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*Hollywood - The Playboy Jazz Festival presented in conjunction with the Los Angeles Philharmonic featured some of the most exciting and internationally renowned names in jazz together at the 2009 Playboy Jazz Festival.
Now in its 31st year, the festival presented a stellar lineup of talent Saturday, June 13th and Sunday, June 14th at the landmark Hollywood Bowl. The two day event which annually attracts over 35,000 fans, celebrated the entire spectrum of jazz.
This year’s slate of performers featured an eclectic mix of veteran jazz icons, today’s hottest young stars, world music performers, festival favorites and a few celebrities- actor/comedian/singer Jamie Foxx, actress Claudia Jordon, comedian John Witherspoon and famous photographer/author Howard Bingham.
The weather Gods look down favorably upon the festival. Saturday was overcast and pleasantly cool a welcome respite from previous summer like weather in the past.
The festival gates opened at 11:30 for early arrivals. The music began promptly at 2:30PM. The talented students from L.A. County High School For The Arts Jazz Ensemble directed by Jason Goldman fool me and a couple of others arriving for the festival. We thought that we were hearing a professional jazz band considering how polished the sound of this ensemble. Their skills were well honed as demonstrated by the crowd pleasing set.
The Cos of Good Music performed at the 31st Annual Playboy Jazz Festival. Bill Cosby with Geoffrey Keezer-paino, Anat Cohen-saxophone and Tanya Darby on trumpet (not showned Dwayne Burno-bass, Ndugu Chancler-drums and Louis Conte-percussions
The crowd got a chance to experience how they party in New Orleans. The New Birth Brass Band had the crowd dancing around the Bowl and waving handkerchiefs in the air. The group opened with “When The Saints Go Marching In,” and continued with “I’ll Fly Away,” “Mardi Gras In New Orleans-they paraded around the Bowl in a Secondline with several women joining them with parasols. The small ensemble filled the Bowl with the funk driven brass sounds of the Crescent City. They concluded their set with “St. James Infirmary.”
The Cos of Good Music featuring Dwayne Burno, Ndugu Chancler, Anat Cohen, Louis Conte, Tanya Darby and Geoffrey Keezer were tight. They opened with a wonderful intro and interlude by Geoffrey Keezer of “Compared To What” by Les McCann. Bill Cosby directed the band when he wasn’t behind a drum set.
Jon Faddis Quartet-Jon Faddis-leader/trumpet, David Hazeltine-piano, Kiyoshi Kitagawa-bass and Dion Parson-drums played a set of swinging straight ahead jazz to the delight of the jazz purist. Jon Faddis blowed some high notes into the stratosphere that were probably heard beyond the Bowl.
Bassist, singer, songwriter Esperanza Spaulding was simply sensational. She is definitely on the fast track to being inducted into several categories of music hall of fame.
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings had the crowd in the palm of their hands as they performed a crowd pleasing set of retro R&B, soul drenched in a lot of funk. Sharon Jones brought the house down dancing popular dance routines from back in the day. She performed some dances that some of us old timers have forgotten. I’m betting that Sharon Jones and Angelique Kidjoe (PBJF-2007) will be invited back to the Playboy Jazz Festival to once again ignite the crowd with their dynamic sounds and energy.
Legendary trumpeter, vocalist and sometimes comedian Jack Sheldon fronted an Orchestra of some of the top-notched L.A. based musicians. I was pleased to hear a set of straight-ahead jazz from this great band.
Remembering the Miles Davis Classic- Kind of Blue @ 50 featured Jimmy Cobb’s So What Band with Wallace Roney, Vincent Herring, Javon Jackson, Larry Willis and John Weber. The group showcased new straight-ahead interpretations of the album’s original classic pieces.
It’s a Family Affair-Part 1-The Pete Escovedo Orchestra featured Sheila E., Peter Michael and Juan Escovedo who heated up the Bowl with a set of Latin Jazz and Salsa on full throttle. Many salseros took to the dance floor.
The atmosphere changed to smooth jazz for a cool evening. Summer Storm starring Norman Brown, Eric Darius, Phil Perry and Gail Johnson dedicated their set to the late great NBA Player/ bassist Wayman Tisdale. Summer Storm is a popular ensemble with fans all across the country.
All In The Family-Part 2- The Neville Brothers considered The First Family of Funk of New Orleans brought a truck load of Crescent City soul, R&B, and funk to close out day one of the festival.
Sunday –early arrivals to the Bowl can enjoy a couple of benefits. They can avoid a last minute rush, you can unwind and get comfortable in your seat and afterwards watch all of the late comers. The best benefit of all is the chance to hear the talented high school band North Hollywood High School Jazz Ensemble directed by Jonathan Kenion. Each year, I began the day taking in the sounds provided by the young artists who is proudly carrying the torch for jazz. The band opened with a tune by Sammy Nestico that I couldn’t recall. They continued with “I’ve Got Plenty of Nothing” by George Gershwin, “Some Kind of Blue” by Ernie Watts, and “I Mean You” by Thelonious Monk and concluded with “Afro Blue.”
The future of jazz was manifested in the brilliant talent of saxophonist Anat Cohen and in the gem of a discovery by Quincy Jones of pianist Alfredo Rodriguez. Their respective sets were the highlight of the afternoon. Anat Cohen dazzled the crowd with her own group, Jason Linder-piano, Joe Martin-bass, and Daniel Freedman-drums, a day after her set with the Cos of Good Music on Saturday. Alfredo Rodriguez graciously danced across the ivories of the Steinway and Sons piano with jazz icon Herbie Hancock checking him out from stage right. Alfredo was aided and abetted by Nathan East on bass and Francisco Mela on drums.
Wayne Shorter Quartet- Wayne Shorter- saxophones, Brian Blade- drums, John Patitucci- bass and Geoffrey Keezer on piano took festival goers on a musical journey from his extensive catalog of jazz standards.
Monty Alexander’s Jazz & Roots took the crowd on a musical journey through Jamaica with a grooven set of jazz blended with Reggae.
The Dave Holland Big Band and Patti Austin was another musical highlight. The crowd was also anxiously waiting the outcome of the Lakers game.
It was time to “Party With A Purpose”- King Sunny Ade played an exciting set of Juju Music that many found impossible to sit and enjoy. They had to get up and dance.
Saxophonist Kenny G provided the smooth jazz grooves to keep people moving on and on. The festival concluded with the sizzling sounds of Latin jazz and Salsa played at high temperatures by Oscar Hernandez & The L A Salsa All-Stars.
Bill Cosby served as Master of Ceremonies. Hugh Hefner- Executive Producer, Richard Rosenzweig - President Playboy Jazz Festivals, Darlene Chan - Festival West Productions/ Producer Playboy Jazz Festivals.