Blanchet, and Andy Einhorn in You I Like: A Musical Celebration of Jerry Herman (Photo by Jeff Lorch/Courtesy Playhouse Live)

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We have fifteen different options for you this week. Attention Margaret Cho fans, we will tell you how to start and end your weekend with her.

Here are your Best Bets at Home: November 6th – November 8th:

Solitude – LA Philharmonic’s Sound/Stage – November 6th

This week’s filmed performance from the Hollywood Bowl finds Gustavo Dudamel leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a program entitled Solitude. There are two works being performed and they both look at the idea of being alone in very different ways.

First up is the American premiere of Dawn by Thomas Adés. The work had its world premiere earlier this year in a performance by the London Symphony Orchestra conduced by Simon Rattle. It’s designed for our socially distant times and for an orchestra of indeterminate size.

Dawn will be followed by Duke Ellington’s Solitude as arranged by Morton Gould. It’s one of Ellington’s finest.

Both of these works are less than ten minutes. This will be a shorter Sound/Stage, but who wants to spend more time than that alone?

As a reminder, previous episodes of Sound/Stage are also available for viewing.

Virtual Halston – November 6th – 5:00 PM EST/2:00 PM PST

After a couple weeks off to shoot a film, Julie Halston returns with Virtual Halston. Her guest this week is Margaret Cho.

For the uninitiated, Halston holds an on-line salon where pithy conversation and witty repartee are the main ingredients. (Of course, I’d suggest having a martini in hand, too.)

Whether you know Cho for her music, her stand-up comedy, her film and television appearances or her activism, you know she’s smart, funny and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

There’s no charge to watch Virtual Halston. However, donations are encouraged and proceeds will go to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

Midori and Ieva Jokubaviciute – 92 Street Y – November 6th – 7:30 PM EST/4:30 PM PST

Violinist Midori and pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute perform works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, César Franck and Edvard Grieg in this recital.

Midori and Jokubaviciute have been collaborating since 2016. What began as a handful of recitals in Canada, Columbia, Germany and Austria has turned into worldwide performances together.

Grieg is first with his Sonata No. 2 in G Major, Op. 13. This three-movement sonata was written in what is now called Oslo in 1867.

Mozart follows with Sonata in E-flat Major, K. 302. This two-movement sonata was composed in 1778.

Franck closes the program with his Sonata in A Major. This four-movement sonata was written in 1886 as a wedding gift from the composer. It’s first public performance was in December of the same year.

Tickets are $15.

Alan Broadbent and Don Falzone – Mezzrow – November 6th – November 7th

Pianist Alan Broadbent and bassist Don Falzone will be performing four sets between Friday and Saturday night live from Mezzrow in New York City. There are sets each night at 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST and 9:00 PM EST/6:00 PM PST.

If your first introduction to Broadbent was his Grammy Award-winning arrangement for Natalie Cole’s When I Fall In Love, you might be surprised to learn he’s been closely involved with some of the most celebrated music of all-time. Sometimes as a pianist, other times as an arranger.

A diverse list of his collaborators would include David Byrne, Charlie Haden, Woody Herman, Diana Kroll, Linda Ronstadt, Rod Stewart and Barbra Streisand. He’s also recorded 26 records as a leader.

In addition to working with Broadbent, Falzone has worked with David Lindley, Eric Person and Rufus Wainwright.

There is no cost to watch the performance, though donations are encouraged. Sponsorship tickets are also available at $40.

The link in the heading is for Friday night’s shows. To access Saturday night’s shows, please go here.

José James Celebrates Bill Withers – SFJAZZ – November 6th – 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST

When this 2019 concert took place at SFJAZZ, James was supporting his 2018 album Lean on Me which celebrated Bill Withers. This concert, part of SFJAZZ’s Fridays at Five series, will be a bit more melancholy than it was originally as we lost Withers earlier this year.

The album found James performing classic Withers songs like Ain’t No Sunshine, Lovely Day, Just the Two of Us and the title track.

I enjoy James and his music, whether he’s performing jazz or soul or hip-hop influenced material. I’m looking forward to this concert.

SFJAZZ asks that you become a member to enjoy their Fridays at Five concerts. Membership is $5 for one month of shows or $60 for a full year. It’s a bargain in my book.

Fred Hersch – Village Vanguard – November 6th – November 7th

Jazz pianist Fred Hersch is offering two different performances this weekend from New York’s Village Vanguard. On Friday night he’ll be performing solo on the piano.

His latest album, Songs from Home, was released on Friday. The project finds him recording in quarantine from his home. Songs by Jimmy Webb, Joni Mitchell, Cole Porter, The Beatles and Duke Ellington’s Solitude are included on the record.

On Saturday night he’ll be performing with saxophonist Miguel Zenón.

Zenón has released twelve albums as a leader – the most recent being 2019’s Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera. He’s toured and recorded with numerous artists including David Gilmore, Charlie Haden, Danilo Pérez, Antonio Sánchez, Kenny Werner and Fred Hersch. He was named Jazz Artist of the Year on the 2014 Jazz Times Critics Poll.

Tickets for each concert are $10 and include the ability to stream the performance for 24 hours.

One Man, Two Guvnors – PBS Great Performances – November 6th – check local listings

I’ve written about this hilarious play starring James Corden before. I’m including it again because if you just want to laugh yourself silly for a couple hours, you should watch One Man, Two Guvnors.

The filmed performance is airing on Great Performances on PBS. As with all PBS programming, best to check your local listings for start time and exact airdate.

Border Crossings Part 1 – Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra – November 6th – 9:30 PM EST/6:30 PM PST

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra is launching an ambitious new program entitled Close Quarters. The series, which will have multiple episodes between now and June 4, 2021, will combine performances by select LACO members paired with images and art created by James Darrah.

This first concert features Baroque works and Baroque-inspired composers originating from Bolivia, Mexico and Spain. On the program is Diferencias sobre la gayta by Anónimo and Martín Y Coll; Sonata Chiquitana IV by anonymous, Concierto barroco by José Enrique González Medina and Gallardas by Santiago de Murcia.

Patricia Mabee, who curated the program, leads from the harpsichord. She will be joined by Josefina Vergara and Susan Rishik on violin, Armen Ksajikian on cello, Ben Smolen on flute, Jason Yoshida on theorbo/baroque guitar and Petri Korpela on percussion.

There is no charge to watch the performance which will be available on the LACO website, their YouTube channel and Facebook Live.

Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera – San Francisco Opera – November 7th – November 8th

Nicola Luisotti conducts; starring Julianna Di Giacomo, Thomas Hampson, Ramón Vargas, Heidi Stober, Dolor Zajick, Efraín Solís, Christian Van Horn and Scott Conner. This Jose Maria Condemi production is from the 2014-2015 season.

Verdi’s opera, translated A Masked Ball, had its premiere in Rome in 1859. Librettist Antonio Somma used the libretto written by Eugène Scribe for the opera, Gustave III, ou Le Ballo masqué, written by Daniel Auber in 1833. 

The opera is based on the real life assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden who was killed while attending a masquerade ball in Stockholm. 

