The Los Angeles Philharmonic must be trying to shed itself of any reputation they have as an institution for “stuffy classical music.” OK, they’re not going to replace those Mozart festivals with three-day-long, psychedelic freak-outs, but in the fall of next year they will move their base of operations from the beautiful but dated-looking Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center of Los Angeles County to a curvy, Frank Gehry-designed metal masterpiece: Walt Disney Concert Hall (pictured). But even before the move, which is a ways away, the Philharmonic will loosen their collars by stepping up their jazz program with no less than Dianne Reeves guiding the effort.
Arguably jazz’s reigning chanteuse (Krall has her beat in record sales if not on soul), Reeves has been appointed to the position of Creative Chair for Jazz at the Philharmonic. She’ll work with the Philharmonic year-round to build the organization’s presence in the jazz community. A performance at the Hollywood Bowl, as part of a salute to Billie Holiday on July 17, is also in Reeves’ job description. (The Phil runs the Bowl.)
The Holiday tribute isn’t the only jazz show on the Philharmonic’s schedule. Beginning July 10 they’ll offer jazz every week until late August. A listing follows; visit www.laphil.org for particulars.
July 10 – Swing Night with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the Glenn
Miller Orchestra and Ken Peplowski.
July 17 – Broadway and Hollywood salute Billie Holiday with
Dianne Reeves, Jimmy Scott, Terence Blanchard Quintet, Alan Cumming, Oleta Adams, Lea Delaria and Donna Murphy.
July 24 – Natalie Cole with Joe Sample
July 31 – Latin Jazz Spectacular with Celia Cruz and
the Big 3 Palladium Orchestra
Aug. 7 – Tony Bennett
Aug. 14 – Soul Night with Isaac Hayes, Maceo Parker and
Arrested Development
Aug. 18 – JVC Jazz with George Benson and Fourplay
Aug. 21 – Big Band Blast with the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and
the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Aug. 28 – Chick Corea and Friends with Gary Burton Michaeld
Brecker and Elektric Band.
