Our review of the 32nd Anniversary Playboy Jazz Festival | by Jerry “The Mouse” Clark
32nd Anniversary
Playboy Jazz Festival
Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood, CA
June 12-13, 2010
Day One:
The day was perfect for the festival goers. The mild temperatures, festive sounds and the aroma of picnic foods filled the air in the Hollywood Bowl. Traditionally the opening act of the festival is the sounds of future appearing musicians. This year the El Dorado High School Jazz Band showcased a talented array of jazz as the patrons were settling in.
Second on the program was Jake Shimabukuro taking his Ukulele to new heights playing a variety of styles from classical to pop. Onlookers were awed to the sounds coming from his instrument.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue started the party as they hit the stage with the booming sound of today’s New Orleans. Trombone Shorty (Troy Andrews) displayed his many talents from the trombone, vocals to trumpet. The band consisted of young New Orleans talent that I must say are future headline players. You defiantly will recognize Troy’s robust sound after a first time experience. Amazing the crowd with “Hurricane Season”, “Something Beautiful”, “One Night Only” and other tracks form his current cd Backatown. This young man is the complete package!
Cool as an ocean breeze Kurt Elling accompanied with special guest Ernie Watts prepared the late afternoon to vocals and sax. Kurt’s hip vocal style captures the full attention to the many on goers singing signature songs from many of his Blue Note catalogue. Next performing on the Playboy stage was Javon Jackson with special guest Les McCann. Both artists consistently laid down a funky jazz and neo-bop set not missing a beat. Javon has emerged as one of the finest saxophone player today while Les has not lost his touch on the ivories.
Mr. Heffner’s (Hugh) had praises for Naturally 7 in his press room interview. He was amazed by the performance of the New York City acapella group. Their style is a cross blend of hip hop, soul, rock, jazz and gospel. Their energy on stage is electric with an assortment of many sounds created vocally. It’s great to see that the old day street corner symphony is still alive today. This is a group that will make its mark in the industry.
(Christian Scott – photo courtesy of Jerry Clark)
Marcus Miller is celebrating the Miles Davis “Tutu” project this summer with the Tutu Revisited tour. The tour made a stop at the Playboy Jazz Festival with up-coming New Orleans trumpeter Christian Scott. Marcus and Christian rocked the house covering the selections from the famous Tutu lp. Christian Scott has emerged into one fine trumpet master and for Marcus he is a beast on bass.
The Los Angles based big band Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra performed at the dinner hour. This band undoubtedly is one of the world’s finest big bands. This was one of many appearances for this group at the Hollywood Bowl. Chick Corea celebrated his 69th birthday performing on the stage accompanied by Roy Haynes, Christian McBride and Kenny Garrett. The set was an amazing blend of musical improvisations.
At the Playboy Jazz Festival the grand party kicks off on the last two acts. The sun has set and it’s time to work off the meals that were indulged through the day. The Pete Escovedo Orchestra is the catalyst to get the workout started. Pete Escovedo and his children Sheila E., Peter Michael and Juan pack a mean punch. There is so much energy in the performance that it makes you wonder where they get it. This group has been a crowd favorite for many years at the Playboy Jazz Festival. Not only is the act full of energy but the group has a soft and spiritual side.
Closing out day one is Sax for Stax featuring Gerald Albright, Jeff Lorber and Kirk Whalum. There is no better way to end the day that to party with these three media giants. The theme of the set was jamming to the Memphis sound of the early days of Stax Records. The three played music from Isaac Hayes, Johnny Taylor, Otis Redding and many other artists on the label. Jeff Lorber also played a selection from his days with Jeff Lorber Fusion and like wise from Gerald and Kirk from their early work.
Well that was day one and day two is coming up!
Day Two:
Again the festival kicked off with an all star group young musicians from LA All District High School Band under the direction of Tony White and J.B. Davis. The Jazz Mafia’s Brass Bows and Beats followed with a smorgasbord of sounds from musical instruments to turntables and mixing boards. This fusion of jazz, hip hop and orchestra strings dazzled the early festival fans. The Jazz Mafia were fifty strong and each talented to boot.
The Master of Ceremonies Bill Cosby “Cos of Good Music” has graced the Playboy Jazz Festival for thirteen years. Each year Bill assembles a cast of all star players that put on a jam session setting the mood for the afternoon. Included in the 2010 group is Mark Gross, Ingrid Jensen, D.D. Jackson, Jay Hoggard, N’dugu Chancler Ron Johnson and Dwayne Burno and directing on percussion Bill Cosby.
Next on the scene are the Robert Randolph & the Family Band. Robert Randolph’s tool of trade is the pedal steel guitar along with his supporting cast of Danyel Morgan (vocals & bass) and Marcus Randolph (drums) rocked the house. The set was filled with church, the blues, rock and soul. They pleased the foot stomping crowd with an assortment hand clapping down home come to Sunday meeting gospel.
Returning to the festival for the second year was the multi talented bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding picked up where she left off the year before. Esperanza pours everything into her performance regardless if playing the upright, electric bass of vocals. She blends many styles into the performance from Afro Cuban jazz, hip hop, funk and Bosa Nova. What amazes onlookers is how a petite stature woman handles the instruments of her trade. She is defiantly a raising star!
The festival would not be complete with out representation from The Big Easy. Trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra brought the spirit of Fat Tuesday to the bowl. It is great to know that the music heritage lives on in New Orleans after experiencing the devastating Hurricane Katrina and the current oil spill in the Gulf. The spirit lives on ReNew Orleans!
It was an honor to see two of the great legends of jazz performing together on the Playboy stage. Bobby Hutcherson and Cedar Walton eased late afternoon with melodic and straight ahead numbers. Thanks to the Playboy Jazz Festival for its continued support in bringing veteran artist to its stage. World Music was represented by afro-pop Salif Keita. The marriage of song, dance and musical instruments is the exciting element that entices and draws you into loving the African beat. This was Salif Keita first appearance at the Playboy Jazz Festival and I’m sure it’ not the last.
The Manhattan Transfer gave a remarkable performance singing many of their signature tunes “Birdland”, “Operator” and “Boy from New York City”. I don’t know what it is about this group but they possess the same vigor they did thirty eight years ago. Many have tried to copy their style but there is only one Manhattan Transfer.
(George Benson – photo courtesy of Jerry Clark)
George Benson wrapped up my evening with the performance of the day. This is a man that never seems to age or lose a step. George gives you a show and must say that never have I seen Benson do less. His familiar Breezin, On Broadway and This Masquerade were many of the signature tunes preformed with distinction. George Benson is a master showman.
Due to flight arrangements I missed the last act of day two Cuban music group Tiempo Libre. Maybe I will get an opportunity to catch them at another festival or maybe they will return to the Playboy Jazz Festival in the near future. Well that wraps up my twenty forth visit to LA’s number one party of the summer. Twenty four out of Thirty two festivals aren’t bad and look for me to return next year to the 33rd Playboy Jazz Festival.
Jerry “The Mouse” Clark
Mellow Madness Music