Verdi takes some dramatic liberties which certainly enhances the drama. Riccardo is in love with Amelia. She, however, is the wife of his good friend and confidante, Renato. Riccardo is warned by his friend that there is a plot to kill him at the ball. Paying no attention to the warning, Riccardo instead seeks out Ulrica, a woman accused of being a witch. In disguise he visits Ulrica to have his fortune read. She tells him he will be killed by the next man who shakes his hand. That next man turns out to be Renato. What follows is a story of intrigue, deception, questions of fidelity and, of course, the assassination.

Di Giacomo made both her company debut and role debut as Amelia in this production. Lisa Hirsch, in her review for the San Francisco Gate, said of her performance, “Di Giacomo has the ideal voice for this role, beautiful, fresh and easily produced, from glowing top to bottom. She lacks for nothing technically, singing with a gorgeous legato and noble, long-breathed phrasing, not to mention exquisite dynamic control, whether pleading for a last view of her child in Morrò, ma prima in grazia or contemplating the gallows at midnight in Ma dall’arido stelo divulsa.”

Marcus Strickland Trio – Smalls – November 7th – 5:00 PM EST/2:00 PM PST

This is the same trio about which I wrote when they played in September at Blue Note. The difference here is you don’t have to pay to see the performance, though donations are encouraged for both the artist and the venue.

Strickland was named “Best New Artist” in the 2006 JazzTimes Reader’s Poll.

In Critic’s Polls for DownBeat he was named the 2008 “Rising Star on Soprano Saxophone” and the 2010 “Rising Star on Tenor Saxophone.”

He’s been releasing albums since 2001’s At Last. His most recent recording was 2018’s People of the Sun. 

Joining Strickland again will be Ben Williams on bass and E.J. Strickland (his twin brother) on drums.

There is a second set at 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST. Sponsorship seats are available for $40 per set.

Amor y Odio – Verdi Chorus – November 8th – November 22nd

Los Angeles-based Verdi Chorus has put together their first pandemic-era concert. It is called Amor y Odio and the concert will celebrate Songs of Spain and the New World.

A subset of the Verdi Chorus known as The Fox Singers make up the singers for the first of several virtual concerts they are producing. The singers for Amor y Odio are sopranos Tiffany Ho and Sarah Salazar; mezzo-soprano Judy Tran; tenors Joseph Gárate and Elias Berezin; and bass Esteban Rivas.

Anne Marie Ketchum, Artistic Director, leads the performance. Laraine Ann Madden is the accompanist.

The premiere of the concert will take place at 1:00 PM EST/10:00 AM PST on Sunday, November 8th. The concert will remain available through November 22nd.

Be sure to read our interview with Sarah Salazar who has quite a story of determination against the odds.

Johnny O’Neal and Mark Lewandowski – Mezzrow – November 8th – 5:00 PM EST/2:00 PM PST

Jazz pianist and vocalist Johnny O’Neal will be joined by bassist Mark Lewandowski for these performances from Mezzrow in New York.

Perhaps you caught the October 14th performance by Johnny O’Neal I wrote about. If not, you are in for a treat. That preview tells you a bit about O’Neal and his incredible story.

Lewandowski is a bassist and composer who, like most jazz musicians, works as a sideman in addition to his own work. He’s toured and recorded with such artists as Sheila Jordan, Wynton Marsalis, Zoe Rahman, Jean Toussaint, Bobby Wellins and with these shows, O’Neal.

There is a second set at 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST. Sponsorship seats are available for $40 per set. Regular viewing is free, but donations are encouraged.

Modern Beauty Part 2 – Pittance Chamber Orchestra – November 8th – 6:00 PM EST/3:00 PM PST

In last week’s Best Bets, I included Pittance Chamber Orchestra’s three-part performance series entitled Modern Beauty. The series, featuring pianist Gloria Cheng, continues this week with clarinetist Donald Foster joining her.

The program features Garlands for Steven Stucky. Four works for solo piano will pay tribute to the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer who passed away in 2016. Cheng will perform Iscrizione by Esa-Pekka Salonen, Green Trees Are Bending by Stephen Andrew Taylor, Waltz by John Harbison and Interlude by Kay Rhie.

Foster will join her for a performance of Stucky’s Meditation and Dance.

There is no charge to watch the performance, but donations are encouraged. By the way, if you missed last week’s performance, you can still watch it on Pittance Chamber Orchestra’s website.

Jessie Mueller with Seth Rudetsky – November 8th – 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM EST

Tony Award-winner Jessie Mueller (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) is Seth Rudetsky’s guest for his concert series this weekend.

In addition to her role as King, Mueller has appeared on Broadway in the 2011 revival of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, the 2012 revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, she originated the role of “Jenna” in Waitress and appeared as “Julie Jordan” in the 20128 revival of Carousel.

Mueller was in previews in The Minutes, a play by Tracy Letts, when the pandemic hit.

If this live performance does not work for your schedule, there will be a re-streaming of the concert on November 9th at 3:00 PM EST/12:00 PM PST. Tickets for either date are $25. Uber fans who purchase a ticket for the live performance can also purchase (for an additional $25) a VIP Upgrade allowing access to the sound check taking place at 5:00 PM EST/2:00 PM PST.

Beth Lapides’ Uncabaret – November 8th – 10:30 PM EST/7:30 PM PST

If any week in recent memory has called for a thought-provoking but gentle way to end the weekend, this might just be that weekend. So I offer you Uncabaret. Joining for Zoom #16 of the long-running comedy show are Jamie Bridgers, Margaret Cho, Alex Edelman, Judy Gold, Alec Mapa, Apart Nancherla and Julia Sweeney. As usual, Mitch Kaplan is the music director.

If you are unfamiliar with Uncabaret, check out my interview with Beth Lapides as she started the second quarter century of the show in 2019.

Tickets range from free to $100 with perks along the way the more you are able to pay to see the show.

Those are my fifteen Best Bets at Home: November 6th – November 8th. However, you know that I’ll always give you some reminders just in case you want more. And what’s wrong with wanting a little more?

This weekend’s offerings from the Metropolitan Opera are La Forza del Destino by Verdi on Friday; Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette on Saturday and Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg on Sunday.

This is the penultimate weekend for Table Top Shakespeare: At Home. This weekend’s shows are Troilus and Cressida on Friday; As You Like It on Saturday and Othello on Sunday.

Atlantic Theater Company’s Fall Reunion Reading Series has performances remaining on Friday and Saturday of Rajiv Joseph’s Guards at the Taj.

That officially ends all my selections for you this weekend. I hope you will relax and enjoy these Best Bets at Home: November 6th – November 8th.

Photo: James Corden in One Man, Two Guvnors (Photo by Johan Persson/Courtesy PBS)

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He quietly returned in 2010. Audiences started taking notice, particularly when he released his 2013 album, Johnny O’Neal – Live at Smalls. This week O’Neal returns to the venue for a live-streamed concert that should be at the top of your list. The show takes place on Wednesday, October 14th at 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT.

