30th Anniversary Playboy Jazz Festival continues free community concert series for Southern California music fans in May and June
As the Playboy Jazz Festival celebrates 30 years of outstanding musical performances, Playboy continues to honor its pledge to bring the best of jazz to Southern California fans by offering a free community concert series throughout greater Los Angeles. Featuring top local artists and rising stars, the free concerts will be held in Beverly Hills, Watts, Woodland Hills and Los Angeles throughout May and June. The acclaimed six-week series, which includes the noted Jazz on Film Night, will be presented in conjunction with the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Playboy Jazz Festival to be held Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 at the world famous Hollywood Bowl.
On Sunday, May 4, Beverly Hills will sizzle and swing when Playboy presents Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers and Bobby Rodriguez LatinJazz at the Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza. Smith, a sultry chanteuse, leads one of the top swing and jump blues bands in the country. Her eight-piece group is known for their large repertoire of classics by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington, as well as a variety of musical styles including swing, bebop, salsa and New Orleans R&B. Grammy-nominated trumpeter and bandleader Bobby Rodriguez will also perform, leading a group combining the best of traditional Latin music with an exciting, contemporary sound and bebop improvisation.
Returning to the Bradley Senior Center, the L.A. Multi-School Jazz Band will play a selection of classic jazz standards when they perform Friday, May 9. Under the inspirational leadership of director Reggie Andrews, the band features talented young students from public and private schools throughout the greater Los Angeles community. Sponsored by the Thelonious Monk Institute, the program provides intensive musical training, performance opportunities, scholarships and private in-school instruction.
The newest event, Playboy Jazz at Warner Park (presented successfully for the first time last year as part of the Valley Cultural Center's "Concerts in the Park" program), will return by popular demand with another exciting lineup of talent on Sunday, June 1.
One of the hottest stars on the contemporary jazz scene today, saxophonist Michael Lington will captivate the crowd with his compelling mix of cool funk, innovative melodies and passionate playing. Veteran jazz singer Ernie Andrews will swing, strut and sing the blues, featuring his interpretations of classics from Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and more. The B-Side Players will also bring their trademark fusion of global funk to the party mix. Their hard-driven, polyrhythmic sound melds an ethnic mix of reggae, salsa and Latin jazz with politically charged lyrics that make them a musical force to be reckoned with. Rounding out the afternoon is Los Angles vocalist Raya Yarbrough who will capture the audience with her mesmerizing blend of jazz, pop and R&B. The Chatsworth High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Larry Williams, will open the show.
Known for his extensive collection of rare jazz films and documentaries, acclaimed jazz archivist Mark Cantor will present his popular annual program Jazz on Film, featuring an evening of rare jazz footage at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Bing Theater on Thursday, June 5.
"Our annual series of free community events is one way in which we offer quality jazz entertainment to a broad and diverse cross section of the public who already love jazz, and expose potential new jazz fans to a musical experience that will remain with them for many years to come. As a part of our 30th anniversary, we are especially pleased to be able to offer these events and continue expanding our outreach," stated Playboy Jazz Festival President Richard Rosenzweig.
Playboy Jazz Festival Free Events
Playboy Jazz in Beverly Hills
Sunday, May 4
3 p.m.
Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza
Performances by Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers and Bobby Rodriguez LatinJazz
Refreshments and food will be sold. Sorry, no glass containers, alcoholic beverages, audio recorders or video cameras are permitted. Two-hour free parking will be available at the Civic Center Plaza at 450 N. Rexford Drive.
Friday, May 9
11:00 a.m.
Bradley Senior Center, Watts
Performance by the L.A. Multi-School Jazz Band under the direction of Reggie Andrews
Playboy Jazz at Warner Center Park
Sunday, June 1
1:30-8 p.m.
Playboy Jazz at Warner Center Park
Warner Center Park, Lou Bredlow Pavilion, Woodland Hills
Performances by Michael Lington, Ernie Andrews, B-Side Players, Raya Yarbrough and the Chatsworth High School Band under the direction of Larry Williams
The Children's Play Zone will feature inflatable bouncers, clowns, face painting and balloon artists all free of charge. Food and refreshments will be sold in the food court area. Patrons are allowed to bring blankets, beach and lawn chairs, picnic baskets and coolers. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Sorry, no canopies, glass containers, alcoholic beverages, cans, audio recorders, video cameras or barbecue grills. Parking is available for $8 in parking structures on Califa Street or in parking structures east of Owensmouth Avenue between Califa Street and Oxnard Street. For further information on this event only, please contact the Valley Cultural Center at 818-704-1358 or visit the website at www.valleycultural.org.
Jazz on Film
Thursday, June 5
Tickets will be available at noon, and doors open at 7 p.m.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Bing Theatre
An evening of rare and often never-before-seen jazz footage hosted by noted jazz archivist Mark Cantor
Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seating is free, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available at noon on June 5 at the L.A. County Museum of Art ticket office located in Times Mirror Court. Street and lot parking are available. Doors open at 7 p.m. Program begins at 7:30 p.m.
* Please note that this event is one week earlier than past years.
Photo credits: Michael Lington, Albert Sanchez; Raya Yarbrough, Pamela Springsteen; Bobby Rodriguez, Peter Iovino; Lavay Smith, Katherine Miller; B-Side Players, Devin DeHaven
