From straight ahead to contemporary jazz, scorching blues to swinging big band, fiery salsa and world music, the 29th annual Playboy Jazz Festival will present a stellar lineup of talent, representing the entire spectrum of jazz on Saturday and Sunday, June 16th and 17th, at the world famous Hollywood Bowl. Featuring renowned jazz giants, international superstars, and emerging newcomers, the two day event will present a variety of highly anticipated debuts by veteran artists and today's most acclaimed young talents, as well as the return of popular Festival favorites.
The high priestess of the blues, three time Grammy winner Etta James performs with the heartfelt passion of someone who has lived what she sings. With over a dozen top ten R& B smashes and more than 25 chart toppers to her credit, she is the recipient of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Lifetime Achievement Award, is in the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame and has her own star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame. Returning to the Festival for her seventh appearance, the incomparable James will perform with her well known Roots Band, showing off the extraordinary vocal prowess and sassy blues style that has become her trademark, and made her a Festival favorite who never fails to rock the house.
Making a long anticipated Festival debut is the legendary alto sax-master Phil Woods and his Quintet, featuring Bill Charlap, Brian Lynch, Steve Gilmore, and Bill Goodwin. A multiple Grammy winner and recent recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Master Award, Woods originally came onto the music scene when bebop was being heralded as the new direction of jazz. A protégé of Dizzy Gillespie, Woods has worked with such luminaries as Quincy Jones, Thelonious Monk, Buddy Rich, Benny Goodman, Paul Simon, Steely Dan and many more. Woods and his distinguished Quintet will share their gifted interpretations of jazz standards, recalling a bit of the era of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie in the best bebop tradition.
In her first Hollywood Bowl appearance since completing her successful tenure as the Creative Chair for Jazz at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, vocalist extraordinaire Dianne Reeves returns to the Festival stage for the seventh time. One of the pre-eminent female jazz vocalists in the world, Reeves won the Grammy for "Best Jazz Vocal Performance" for three consecutive recordings, a 'first' in any Grammy category. Known for her virtuosity and masterful styling, she was the first singer to ever perform at the new Walt Disney Concert Hall. Last year she won a fourth Grammy for her recording of the title soundtrack from George Clooney's Oscar nominated film, Good Night and Good Luck. A Festival favorite, fans are eagerly awaiting her return performance and the release of her first album in five years due later this fall.
One of the greatest living guitarists and a current day icon, Buddy Guy will again dazzle the crowd with his trademark wild and frenzied guitar playing. An internationally acclaimed, multi-Grammy winner and Rock 'N Roll Hall of Famer, Guy has influenced such rock titans as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan among others. Known for his stinging electric blues and impassioned vocals, Guy's most recent CD Bring Em In, featured collaborations with famed musicians Carlos Santana and John Mayer.
A virtual genre-of-one in contemporary jazz, Grammy winning trumpeter Chris Botti has earned both critical acclaim and mainstream success. A gifted instrumentalist, talented composer, and charismatic performer, Botti is known for his lyrical melodies and the virtuosity of his playing. His last two CDs were certified Gold, and his noted PBS television special, Chris Botti Live: With Orchestra and Special Guests is one of PBS' most popular shows. Fans will no doubt be seduced again by his smooth, atmospheric style.
Just emigrated from Cuba, world renowned Salsa singer Issac Delgado will make his Festival debut in one of the first live performances of his new world tour. Described by The New York Times as "One of the greatest singers in the world regardless of genre," Delgado is considered the father of 'Timba' music, the fusion of jazz, salsa and funk. A two-time Latin Grammy nominee, his innovative mix of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, pop, jazz and avant-garde electronic sounds are sure to move fans to their feet.
Latin jazz enthusiasts will no doubt be excited by the return of Arturo Sandoval, whose Mambo Mania Big Band will make its world premiere during Sunday's show. In a revival of the worldwide '50s Mambo dance craze, Sandoval and his band will pay tribute to original Mambo creators Perez Prado and Tito Puente, complete with a full orchestra and a whole repertoire of singers and dancers. Several of Sandoval's original compositions from the movie The Mambo Kings will also be included. Expect a burning performance unlike any other you've ever seen by Sandoval.
Adding to the multi-cultural mix is young African singer Angelique Kidjo, a four-time Grammy nominee who is making her Festival debut. Kidjo broadens the boundaries of world music with her innovative arrangements of West African musical traditions, mixed with elements of R& B, funk, jazz, Caribbean rhythms and Congolese Rumba. Performing in English, French, and the African languages Yorba and Fon, her scintillating sound and alluring vocals combine to captivate the audience.
Always a favorite, The Count Basie Orchestra (under the direction of longtime veteran Bill Hughes) is an American institution. Dedicated to advancing the traditions of the big band sound, much of the music still 'swings' from musicians originally hand picked by the "Count" himself. Continuously in demand, the group has 18 Grammys to their credit, and continues to rack up numerous awards and accolades. Returning for their eighth appearance, the band continues to evolve to the delight of both fans and critics.
A special highlight of Saturday's show, the esteemed Randy Brecker-Bill Evans Soulbop Band with noted musicians Hiram Bullock, Dave Kikoski, Victor Bailey, and Rodney Holms will make their debut appearance as a group. Each an established Grammy winning artist, trumpeter Randy Brecker and saxophonist Bill Evans have been at the forefront of jazz for over 20 years. Brecker, who with his late brother Michael helped shape the sounds of jazz, R&B and rock, just won two Grammys for their latest collaboration, Some Skunk Funk, at the recent 2007 Grammy ceremony. Evans, known not only as a virtuoso saxophonist, but a prolific keyboardist, producer and writer, was one of the first to blend hip-hop and jazz and was instrumental in putting together Miles Davis' infamous comeback band in the 80s. In 2003, Brecker and Evans joined forces to form a new group, The Randy Brecker-Bill Evans Soulbop Band, a unique mixture of soul, bop, and contemporary jazz. This will be their first performance together at the Festival.