Since his return O’Neal is once again a regular fixture in the music scene in Manhattan. And for good reason. Each of his seven recordings shines a light on a pianist who is the natural extension of a style of piano playing that has its roots in pianists Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum.

One of the reasons for O’Neal’s disappearance was his diagnosis with AIDS. Once he got treatment and was able to manage the disease, he returned to New York. His return to performing was the subject of a fascinating profile in the New York Times by Giovanni Russonello in 2014 that is a great read.

I wasn’t familiar with O’Neal until I read this article. After exploring his music, I immediately became a fan. Not having, yet, the opportunity to see him in person, I’m looking forward to Wednesday’s show.

Joining O’Neal at Smalls will be Mark Lewandowski on bass and Itay Morchi on drums (both of whom are part of the clip above from last year.)

Photo of Johnny O’Neal by Brad Berger/Courtesy O’Neal’s Facebook page

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Amongst the artists performing are Chick Corea in a solo concert from his studio, Wadada Leo Smith performing solo trumpet and piano and cutting edge musicians like trumpeter Theo Croker and singer Melanie Charles.

So let’s get right to the music. Here is Jazz Stream: October 6th – October 11th:

The Le Bouef Brothers – Smalls – October 6th – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

No reason to be shy about this one, identical twin brothers Remy and Pascal Le Boeuf are considered amongst the most adventurous and creative musicians working in jazz. And a little classical. In fact, they straddle and blur the lines between the two to create music all their own.

Their most recent recording was Imaginist which was released in 2016 and finds the brothers working with JACK Quartet.

Remy plays alto sax and Pascal plays piano. For this gig from Smalls in New York, they will be joined by Martin Nevin on bass and Allan Mednard on drums.

The Melanie Charles Quartet – Smalls – October 8th – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

Melanie Charles is a singer, songwriter, flautist born in Brooklyn and of Haitian descent. Any attempt to pigeon-hole her music into just one style would be foolish. Jazz, soul, Haitian music and more find their way into her music and the end result is mesmerizing.

Her most recent album, The Girl with the Green Shoes, was released in 2017. In 2019 she released a single called Trill Suite, No. 1 (Daydreaming/Skylark) which pairs Aretha Franklin’s song Daydreaming with the Hoagy Carmichael/Johnny Mercer song Skylark. The result is amazing.

For this show she will be joined by Axel Laugart on piano, Jonathan Michel on bass and Anwar Marshall on drums.

Janis Siegel with John Dimartino – Birdland – October 8th – 7:00 PM/4:00 PM EDT

You know Janis Siegel as one of the founding members of The Manhattan Transfer. Her work with that famous vocal group has been acknowledged with ten Grammy Awards.

John Dimartino is a fixture in the New York jazz scene. His most recent album, Passion Flower, celebrates the music of Billy Strayhorn.

He and Siegel collaborated on 2014’s Night Songs and, along with Nanny Assis, comprise The Requine Trio. Their album, Honey and Air, was released in 2015.

For this concert Siegel and Dimartino will be performing music by Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein, bossa nova, new jazz songs and the Great American Songbook. If you’ve ever heard Siegel sing, with or without The Manhattan Transfer, you know she can swing!

Tickets are $23.50 

Wadada Leo Smith Solo – Vision Festival Healing Soul – October 8th – 7:00 PM EDT/4:00 PM PDT

The Vision Festival Healing Soul launches on Friday and each day they are offering access to a full day of programming online. They start very strongly with trumpeter, composer, improviser and multi-instrumentalist Wadada Leo Smith. He will be performing solo trumpet and piano.

As someone who has embraced music from multiple cultures and stands as one of the finest avant-garde musicians in jazz, this should be a very interesting concert.

Amongst my favorite albums he’s recorded is A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke with Vijay Iyer. The video below shows how powerful his music is and how impactful just a solo trumpet can be.

$16.74 (that includes service charges) will also give you access to Jazz Response to Humanity in Crisis – in and outside of the Jazz Community. This is a Roundtable discussion with William Parker, Amirtha Kidambi, Fay Victor, Arturo O’Farrill, Gerald Cleaver, and JD Allen; moderated by Patricia Parker. 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

Bill Charlap: An Evening of Solo Piano – Live From Dizzy’s Club – October 8th – 7:30 PM EDT/4:30 PM PDT

Pianist Bill Charlap will perform songs by George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Kern, Hoagy Carmichael and more when he takes to the piano for this solo concert from Dizzy’s Club in New York.

Last week Dizzy’s Club, a part of Jazz at Lincoln Center, re-launched their streaming concerts. They have started strong and this concert will certainly be one of this week’s highlights.

There is a suggested price of $10 to watch the show live. If that timing is not convenient for you, there will be a rerun of the concert three hours later at 10:30 PM EDT/7:30 PM PDT.

Abraham Burton Quartet – Smalls – October 9th – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

Growing up in Greenwich Village in the 1970s and 1980s would provide a great location to explore the world of jazz in New York. That’s precisely what tenor and alto sax musician Abraham Burton did. No wonder he ended up playing jazz music.

Though he doesn’t have a large catalog of recordings as a leader, he has recorded and performed with some of the genre’s biggest and brightest stars including Kenny Barron, James Carter, Roy Hargrove, Louis Hayes, Roy Haynes, Christian McBride, Jackie McLean, Mulgrew Miller, Nicholas Payton, Wallace Roney, Jimmy Smith, Horace Tapscott and Jimmy Woode.

He is a featured performer on the 2011 Grammy Award winning album Mingus Big Band Live at Jazz Standard.

Joining him for this gig will be Dezron Douglas on bass and Eric McPherson on drums

Thelonious Monk Celebration – SFJAZZ – October 9th – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

Jazz legend Thelonious Monk would be 103 this year. Two years ago, on the occasion of his 101st birthday, SFJazz celebrated him with a concert that featured three pianists: Joanne Brackeen, Helen Sung and Kris Davis.

Brackeen is a 2018 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master. Her career took off when she became the first female member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Stints with Joe Henderson and Stan Getz followed before she struck out on her own. She is also the composer of over 300 pieces.

Sung began playing classical music, but switched to jazz and has never looked back. She has worked with such artists as Terri Lyne Carrington, Regina Carter, Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Wayne Shorter, Clark Terry and one of my personal favorites, Cécile McLorin Salvant. Her most recent recording is 2018’s Sung with Words: A Collaboration with Dana Gioia.

Davis is a highly-acclaimed pianist who was named DownBeat Magazine’s Rising Star Pianist in 2017 and Rising Star Artist in 2018. She has performed and/or recorded with Terri Lyne Carrington, Michael Formanek, Mary Halvorson, Julian Lage, Ingrid Laubrock, Tony Malaby, Eric Revis, Tyshawn Sorey, Craig Taborn and John Zorn.

Registration is required to view the show. Monthly membership of $5 or annual membership of $60 are your options.

Theo Croker – Blue Note – October 9th – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

Can music be in someone’s blood by virtue of their relatives? If so, Theo Croker is blessed as this impressive trumpeter is the grandson of the legendary Doc Cheatham. Croker’s father is, amongst other things, a civil rights activist. If you combine the two you start, but only just, to paint a picture of who Theo Croker is.

