Jazz

Fresh from her European tour, international jazz and blues vocalist Barbara Morrison will spend a month of Saturdays in the courtyard at One Colorado. Morrison has one of the most distinctive voices in the music world. Her cool, elegant and passionate interpretations of American classics are delivered with high-class polish and grace. She and her variety of guests will bring back an era of sophistication that evokes Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James and Dinah Washington, with whom Morrison has been compared.

Jazz and gospel music were combined in the Salem-Lutheran Church's outdoor concert, "Casa de Café," which drew several families Sunday. Chairs were set up in the church's upper courtyard. All 50 were filled, and then some. Dave Siebels , on keyboard, led the five-man combo in jazz and gospel music. His first number came from a jazz album he's recording. Siebels wrote most of the combo's songs, which feature a Hammond organ. The evening's first number, "The Gospel According to Hammond," came from the album.

The Cal State L.A. Jazz Orchestra will kick off the Lotus Festival's 30th anniversary at its inaugural Twilight Jazz Concert on Friday, July 13, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles. Led by director Jeff Benedict, the Cal State L.A. Jazz Orchestra will be playing music of Count Basie and Duke Ellington as well as contemporary music for big band. Cal State L.A. students making up the orchestra include saxophone players Daniel Cortez, Aaron Fong, Raul Guerrero, JP Combs and Marc Walker; trombonists Jesus Viramontes, Shannon Wong, Charlen Jackson and Shaun Kuri; trumpet players Bob Chavez, Steve Turro, Jesus Gaxiola and Phil Jordan; pianists Esteban Adame and Ben Coria; guitarist Andres Torres; bass player Brian Martinez and drummer Vincent Simpson.

Downtown Burbank will turn into an open-air dance hall as thousands of enthusiastic dancers swing and jive under the stars to the best in live music every Thursday in July and August. This outdoor concert series lasts for nine weeks and happens on the AMC Walkway at Palm Avenue and San Fernando Road. Festivities kick-off at 6 p.m. with free swing and salsa classes led by Francisco & Stacey. Once the band starts at 7 p.m., participants will dance the night away on the outdoor plaza. Concerts are free, and are presented by the Downtown Burbank Partnership.

Whether you like the smooth sounds of Frank Sinatra, the wacky stylings of Sha Na Na or just want to rock out to Beatles tunes, the Summer Concert Season at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank aims to have the music to fit your tastes. Beatles fans will be screaming, "yeah, yeah, yeah," on Sunday when cover band the Fab Four opens the season. This is the first time the band will play the entire evening without an opening act, said program organizer Kristen Smith, recreation services manager for the city of Burbank.

Trombone mega-star Bill Watrous will perform with the La Cañada High School jazz band in a concert at 7:30 p.m. tonight Friday, April 27 at Lanterman Auditorium. Watrous, a band leader, studio musician and club performer, will lead students in songs including "Mama Llama Samba," "Never Let Me Go," "Last Great Georgia Extravaganza" and "Village Dance." The LCHS concert band, symphonic band and wind ensemble will also perform. The concert will be a benefit to raise money for the Patio Project, an improvement project at LCHS in which lunch tables, benches and landscaping will be installed outside the new band room.

The Colburn Orchestra, from the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, is tuning up for its debut at the Alex Theatre on Sunday. This performance is just the beginning of sharing students' talent with surrounding communities, said Deborah Berman, dean and chief academic officer. "We are really looking to bring the Colburn Orchestra to new audiences in the L.A. area," she said. For more than 55 years, the Colburn School of Performing Arts has offered performing arts education to young people, she said.

Some 82-year-olds settle into their rocking chairs and sing the blues about their aches and pains. But Linda Hopkins prefers to rock the house while singing blues favorites twice a month at Revo Art and Jazz Café in Glendale. The veteran actress has made a career of cabaret singing and in December Revo owner Henry Kazarian invited her to start a talent showcase on Sunday nights. "I'm trying to build up and get young artists known," Hopkins said. "And get people here looking for good talent."

In an unusual collaboration, the acclaimed La Cañada High School Jazz Band will perform in a joint concert with the Pasadena City College Swing Band at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 9 in the LCHS Auditorium, 4463 Oak Grove Drive. The evening, directed by LCHS Music Instructor Jason Stone, LCHS Band Director Susan Hamre, and PCC Music instructor and LCF resident Dennis Kaye, will feature lively music for the entire family. The LCHS Jazz Band roster includes senior trombone player Nicky Moura, who recently was selected for the California Band Director's Association All-State Band, a high honor.

It was Oscar fever at the Crescenta Valley High School PTSA Founders Day celebration on Tuesday evening, Feb. 20. Keeping with the theme of the evening, "A Night At the Awards," the Falcon Café was outfitted in silver, black and gold, complete with balloons, statuettes, and a room filled with service award nominees. The evening began with music expertly performed by the CVHS jazz band combo. CV PTSA President Debbie Green welcomed guests and, after the presentation of colors and national anthem, invited everyone to enjoy a buffet dinner prepared by Cathy Turansky.