Herbie Hancock will be joined by the Los Angeles Philharmonic on opening night of the orchestra’s 2011-12 season. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, Hancock-the Philharmonic’s Creative Chair for Jazz-will perform at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Sept. 27. The all-Gershwin program, featuring Hancock on piano, will include “Cuban Overture,” “An American in Paris” and “Rhapsody in Blue,” with improvisation by Hancock.
The other four jazz concerts in the Philharmonic’s winter series include:
Sing the Truth! With Angélique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright
In celebration of three master songbirds-Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln, and Odetta -vocalists Angélique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright honor these recently departed legends with music from their extraordinary jazz catalog. The evening is also rich with performances by jazz pianist Geri Allen, musical director and drummer Terri Lynn Carrington and more. (October 22, 2011)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band & Trey McIntyre Dance Project
Preservation Hall Jazz Band returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall with contemporary dance company Trey McIntyre Dance Project (TMDP). The evening marks TMDP’s debut at Walt Disney Concert Hall, where they will present a brand new collaboration for a night full of New Orleans jazz and modern dance. (November 22, 2011)
Chucho Valdes & the Afro Cuban Messengers/Cubano Be Cubano Bop: Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Band with Terence Blanchard, special guest.
This marks multi-Grammy winner Chucho Valdes’ Walt Disney Concert Hall debut. Sanchez and Blanchard explore Afro-Cuban jazz music in a tribute to Cuban congo maestro Chano Pozo and the late, great trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. (February 16, 2012)
Billy Childs Quartet and Kronos Quartet/Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston
San Francisco-based string quartet Kronos and L.A.’s own modern jazz pianist/composer Billy Childs each play their own sets and then collaborate on a piece written by Childs. Bill Frisell begins the evening with his spacious jazz & country-inflected drum/violin trio. (March 11, 2012)