Early in his career he was associated with singer Dee Dee Bridgewater, but has established a music and style all his own. Collaborations with Common and Ari Lennox live alongside his five albums. His most recent album, Star People Nation, was released last year. It’s a stunning record that offers a contemporary approach to jazz.

This concert will be streamed live from Blue Note in New York. Joining Croker will be Mike King on piano, Eric Wheeler on double bass and Shekwage Ode on drums.

Tickets are $15. There will be a re-stream of the concert three hours later at 11:00 PM EDT/8:00 PM PDT.

The Cyrus Chestnut Trio – Smoke Jazz and Supper Club – October 9th – October 10th – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

I first became aware of pianist Cyrus Chestnut when I heard his 1966 album Earth Stories. From there I immediately picked up everything I could find. I still do.

His playing is, in a word, sublime. He plays everything from standards to music from Charlie Brown television shows to spirituals to classical music. Kaleidoscope, his most recent album, was released in 2018.

This weekend he’ll be playing two shows from New York’s Smoke Jazz and Supper Club. Each performance will feature Peter Washington on bass and Willie Jones III on drums.

Tickets are $11 (which includes the $1 service charge).

To purchase tickets for Friday go here.

To purchase tickets for Saturday go here.

Chick Corea Live in Concert: From Mozart to Monk – October 10th – 4:00 PM EDT/1:00 PM PDT

When you have received 65 Grammy nominations and received 23 of the awards, when you are a NEA Jazz Master, when you’ve recorded 14 albums with Miles Davis (including Bitches Brew) and when musicians from all genres hail your work, you don’t need an introduction. (Of course, that was an introduction, wasn’t it?)

Chick Corea will be performing live from his studio on Saturday. The show is called From Mozart to Monk which reflects the pianist’s versatility. This is a one-time only event. There will be no re-stremaing of the performance. You see it (which you should) or you don’t (at your own peril.)

Tickets are $20.

Melissa Aldana Quintet – Smalls – October 11th – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

Saxophonist Melissa Aldana won the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition in 2013. She is a member of the all-star jazz ensemble Artemis and she’s good. Real good.

If you read Cultural Attaché you know we’ve written about her before. So rather than repeat those details, simply listen to the music.

For this gig from Smalls in New York, she will be joined by Charles Altura on guitar, Sullivan Fortner on piano, Pablo Menares on bass and Kush Abadey on drums.

Which of these concerts will you watch? The established artists or the newer performers who continue to make jazz exciting two decades into this century? You can get a taste of it all with any or all of these eleven concerts.

That’s Jazz Stream: October 6th – October 11th. Enjoy the music

Photo:Theo Croker (Photo by Sam Croskery/Courtesy of DL Media)

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New York’s Village Vanguard, which has featured weekly performances by jazz legends, is taking some time off to address some technical issues with their streaming efforts. We’ll be sure to let you know when they are back up and running.

Sit back, relax and explore some truly fine artists who are performing and now find their place on this week’s Jazz Stream: September 29th – October 4th.

Barry Stephenson “The Iconoclast” Album Release – September 30th – Smalls – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

On Wednesday, bassist Barry Stephenson is releasing his new album The Iconoclast. To celebrate the album’s release, he is performing at Smalls in New York.

Stephenson has performed with established veterans like Diane Schuur, Nicholas Payton and David Sanborn. He’s also performed with some of the newer jazz musicians on the scene including Jazzmeia Horn, Theo Croker and Cyrille Aimée.

Joining Stephenson for this performance are Patrick Bartley Jr on alto sax, Stacy Dillard on tenor sax and Kush Abadey on drums. You might recall we previously had one of Stacy Dillard’s shows on our Jazz Stream listings.

Spike Wilner Quartet – October 1st – Smalls – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

A passion for the music of Scott Joplin lead Spike Wilner to take an interest in ragtime, stride and jazz. While his passion for the music might have started with the traditions set by the likes of Fats Waller, his playing can also be exactly the music you’d expect to hear in a small smoky club in New York.

Wilner and his fellow musicians are known for playing until late in the evening. As this performance takes place in the late afternoon, they won’t be playing that long, but close your eyes, pour yourself an early cocktail and take in the music.

Joining Wilner for this show are Joe Magnarelli on trumpet, Peter Washington on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums.

Catherine Russell Trio – Jazz at Lincoln Center – October 1st – 7:30 PM EDT/4:30 PM PDT

Vocalist Catherine Russell is comfortable singing rock ‘n’ roll (she sang back-up with David Bowie for years) and singing jazz and blues. She’ll be showcasing the latter when she helps re-launch Live from Dizzy’s Club (part of Jazz at Lincoln Center.)

For more on Russell, you can read my interview with her here. She’s immensely talented and has had an interesting and diverse career.

This show will be live streamed on Thursday. There will be an encore showing of the performance at 10:30 PM EDT/7:30 PM PDT.

Joining Russell for this show will be Matt Munisteri on guitar and Tal Ronen on bass.

Tickets for the live performance or encore presentation are “Pay What You Can,” but the suggested minimum donation is $10.

John Ellis – The Jazz Gallery – October 1st – 7:30 PM EDT/4:30 PDT & 9:30 PM EDT/6:30 PM PDT

Earlier this year saxophonist John Ellis released his eleventh album, When the World Was Young. The album features songs by Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis (with considerable help from Chuck Wayne) and the standard, How High the Moon.

He will be performing two sets at New York’s The Jazz Gallery. The first set is at 7:30 PM EDT and the second is at 9:30 PM EDT. Tickets to live stream the sets are $15 for non-members/$5 for members per set.

Ellis loves jazz and has a particular fondness (vis-a-vis his band Double Wide) and passion for New Orleans style jazz.

Joining him for these two sets are Kevin Hays on piano, Reuben Rogers on bass and Kendrick Scott on drums.

James Carter Organ Trio – October 1st – Blue Note – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

Both readers and critics have regularly included saxophonist James Carter on their list of best baritone sax players. In addition to 19 albums as a leader, Carter has performed with Kathleen Battle, Lester Bowie, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis and his cousin, Regina Carter. In other words, he’s perhaps the best known musician on this week’s list.

Carter is enormously talented and a truly fine improviser. His playing is challenging at times and comfortable at others. His organ trio is amongst the most interesting trios in jazz right now.

Tickets to watch this live performance are $15. There will be a re-stream of the concert at 11:00 PM EDT/8:00 PM PDT the same night.

Bobi Céspedes – SFJAZZ – October 2nd – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

If you aren’t from the Bay Area, you might not be familiar with Cuban jazz singer Bobi Céspedes. Now’s your chance to get acquainted.

In June she released her most recent album, Mujer y Cantante. The album celebrates son music of Cuba – a style of music that mixes African and Spanish influences.

John Santos, who appears with his sextet in the clip above, joins as her special guest for this concert from 2019.

