Our Review of the 31st Annual Playboy Jazz Festival 2009 | by Jerry Clark | TheUrbanMusicScene.com

31st Anniversary

Playboy Jazz Festival

Hollywood, CA

June 13-14, 2009

(We welcome back the travelin’ man for T.U.M.S., Jerry “The Mouse”: Clark, as he had a great time (And so did T. Hanna) at this years 31st annual Playboy Jazz Festival! Here’s Jerry’s take on the event! All photos courtesy of Jerry Clark)

Just think 31 years ago Hugh Hefner’s idea to put on this amazing festival would evolve into the great event that it has. The festival is filled with America’s great Jazz contribution to the world of music but let’s not forget the Blues, Latin, Zydeco and World music that has also become a festival trademark. When the first act enters from the revolving stage it becomes a non stop party.

Day One:

Each year the festival reminds the jazz enthused crowd where the music baton has been passed. The opening act the youthful Los Angeles County High School for the Arts performed under the direction of Jason Goldman. Performing within the jazz orchestra is our future festival artists. We must remember to support music and the arts in our schools.

What a way to fire up a crowd by having Mardi Gras in June with the New Birth Brass Band. This Big Easy band had the crowd shaking their tail feathers, waving the white handkerchiefs and catching beads. New Birth Brass proved to be the medicine needed to kick off the afternoon.

Directing the third act Cos of Good Music is the Master of Ceremonies Bill Cosby.This is year twelve that Cosby’s group has graced the stage of the Playboy Jazz Festival. The All Star group of Dwayne Bruno, Ndugu Chancler, Luis Conte, Tanya Darby, Geoffrey Keezer and newcomer Anat Cohen superbly performed. Anat Cohen skillfully amazed the crowd with the clarinet and sax heightens the anticipation of her Sunday Quintet performance.

Talent, beauty and genius rolled into one package, that’s Esperanza Spalding. The bassist fresh out of Berklee College of Music awed us with melodies and funk from her sweet upright bass and vocals. My favorite selections “I Know You Know” and “Ponta De Areia” was height of my first experience. Look for more music from this jewel in future recordings.

I remember living in the South in the early 60’s and tuning into the radio and listening to James Brown, Ike & Tina. My youthful listening to radio and attending concerts on the many soul revue circuits brought back many memories when Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings graced the Playboy stage. A party exploded in Hollywood as Sharon belted out one song after another. Sharon and the Dap-Kings had the crowd in a stone cold funk as we danced and finger popped. This is an act that I will be waiting to see again.

We celebrated a milestone in the midday with Jimmy Cobb the one survivor of Miles Davis famous Kind of Blue sextet. This year marked the 50^thanniversary of the release of the jazz standard “Kind of Blue”. Jimmy Cobb formed a cast of today’s jazz musicians to celebrate this famous event by performing the many great standards of this all time classic. Selections “So What”, “All Blues” and “Blue in Green” rekindled memories of the old heads and mesmerized the youngsters. This was an historical experience to say least.

There are great musical genes in the Escovedo family. The energy tank is set on full when this family hits the stage. The Pete Escovedo Orchestra (Pete, Shelia, Peter Michael, Juan and a host of others) mixed it up with blend of salsa, jazz and soul which brought excitement to the late afternoon spectators. Bravo!!!

The festival would not have been complete without a tribute to the late Wayman Tisdale. Norman Brown’s Summer Storm honored Wayman with a stellar performance fit for a king. The package consisted of Norman Brown, Phil Perry, Eric Darius and Gail Johnson performing many selections from their current cd’s. Wayman must have been pleased!

Wrapping up day one is The Neville Brothers. At each Playboy Jazz Festival the final act of the day is a send off to prepare you for the next day. To describe the set is Fat Tuesday on Saturday in LA. Yes, that sounds like a party and a party it was. Songs like “Fiyo on the Bayou” and “Yellow Moon” set off the joyous crowd dancing and waving their hankies.

Got to get some rest day two Sunday!

Day Two:

Sunny and in the low 80’s day two started with a talented youthful group of high school jazz enthusiast. The North Hollywood High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Jonathan Kenion entertained the fans as they were settling in for the amazing Sunday lineup. Again I must stress to importance to support music and the arts in our schools. Both youth groups performing over the weekend are keeping jazz music alive.

Anat Cohen member of the Cos of Good Music showcased the Anat Cohen Quartet.The gifted clarinet and saxophonist dazzled us
with a mixture of Afro Cuban, straight ahead and Brazilian. The audience was very receptive of her creative style and welcomed her with open arms. I would like to see Anat perform in a small setting and witness more of her unique style.

Next debuting on stage Quincy Jones presents Alfredo Rodriguez. Alfredo the Cuban born pianist is definitely on the move. He captured the eye on anon looking Herbie Hancock watching from the side of the stage. This skillful young man has a Tatum/Monk style of performing. The jazz community has another youngster that will keep the movement progressing.

Veteran Wayne Shorter followed in the true spirit his four decades of his masterful career. Wayne’s energy in performing and writing is second to none. His unique brand of saxophone compliments the likes of Joe Zawinul, Herbie Hancock and Freddie Hubbard. Wayne brings out the best in the musicians that performs with him. On the ticket with Wayne -Brian Blade (drums), John Pattucci (bass) and Danilo Perez (piano): all heavy hitters.

Patti Austin electrifying performance rocked the house from “Razzamatazz” to “The Heat of Heat”. Patti’s performance is a feel good rollercoaster ride; you are dancing minute and the next you are holding on to your sweetheart. Patti is truly a great voice in today’s music.

Representing World Music is King Sunny Ade dynamic African guitar. Returning to the Playboy stage the crowd knew the party was about to start. The sounds, colors and the movements in this performance lighten up the senses.This group is always a favorite in the Bowl.

My first year attending the Playboy Jazz Festival was in 1986. That year Kenny G performance received an up roaring applause during his grand entrance. Twenty three years later the same, I thought I was having flashbacks. In the spirit of Kenny you get the Smooth Jazz package; “Songbird”, “Don’t Make Me Wait For Love” and “Silhouette”. Kenny’s commanding performance will always be a Playboy Jazz Festival favorite.

Wrapping up day two is Oscar Hernandez & the Salsa All Stars. What a way to end the party with a taste of salsa. The 2009 festival is over but 2010 is right around the corner.

Thank you Playboy staff for arranging the wonderful festival.

CU next year!

Jerry”The Mouse” Clark

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