The Long Beach Jazz Festival

[Lois Gilbert]

The Long Beach Jazz Festival Returns - August 11th-13th 07/31/2006 16:05


George Duke and Stanley Clarke
Every year, the Long Beach Jazz Festival concert promoter Al Williams (head of Rainbow Productions) is known for bringing together the most dynamic musicians from the worlds of Rhythm & Blues, Smooth Jazz and Traditional Jazz – particularly with an African American audience in mind. This year’s event – The 19th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival, slated for the weekend of Friday August 11 through Sunday August 13 – is an exceptional example with artists ranging from an all-star band featuring singer/guitarist Jonathan Butler, bassist Wayman Tisdale and tenor saxophonist Kirk Whalum on Friday to soul superstar Howard Hewett and Latin Jazz giant Poncho Sanchez on Sunday.
Of particular interest will be the all-important Saturday line-up, this year being headlined by the chameleonic team of bassist Stanley Clarke and keyboardist George Duke. Both solo stars in their own right, the duo is preparing to record its fourth Clarke-Duke Project album, so they are warming up in selected cities across the country with a concert set that includes solo hits as well as gems they have recorded together – a true coup for the LBJF! Also on the Saturday bill are robust soul-jazz saxophonist Everette Harp, ultimate smooth jazz showman Brian Culbertson (who plays keyboards AND trombone with equal fire), powerhouse singing sensation Phil Perry, and, finally, laidback and romantic soprano sax man Kim Waters.

Rounding out the festival on Friday are Brian Simpson, David Benoit and the Christian Hernandez Quintet. And on Sunday, the other performers are guitarists Nils, Jeff Golub and Peter White, saxophonists Gerald Albright and Richard Elliot and the annual appearance by Al Williams Jazz Society featuring incomparable vocal stylist Barbara Morrison.

Once again, the setting for the LBJF is the breathtaking seaside locale of Rainbow Lagoon Park on Shoreline Drive in Long Beach, California. As with previous Long Beach Jazz Festivals, the 19th Annual 3-day music extravaganza has a special theme and focus—“All That Jazz… and More.”

As one of the longest-running annual jazz festivals in Southern California, the Long Beach Jazz Festival offers something for everyone, from soulful party-vibe grooves to more traditional jazz improvisation. Commenting on this year’s lineup, Williams says, “I feel a special bond with the lineup that has been assembled this year. It is a true mix of all the elements that have sustained jazz’s popularity for decades; a touch of rhythm, soul, international flavor, innovation and future jazz stars. It all adds up to great music for all fans of jazz.” Rainbow Promotions believes in fostering upcoming jazz talent, so each year they sponsor the Long Beach Jazz Star Search Competition, produced by Steve Adams of Century City Records. The winner of the competition opens the Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Also this year, KJAZZ 88.1 FM sponsored a youth jazz band competition, and the winner, the Christian Hernandez Quintet, will open the Festival Friday night.

Tickets are available through Rainbow Promotions at (562)-424-0013, or online at Ticketmaster.com. VIP tickets are $140 on Friday and $165 per seat on Saturday and Sunday—including dinner, wine service and backstage access. Reserved box seat tickets are $55 on Friday and $70 per seat on Saturday and Sunday. General admission/lawn seating is $40 (prior to August 11) and $45 at the gate. Gates open at 5pm, with show time starting at 7pm. Friday and Saturday gates opens at 11:00am and show time starts at 12 noon.