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19th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival
The weather was cool and breezy, perfect to blend with the soothing sounds the performers would create. The Festival opened with The Christian Hernandez Quintet from Mission Viejo in Orange County, the winner of the KKJZ-FM, 88.1 youth Band Competition. Apparently, they are the first ever winners of the first ever KKJZ High School Jazz Festival in the Luckman Auditorium on the Campus of Cal State Los Angeles. The award for the Best Soloist for Guitar also went to Christian Hernandez. The act consists of Christian Hernandez on guitar and electric bass; Craig Cammel on saxophones; Gabe Rudner on keyboards; Joshua Crumbly on electric bass; and Bryan Rucker on drums. At such a young age, this ensemble exudes professionalism and skill lacking in musicians some decades older than them. Their playlist comprised of 'Straight on' and 'Philly Minor' comprised by Christian Hernandez himself, followed by known arrangements like 'Seven Steps to Heaven', finally ending with 'Red Clay' originally by Freddie hubbard. What an opening. We wish the kids a bright career.
The performances for friday came to a close with David Benoit, and the All-Stars ( Kirk Whalum, Wayman Tisdale, Brian Simpson and Johnathan Butler.
The next day began with the announcement of 'Khayjhay' as the winner of the Long Beach jazz Star search Competition. This is produced by Steve Adams o Century City Records, to encourage and promote new jazz talent. A jury selects two winners to open both days of the remaining weekend of the festival. So, Khayjhay and the rest of the band, consisting of Greg Bocoden on bass; Larry Houston on keyboards and Bobby Wilkerson on drums began the second day of the festival and simultaneously raised the bar with his funky, smooth , jazz mixture. His career in jazz began 30 years ago playing with Louise Johnson, taste of honey, James Gaston, Rham lee etc. his dynamic, energetic performance mostly consisted of tracks from his own album like ' Do it', 'Chips and Salsa', and 'Mellow Wood'. In simple words, the crowd went nuts.
Stalwarts of the jazz of today- soprano saxophonist Kim Waters, Vocalist Phil Perry, Saxophonist Everette Harp were other performers of the second day. However, George Duke and Stanley Clarke received the highest amount of cheer. Finally, multi-dimensional maestro concluded the second day of the fest.
Day Three of the festival began with the other winner of the Long Beach Jazz Star search,The Reza Saleh Band. The line-up consists of Reza Saleh on bass; Binson Tobing on bass; Melissa Himawan on vocals; Jeff Magnus on Sax; Greg Farnsworth on Keyboards; Michael Wirasto on guitar; and Doug Clarkson on drums. The talented group wowed the audience with 'Breeze', 'Rats Groove', 'I Wish', 'Scavenger-Clavi, 'Bassment' and finally 'End of the Road'. Personally, Melissa was the clear frontrunner and star.
Other performers included Guitarist Nils, Al Williams Jazz Society with Barbara Morrison. Peter White, Jeff Golub, Richard Elliott and Gerald Albright of group 'Guitar and Saxez', vocalist extra-ordinaire Howard Hewett, and percussionist Poncho Sanchez and his seven piece Latin jazz ensemble clinched the show and the 19th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival. I am getting ready to buy next year's tickets.
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Thousands of jazz fans and music lovers buy tickets to settle on the lush grassy lagoon-like setting to surrender themselves for three days to America's greatest musical gift to the world- Jazz. In Rainbow lagoon's idyllic setting, the audience comes from near and far to be enchanted by old and new performers. The 19th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival was held in the weekend of August from Friday the 11th to Sunday the 13th.