This concert is part of SFJAZZ’s Fridays at Five series. To watch the show requires signing up for either a one-month membership ($5) or a one-year membership ($60). Either will give you access to this show and either a full month of upcoming shows or a full year.

Joey Alexander – Blue Note – October 2nd – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT $15

Pianist Joey Alexander released his most recent album, Warna, earlier this year. The Verve Records album takes its name for the word for color is Alexander’s native Indonesian language of Bahasa. All of 17 years old, this marks Alexander’s sixth album.

When his album Eclipse came out in 2018, I interviewed him about the project and his approach to music. You can read that interview here.

Some of the other BlueNote concerts are filmed in advance, this performance (as well as James Carter’s) will stream live from the New York venue. Joining Alexander for this performance are Daniel Winshall on bass and Tyson Jackson on drums.

Tickets to stream the concert are $15.

Victor Lewis Quintet – October 3rd – Smalls – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

Kenny Barron, Art Farmer, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Bobby Hutcherson, Earl Klugh, Hubert Laws, Abbey Lincoln, David Sanborn, Wood Shaw and Grover Washington Jr. have all at one time or another called on drummer Victor Lewis to join them in the recording studio or on the road.

Like most jazz musicians, Lewis functions as both a sideman and a leader. It is as a leader with his quintet that Lewis will be taking the stage at Small’s on Saturday afternoon. Lewis is considered one of the best drummers working today.

This clip does not show Lewis with his quintet, but does show off his fierce skills.

Joining Lewis will be Josh Evans on trumpet, Abraham Burton on tenor sax, Dave Kikoski on piano and Ed Howard on bass.

Brian Charette Piano Trio – October 4th – Smalls – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

Brian Charette has played piano and organ throughout his career. For this gig at Smalls, he’ll be at the piano with his trio: Joe Martin on bass and Ari Hoenig on drums.

A fixture on the jazz scene in New York, you most commonly will find Charette playing the organ. He’s recorded and/or performed with Lou Donaldson, Chaka Khan, Cyndi Lauper, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and Kamasi Washington. He also had the late Roy Hargrove as a special guest at a Smalls performance in 2017. For that gig, he was at the piano.

He performs less frequently on the piano. Sunday’s concert will offer an opportunity to see and hear what Charette does with a single keyboard. It should be terrific.

That’s the full line-up for Jazz Stream: September 29th – October 4th. Enjoy the jazz and have a terrific week.

Photo of James Carter courtesy of his website.

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So let’s get to it. Here is this week’s Jazz Stream: September 22nd – September 27th:

The Early Set with Gabrielle Stravelli – Facebook – September 23rd – 3:00 PM EDT/12:00 PM PDT

In 2018 I profiled singer Gabrielle Stravelli. You can read my interview with her here. She’s a terrific singer with an absolute appreciation of the women vocalists who came before her. As she told me, “Ella was the person I grew up listening to and then Carmen McRae and Peggy Lee and Sarah Vaughan. I’m not ever going to be those women. Nobody can be. For me I’m not trying to be them, but to be as great as they were. That’s a joyful, beautiful thing to reach for.”

This weekly show she does is a combination of conversation and music. Any opportunity to hear her sing is one worth exploring.

Roni Ben-Hur Quartet – Smalls – September 23rd – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

Israeli-born guitarist Roni Ben-Hur had his 2001 album, Anna’s Dance, named one of the best jazz albums of the year by the Village Voice. He has been hailed as one of the most lyrical guitarists of our time.

In 2018 he recorded an album called Introspection that found Ben-Hur collaborating with bassist Harvie S. They two will be reunited fort his performance from Smalls in New York. Also joining them will be George Cables – piano and Victor Lewis – drums.

Mark Sherman Quartet – Smalls – September 24th – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PDT

Mark Sherman doesn’t play just one instrument. Rather, he plays several including vibraphone, percussion and drums. For this show at Smalls, he will be at the piano.

Sherman has been performing multiple styles of music throughout his career. He has played percussion for several Broadway shows; he has worked with singers Peggy Lee, LaVerne Butler and Maureen McGovern; he’s performed with many of the world’s best-known orchestras and conductors and then there’s the jazz.

He has performed and/or recorded with  Kenny Barron, Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis and more.

Joining Sherman for this performance will be Bob Franceschini – tenor sax; David Wong – bass and Anthony Pinciotti – drums.  

Danilo Pérez Trio with Ben Street & Adam Cruz – DC JazzFest – September 24th – 8:30 PM EDT/5:30 PM PDT

If you’ve been reading Cultural Attaché for any period of time, you know we usually talk about pianist Danilo Pérez as being a member of Wayne Shorter’s band. This time we’re previewing one of his own shows from DC JazzFest.

I’ve been following Pérez’s career for years and have always loved both his playing and the diversity of the material he performs. His solo material and his trio work has always challenged and moved me.

Just as Shorter has his regular musicians, as does Pérez. He’s been touring with double-bassist Ben Street and drummer Adam Cruz for several years. They will be joining him for this performance.

Pérez has released over a dozen albums, including Secrets Are the Best Stories, a collaboration with Kurt Elling that was released earlier this year.

Nate Chinen, writing in the New York Times, called Pérez’s approach to music, “A distillation of ideas developed over roughly the last 15 years — mingling elements of classical form, jazz flexibility and Latin-American folk melody — it’s impressive for both its design and its execution, and for the strong implication that those two qualities are inextricable, even indivisible.”

Nicole Glover Quartet – Smalls – September 25th – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PDT

Tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover has performed with Mel Brown, Mike Clark, Kenny Garrett, Chuck Israels, Geoffrey Keezer, Bennie Maupin, Bill Stewart and Esperanza Spaulding.

She and drummer Nic Cacioppo (who joins her for this performance from Smalls) recently released an album called Literature. This record is bold and challenging. It is simply sax and drums. It’s a terrific album and portends well for Friday’s show.

Also joining them will be Davis Whitfield – piano and Daniel Duke – bass.

John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme 50th Anniversary Concert – SFJAZZ – September 25th – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

One of jazz music’s most important recordings is being showcased in this week’s Fridays at Five from SFJAZZ. John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme will be celebrated by musicians Ravi Coltrane (the composer’s son and also a saxophonist), tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, pianist Geri Allen, bassist Drew Gress and drummer Ralph Peterson Jr.

A Love Supreme was recorded in 1964 and released in early 1965. This concert, therefore, dates back to December 13, 2014. It has long been considered Coltrane’s masterpiece and it also one of the most influential jazz albums ever recorded.

I haven’t seen this concert that SFJAZZ will be streaming. But A Love Supreme runs just over 33 minutes, so an hour-long concert is time enough to perform the entire album. If so, that should be a treat. I once saw Wynton Marsalis and his band perform A Love Supreme in concert and I can tell you hearing this music live is an experience not-to-be-missed.

Kenny Barron Trio – Village Vanguard – September 25th – September 26th

2010 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Kenny Barron is this week’s performer at New York’s Village Vanguard. The pianist, who was asked to join Dizzy Gillespie’s band solely on the recommendation of James Moody without Gillespie hearing him, has been making great music for over 50 years.