Also making his debut as a leader is one of the most talked about figures in jazz, saxophone virtuoso James Carter and his Organ Trio. Heralded as a powerful new force in jazz when he first came on the scene, Carter recently topped Downbeat magazine's annual critic's poll three years in a row in the baritone sax category. Highly regarded for his advanced technique and intensity, Carter and his Trio will showcase the instrumental prowess that has brought them all to prominence. Carter will also be performing with the Cos of Good Music.
Returning as Master of Ceremonies for his 27th season, jazz aficionado extraordinaire Bill Cosby will again bring together his own group of acclaimed musicians for the Cos of Good Music XI. They include: accomplished bassist Dwayne Burno; sax virtuoso James Carter; world class drummer and percussionist Ndugu Chancler; saxophonist Vincent Herring; trumpeter Jeremy Pelt; pianist and keyboardist Larry Willis; bass player Ron Johnson and Grammy winning vocalist, guitarist Ray Parker, Jr.
Sure to ignite the crowd is the ultimate west coast Latin party band, Johnny Polanco Y Su Conjunto Amistad. Appearing for the very first time, Polanco and his group create the kind of infectious, rhythmic, multi-layered music that compels one to want to hit the dance floor. Considered the 'hottest' salsa orchestra in Los Angeles, Polanco is proficient on 13 different instruments and has performed with such Latin jazz greats as Johnny Pacheco, Cachao, Tito Puente and many others.
One of the most influential trumpet players of his generation, Terence Blanchard's music reaches beyond the expressive sound of his trumpet. The Grammy nominated Blanchard (a New Orleans native) is also renowned for scoring films and his work with director Spike Lee. Their most recent collaboration is the highly acclaimed 2006 Hurricane Katrina documentary When The Levees Broke: A Requiem In Four Acts. This is Blanchard's second Festival appearance.
Destined to be a crowd pleaser is the return of Norman Brown's contemporary jazz group, "Summer Storm." Each a star in their own right, Summer Storm currently features Grammy winning guitarist Brown; pop R&B vocal legend and multiple Grammy winner Peabo Bryson (whose 2005 performance was a highlight of the show); soprano sax-master Marion Meadows; and Grammy nominated keyboardist Jeff Lorber. By mixing Brown's soul driven R&B, with Bryson's soulful, silky vocals and Meadow's sweet , but funky soprano sax sound, along with Lorber's melding of bebop creativity and pop song craft, they create a hybrid sound that is distinctively cool and contemporary and uniquely their own.
Also returning for a second appearance is Grammy winning Renaissance man (acclaimed bassist, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist), Marcus Miller. One of the most influential artists in jazz, blues and R&B, Miller will showcase the eclectic blend of inspirational music that has won him raves from critics and fans all over the world.
One of the most sought after talents on the music scene today is African bassist, vocalist, and composer Richard Bona. Returning for the second time, Bona (from East Cameroon, Africa) is revered for his multi-faceted singing and arranging talents that have catapulted him into the upper echelons of the jazz and world music pantheon.
Sure to be a special highlight of Sunday's show is Red Holloway's 80th Birthday Celebration with special guest Kevin Mahogany. A legend in the world of jazz and blues, Holloway is making his long awaited Festival debut as a leader. A tenor sax player known for his big, hard driving sound, Holloway has performed with everyone from Billie Holliday, Muddy Waters, and Sonny Rollins to Aretha Franklin, George Benson and countless others. With a voice reminiscent of the late Joe Williams, Kevin Mahogany is considered the quintessential jazz vocalist. Together, they will demonstrate the artistry that has made them both famous.
Direct from New Orleans, Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha Chas will take the Playboy stage for the very first time. The group plays zydeco, the fast and furious accordion driven dance music of the Creole people of southern Louisiana. With seven albums to their credit, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas are known for their trademark rubboard percussion, electric guitars, and R&B grooves. Like their newest album, Hang It High, Hang It Low, the group delivers the expressive down home sounds of roots music that made them one of the most popular acts at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Best known for his role on the celebrated long running classic television series The Cosby Show, bass player Malcolm-Jamal Warner is now taking on the music world with his jazz/funk band, Miles Long. Offering a fresh perspective on today's music, Warner and his band are making their Festival debut. Playing to packed houses throughout the Los Angeles club circuit and opening for such high profile acts as Earl Klugh and the late Luther Vandross, the band's debut CD, …the miles long mix tape… has a distinctive sound, running the gamut from Living Color to Coltrane.
The Eagle Rock High School Jazz Ensemble will open Saturday's show at 2:30 p.m. Opening Sunday's show at 2:00 p.m. is Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Miles Long.
George Wein serves as producer of the Playboy Jazz Festival for the 29th consecutive year. Darlene Chan is associate producer for both the Playboy Jazz Festival and Festival Productions, Inc. Hugh Hefner is executive producer and Richard Rosenzweig is president of the Playboy Jazz Festival. For more information on the Playboy Jazz Festival and for ticket information and sales,call (310) 450-1173 or visit our Web site, www.playboyjazz.com.
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