He’s recorded and performed with Terence Blanchard, Roy Haynes, Freddie Hubbard, Yusef Lateef, Milt Jackson, Lee Morgan, Buddy Rich, David Sanchez, Stanley Turrentine and more. He’s also recorded over 40 albums as a leader.

Giovanni Russonello, in recommending upcoming concerts in 2019, wrote in the New York Times, “At age 76, this piano eminence and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master remains an exemplar of pianistic intellect and poise.”

Joining Barron for this performance will be Kiyoshi Kitagawa – bass and Johnathan Blake – drums.

Tickets to watch this performance are $10.

Ramsey Lewis – September 26th – 2:00 PM EDT/11:00 AM PDT

85-year-old jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis has retired from touring, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still performing. The Grammy Award winner and NEA Jazz Master performs the last Saturday of every month in a series he calls Saturday Salon.

I previously listed one of these salons as worthy of your attention and this weekend is no exception. The one-hour concert costs $20 to watch, but some of the proceeds from this (and each monthly performance) go to The Jazz Foundation of America. JFA supports jazz musicians and perhaps at no other time has that support been more necessary with the lack of opportunities to perform live in venues for an audience.

Marcus Strickland Trio – Blue Note – September 26th – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

When musicians Dave Douglas, Roy Haynes, Christian McBride and others have needed a saxophonist for their recordings, they have called on Marcus Strickland to join them.

Strickland was named “Best New Artist” in the 2006 JazzTimes Reader’s Poll. In Critic’s Polls for DownBeat he was named the 2008 “Rising Star on Soprano Saxophone” and the 2010 “Rising Star on Tenor Saxophone.”

He’s been releasing albums since 2001’s At Last. His most recent recording was 2018’s People of the Sun. All it takes is one listen to hear immediately why Strickland has received such praise.

Joining Strickland for this performance are Ben Williams – bass and his twin-brother E.J. Strickland – drums.

Tickets to watch this concert at $15. It will also be re-streamed on September 26th at 11:00 PM EDT/8:00 PM PDT.

Lloyd-Hussain-Lage Trio – Healdsburg Jazz – September 26th – 10:00 PM EDT/7:00 PM PDT

The Lloyd in this trio is legendary saxophonist (and flautist) Charles Lloyd. The Hussain is tabla-master Zakir Hussain and the Lage is guitarist Julian Lage. But you had me at Lloyd.

I interviewed Charles Lloyd in 2018 when he was headlining at the Playboy Jazz Festival. You can read that interview here. Two years ago he said “It’s like my original groups, I thought I could change the world with my creativity. I was naive enough to think that.” History will ultimately decide whether or not he could change the world with his creativity, but he has certainly carved out his own unique path within jazz.

His most recent album was 8: Kindred Spirits (Live from the Lobero). The album was recorded at a concert that celebrated his 80th birthday. Lage was part of that concert. (Trivia: Lage first performed with Lloyd when he was 12 years old.)

Lloyd joins a few others in this week’s listings as being an NEA Jazz Master.

This concert will be live from Healdsburg, California. The three musicians will be playing safely together in The Paul Mahder Gallery.

There is a minimum donation of $15 required to see the concert. You can watch it live and also for 72 hours after the conclusion of the performance.

Those are my picks for Jazz Stream: September 22nd – September 27th. Enjoy the music!

Photo: Marcus Strickland (Photo by Petra Richterova/Courtesy Strickland’s website)

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Let’s get to it. Here are your Best Bets at Home: September 18th – September 20th.

Carmen – Royal Opera House – September 18th – October 17th

Georges Bizet’s most popular opera gets presented with a new perspective in this 2018 Royal Opera House production directed by Barrie Kosky. He is perhaps best-known for his innovative production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute which has been performed all over the world. LA Opera in Los Angeles has performed his production three times…so far.

Georges Bizet collaborated with librettists Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy on this immensely popular opera. It was based on Propser Mérimée’s novella of the same name. 

When Carmen was first performed in Paris in 1875 it was considered both shocking and scandalous. 

Set in Seville, Spain, Carmen is a gypsy who has caught everyone’s eye. A soldier, Don José, plays coy and gives her no attention. Her flirtation causes troubles for both when Don José’s girlfriend, Micaëla arrives. Tensions escalate between the two women and after a knight fight, José must arrest Carmen. When she seduces him it sets off a series of events that will not end well for the gypsy woman.

In Kosky’s production, Carmen (sung by Anna Goryachova) is front and center. The opera is told from her point-of-view. There is a narrator and the production uses music Bizet eliminated from the opera’s earliest performances.

In an interview with the New York Times Kosky said, “Everyone assumes Carmen is what people are used to. A big Spanish spectacle: loud, huge orchestra, huge chorus. Lots of Spain…The piece is not a Spanish opera. It’s a French opera, from the first note. Actually it’s not even a French opera, it’s an operetta that turns into an opera in the fourth act.

“This is the mistake that people make. They assume that it’s a doom-laden story of a Gypsy with black curly hair and gold earrings, and a story of love and sex and whatever. Well, it turns into that, but for the first two thirds of the evening, it’s sunlight, it’s joy, it’s naughtiness, it’s irony. I keep saying to the cast, ‘You’re in an operetta. You are not in ‘le grand opéra.’”

This production of Carmen will be available for one month and does have a fee of £3 (which is equivalent to approximately $4).

Sleep with Angels – Latino Theater Company – September 18th – September 27th

In their continuing series of archived plays and readings of new works, Latino Theater Company is offering a sneak peek of Sleep with Angels. Written by Evelina Fernández, the play is scheduled to have its world premiere with the company next year.

A mysterious woman named Juana shows up on Molly’s doorstep. She arrives just as Molly is in need of someone to watch her children now that she’s separated from her husband.

The kids are charmed by Juana, but who is she?

Sleep with Angels is directed by José Luis Valenzuela. The cast features Aileen Alfaro, Esperanza America, Sandino Gonzalez-Flores, Sal Lopez, Xavi Moreno, Robert Revell, Lucy Rodriguez and Elia Saldana.

The first opportunity to watch Sleep with Angels is at 10:00 PM EDT/7:00 PM PDT on Friday, September 18th. The reading will be available through September 27th.

While at Latino Theater Company’s website you’ll also notice that a film of their 2010 production of La Victima is also available. This was the company’s first show and it starred the late Lupe Ontiveras. La Victima will be available for viewing through September 24th.

Now Hear This “Haydn: King of Strings” – PBS Great Performances – September 18th (check local listings)

The work of composer Franz Joseph Haydn is explored in this one-hour show on PBS’s Great Performances. In particular, host Scott Yoo will explore the role folk music from Austria, Hungary and Scotland played in informing the composer’s composition of his Emperor Quartet. Haydn is considered the father of the string quartet having written 68 of them.

Amongst his guests are violinist Geoff Nuttall and the St. Lawrence String Quartet.

Jack DeJohnette/Don Byron/Matt Garrison – Shapeshifter Lab – September 19th – 5:00 PM EDT/2:00 PM PDT

Simply put, Jack DeJohnette is one of the most important drummers in the history of jazz. His collaborations have included recordings and performances with John Abercrombie, Alice Coltrane, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Keith Jarrett, Charles Lloyd and John Scofield. And that’s just a few of a very extensive list of credits.

On Saturday he will be performing live from home with bassist Matthew Garrison and clarinetist Don Byron.

Garrison, the son of John Coltrane bassist Jimmy Garrison, has recorded and performed with a broad range of artists that spans from Betty Carter to Whitney Houston; The Gil Evans Orchestra to Paul Simon and Tito Puente to Joni Mitchell.

Byron is a musician, teacher and composer. His range of musical styles vacillates from jazz to klezmer and includes composing for films and for such ensembles as the Kronos Quartet.

Tickets to watch this performance require a minimum donation of $20. The performance will remain available for three days after the live stream on Saturday.

Anna Karenina – Broadway on Demand – September 19th – 7:00 PM EDT/4:00 PM PDT

Not all musicals are happy. Case in point is this Russian musical by Roman Ignatyev and librettist Yully Kim. Based on Leo Tolstoy’s tragic love story between Anna Karenina and military officer Alexey Vronsky. The musical is set in the late 19th century amongst Russian nobility.

Ekaterina Guseva plays Anna and Sergey Lee plays Alexey. Alina Chevik directs and choreography is by Irina Korneeva.

The musical is sung in Russian with English subtitles.

This production was filmed in front of a live audience in 2018. The pay-per-view price is $5.99. Anna Karenina will also be available for two days afterwards to rent for the same amount.

Miss Saigon (another not-happy musical) had a helicopter land on stage. I’m sure the train required for Anna Karenina will make that accomplishment seem terribly outdated.

A Marvellous Party – Broadway on Demand – September 20th – 2:30 PM EDT/11:30 AM PDT

I’ll Leave It To You marked the first time playwright/actor Noël Coward had a play of his performed in London’s West End. He also appeared in the show. I’ll Leave It To You opened at the New Theatre on July 21, 1920 and ran for 37 performances. The rest, as they say, is history.

Coward went on to write such plays as Hay Fever, Private Lives, Design for Living, Present Laughter and Blithe Spirit.

In 2006 the New Theatre was renamed the Noël Coward Theatre.

To celebrate this centenary, The Noël Coward Foundation is presenting an all-star event called A Marvellous Party. His words and music will be performed (in either self-recorded performances at home or performances filmed following Covid-19 guidelines) by Kate Burton, Judi Dench, Stephen Fry, Montego Glover, Derek Jacobi, Josh James, Cush Jumbo, Robert Lindsay, Kristine Nielsen, Bebe Neuwirth, Julian Ovenden, Patricia Routledge, Kate Royal, Emma Thompson, Giles Terera, Indira Varma and Lia Williams.

A Marvellous Party will remain available on demand for two weeks (or a fortnight as Coward might say.)

There is no charge to watch the show, but you will need to register to do so. Donations to Acting for Others and The Actors Fund are encouraged.

Judy Kuhn with Seth Rudetsky – September 20th – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

In this week’s Seth Rudetsky concert series, four-time Tony Award nominee Judy Kuhn joins for conversation and song. Kuhn originated the role of Helen Bechdel in Fun Home (one of her Tony nominations). Her other nominations came for her performances in Les Misérables (as Cosette); Chess (as Florence) and the 1993 revival of She Loves Me (as Amalia Balash).

She also memorably played Fosca in the Classic Stage Company’s 2013 production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Passion.

There will be an encore presentation of this show on Monday, September 21st at 3:00 PM EDT/12:00 PM PDT. The show will also be available for pay-per-view viewing next week. Tickets for all viewings are $25.

Erasing Borders Dance Festival – Indo-American Arts Council – September 20th – September 27th

The multitude of dances found in India are celebrated in the Erasing Borders Dance Festival. This is the 12th year of the festival and, for obvious reasons, this year the festival is online. Each program can be found on the Indo-American Arts Council’s Facebook page (link in the title).

Each program becomes available at 8:30 PM EDT/5:30 PM PDT. The line-up is as follows:

Sunday, September 20th: Shambhu Nath Karmakar/Ashpara Care Club (Purulia Chhau)
Monday, September 2st: Neha Mondal Chakravarty (Kalakshetra Bharatanatyam) and Krishnakshi Kashyap (Sattriya)
Tuesday, September 22nd: Ganesh Vasudeva (Bharatanatyam)
Wednesday, September 23rd: Divyaa Unni (Bharatanatyam) and Arun Mathai (Bharatanatyam)
Thursday, September 24th: Sandhya Raju (Kuchipudi)
Friday, September 25th: Damir Tasmagambetov (Kalakshetra Bharatanatyam) and Barkha Patel (Contemporary Kathak)
Saturday, September 26th: Mesma Belsaré (Shilpa Natana)
Sunday, September 27th: Vishwakiran Nambi (Contemporary) and workshops by Nahid Siddiqui (Sufi Kathak)

Those are my selections for your Best Bets at Home: September 18th – September 20th. Before we go, a few reminders:

Los Angeles area audiences can watch In Concert at the Hollywood Bowl on PBS SoCal on September 18th at 8:00 PM. This week’s show is Musica Sin Fronteras and features performances from Café Tacvba, Columbian singer/songwriter Carlos Vives, Florida’s Siudy Garrido Flamenco Dance Theatre all in performance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

New to our listings is Table Top Shakespeare: At Home. These unique presentations of Shakespeare’s plays got launched on Thursday. This weekend’s performances (which are all free to watch) are Perciles on Friday; The Merchant of Venice on Saturday and A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Sunday. All performances are live at 3:00 PM EDT/12:00 PM PDT.

Some reminders from this week’s Jazz Stream:

Fridays at Five from SFJAZZ offers a 2017 concert by jazz legend Wayne Shorter.

The Bill Frisell Trio performs Friday from New York’s Blue Note.

Pianist Bill Charlap and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis perform from the Village Vanguard on Friday and Saturday.

The Ehud Asherie Trio performs from Smalls on Saturday.

Trumpeter Keyon Harrold performs from Blue Note on Saturday.

For opera fans, here are reminders of this week’s programming from the Metropolitan Opera:

This week’s Bel Canto series concludes with Bellini’s I Puritani on Friday; Donizetti’s L’Elisir de Amore on Saturday and Bellini’s Norma on Sunday.

Eclectic right? Those are your Best Bets at Home: September 18th – September 20th. Let me know what you watched and what you thought in our comments section. Enjoy your weekend!

Main photo: Anna Goryachova and ensemble in “Carmen” (©2017 ROH/Photo by Bill Cooper)

The post Best Bets at Home: September 18th – September 20th appeared first on Cultural Attaché.

So here is Jazz Stream: September 15th – September 20th:

Sasha Dobson Sextet – Smalls – September 15th – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

In 2006 Nate Chinen introduced New York Times readers to singer Sasha Dobson like this:

“Spend enough time around the Lower East Side and you just might encounter a charming young singer with a taste for lilting acoustic folk-pop. She has an eminently listenable voice: sensuous but diffident, and devoid of showy pretense.”

Fourteen years later Dobson has released several albums, EPs and singles. Her most recent EP, Simple Things, was released this spring.

Joining her for this live performance from New York’s Smalls are Vito Dieterle – tenor sax; Dred Scott – piano; Neal Miner – bass; Mauro Refosco – percussion and Kenny Wollesen – drums.

Jeremy Pelt Quintet – Smalls – September 16th – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

Jazz trumpeter Jeremy Pelt has performed/recorded with Ravi Coltrane, Roy Hargrove, Wayne Shorter, Mingus Big Band, Cedar Walton, Gerald Wilson and many more. He’s released twenty albums so far including his latest release, The Art of Intimacy, Volume 1. It’s a beautiful album of mostly ballads, but definitely feels like the right record to listen to in troubling times.

Kevin Whitehead, in his NPR review, said of the album:

“The music’s understated, as if the trio were playing off the cuff after hours. You can hear the nuances, all the subtle shifts in the trumpet’s vocal quality. It’s clear and veiled in whispered tones whether he’s playing open horn or with a metal Harmon mute placed in the bell.”

Pelt will be performing from Smalls with Chien Chien Lu – vibraphone; Victor Gould – piano; Allan Mednard – drums and Vicente Archer – bass.

Emmet Cohen Trio – Smalls – September 17th – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

Composer and pianist Emmet Cohen was reviewed by Gary Fukushima for DownBeat as having conjured up the ghosts of Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Earl Hines and Art Tatum on his album Dirty in Detroit. That’s some pretty weighty spirits for such a young pianist.

But that’s what appeals about Cohen and his playing. He has one foot in the past and the other firmly in the present.

Of course, none of this comes as a surprise if you are familiar with his Master Legacy Series. These are recordings and conversations with jazz legends.

For this live performance from Smalls, Cohen will be joined by Russell Hall on bass and Joe Saylor on drums.

Wayne Shorter Celebration Part 5 – SFJazz – September 18th – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

If you’ve been reading our previews of Fridays at Five from SFJazz, you know they have streamed a series of concerts celebrating jazz legend Wayne Shorter. The four previous concerts were all 2019 performances that took place when Shorter took ill and couldn’t perform. Each one featured Shorter’s regular band (pianist Danilo Pérez, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade) with a number of very special guests.

For part five of this celebration we get the man himself: Shorter on saxophone with most of his band. Terri Lyne Carrington played drums for this concert from April 30, 2017.

An all-too-brief review of Shorter’s career would have to include his 11 Grammy Awards, he pivotal role as a member of Miles Davis’ Second Great Quintet, his participation with Weather Report, his own recordings and compositions and Ben Ratliff in the New York Times called Shorter, “…probably jazz’s greatest living small-group composer and a contender for greatest living improviser…”

For those new to this column, SFJazz makes their concerts available for streaming only at 5:00 PM PDT and only on Fridays. To access the concert you have to sign up for either a one-month subscription (for all of $5 which gives you a month of access) or for a one-year subscriptions (for $60 for a year).

Bill Frisell Trio – Blue Note – September 18th – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT $15

Guitarist Bill Frisell just released Valentine on Blue Note Records. To whom is this particular valentine? His long-standing trio partners Thomas Morgan on bass and Rudy Royston on drums. Though they had performed together for years, there wasn’t a real document of their work together. The album contains originals and covers and celebrates their musical partnership.

Frisell definitely falls into the jazz genre, but that doesn’t stop him from tackling songs by artists not associated with jazz. He’s recorded music written and/or performed by Madonna, Bob Dylan, Aaron Copland and many more.

This concert from Blue Note in New York costs $15. Advance registration is required.

Bill Charlap and Wynton Marsalis – Village Vanguard – September 18th – September 19th – 9:00 PM EDT/6:00 PM PDT

You rarely find piano and trumpet paired for a concert. But if anyone can pull it off, it will be pianist Bill Charlap and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. They will perform two sets from New York’s Village Vanguard this weekend.

I’m not sure either man needs an introduction. We’ve written about Charlap before and have interviewed him about his career. You can read that interview here.

Marsalis is known, of course, not just for his musicianship and composition, but for his fierce advocacy for education. He was also the first jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his 1995 composition Blood on the Fields.

This should be an amazing concert. Tickets to watch either performance are $10 and should be purchased in advance.

Ehud Asherie Trio – Smalls – September 19th – 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT

The first time pianist/organist Ehud Asherie performed at Smalls he was a teenager. He’s come quite away since those halcyon days. Just ask Dan Bilawsky who reviewed Asherie’s Wild Man Blues from 2019 for JazzTimes:

“The “’ashionably old-fashioned’ label fits Ehud Asherie like a bespoke suit. A knowledgeable purveyor of everything from early Crescent City swing to Harlem stride and bop to the music of a bygone Brazil, this 39-year-old pianist might initially come off as a pure throwback. But with an overlay of wit and whimsy placed atop that vast golden-age repertoire, his status as an au courant artist is ensured. Teaming up here with the classy combination of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Rodney Green, Asherie delivers eight numbers that speak to his massive technical reserves, understanding of the continuum, gifts as an interpreter, and rightful place at the jazz piano summit.

His performance on Saturday from Smalls will include bassist Washington and Joe Farnsworth on drums.

Keyon Harrold – Blue Note – September 19th – 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT $15

You must be a great musician if you are called on to create the sound of Miles Davis for a film. That’s precisely what Keyon Harrold did for Don Cheadle’s film Miles Ahead. But there’s much more to Harrold than being able to perform like Davis.

Ben Ratliff of the New York Times first encountered Harrold 17 years ago. He recognized immediately how talented Harrold was during Roy Hargrove’s The Trumpet Shall Sound Festival in 2003:

“Mr. Harrold, playing in unfamiliar surroundings, aimed high and played broadly. Through a kind of post-bop classicism, he showed the desire to dominate, and played in a way that only a musician in his youth can play, and it was exciting.”

To date Harrold has appeared on almost 100 albums in in all genres of music. He’s recorded with Beyoncé, Common, Robert Glasper, Gregory Porter, D’Angelo, Maxwell and many more. Earlier this year he released the single Passages with Matt Little, Lagos and Jason McGuiness. His most recent album was 2017’s The Mugician.

No information was available of who the other musicians joining him might be. If we are able to get those details, we will update this post.

There is a fee of $15 to watch this performance. Advance purchase is recommended.

Before we wrap up Jazz Stream: September 15th – September 20th, I want to recommend an album for you.

Last Friday, Blue Note Records released the debut album by super group Artemis. The self-titled album features pianist Renee Rosnes, clarinetist Anat Cohen, tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, bassist Noriko Ueda, drummer Allison Miller & vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant.

It’s a really terrific album. I strongly urge you to check it out.

That’s our Jazz Stream: September 15th – September 20th. I hope you enjoy the music and the musicians you do know and also discover new artists you might not have heard before.

Photo of Keyon Harrold courtesy of his website.

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