Playboy Jazz Festival
How did this wonderful event begin?
In 1978 Hugh Hefner hosted a jazz festival in celebration of 25 years of Playboy Magazine. He rented out the Hollywood bowl and held it over a Friday and Saturday night. It was a huge success and has just celebrated it;s 32nd year. Thank you Mr. Hefner.
The ambiance at the playboy festival comes not only from the music, which can be incredible, but also from the people who attend. Some of which have gone all 32 years. It is like a big annual jazz lover's reunion for many. The Venue could not be any better than the Hollywood Bowl. The acoustics are amazing, and who doesn't want to be out under the stars on a June Evening? The best part of the day, other than the music, is the way all my fellow jazz lovers celebrate it. They line up at the entrance with their picnic baskets of food ranging from crab legs to fried chicken. They generously fill their ice chest with good wine, champagne and beer. They cover their tables with table cloths, vases of flowers and snacks galore. When all of this is done, they sit back in their chairs and ENJOY, ENJOY ENJOY. This year was my 14th year and I can't imagine ever missing it. It is a truly an addictive festival.
So lets talk about the music. The day started out with Jake Shimabukoro. Jake plays the Ukulele. Yes I did say Ukelele. Jazz? No it's not but we will get into that in a bit. Jake was amazing at his talent. It was a one man show in which Jake takes the instrument from Bach to Beatles. Very different, but I did find it a little repetitious after a while. Maybe I am just not a big Ukulele fan.
One of my favorite things about music festivals is that you never know what can happen, and there is always a pleasant surprise or two that will just knock you off your feet, or even more appropo, will get you up on your feet dancing. The next act of the day was that surprise for me. Trombone Shorty & New Orleans Avenue. was defiantly the youngest band of the day, with T.S. (Trombone Shorty) being only 25 and his band members around the same. Let me tell you, they blew it out of the park, and when I say "Blew it", I mean that literally.
TS got his name at age 4 when his older brother. Trumpeter James Andrews saw him marching in a street parade playing a Trombone that was bigger then him. T.S. is more then a Trombonist, he is also a very skilled Trumpeter, singer and bandleader with Orleans Ave. being his first band of his own. What I loved about this band is the energy they pumped out, which was high. At one point T.S. was blowing on his trumpet for what seemed an eternity. We are talking mind blowing, cheek puffing, bring many to their feet kind of music. Don't let Trombone Shorty fool you with this being his first band. He has been around as he has played with Neville Brothers, Harry Connick Jr, Norah Jones, Dianna Krall, Rapper-Juvenile, U2 and Green day. That is to just name a few. The bands high voltage sound can be heard on their new CD Backatown. They performed Hurricane at the show and that was my favorite.
Next on the lineup was Kurt Elling, a leading bop singer in the industry. This man has the pipes. He can sing any of the standards or ballads but my favorite talent that Kurt has is his amazing gift of scat. This style can be a little low key for my taste but that could have been from the fact he had to follow Trombone Shorty. It did seem that only have the audience was paying attention.
So we are now getting into early evening. You can feel the crowd getting more relaxed, as the wine glasses are refilled, the chicken and potato salad is being served up and the blankets are coming out. It is time for Javon Jackson with special guest - the great singer-keyboardist Les McCann.
Javon blows the Tenor Sax and he does it right. Javon Jackson came into international prominence as a member of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. As a member of Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Javon toured and made many recordings with the legendary drummer. Javon not only has played with Blakey, but many others. I personally have always loved the sound of the Tenor Sax, and this man has the chops. I could have listened to him for much longer. Now you match Javon up with Les McCann and you get pure jazz with that great fun funk sound that Les has been producing since 1956. In the mid 90's Les had a stroke, but thanks to the jazz gods he is making a come back.
Naturally 7 was next. This group is a cappella group and one that closely emulates real instruments, sounding like an instumental band. Again I ask. Jazz? I think not. I could get completely on my soap box right now, but I am not going to bore you.. I do have to say. LEAVE THE JAZZ FESTIVAL as a JAZZ FESTIVAL. We don't have many left. This was completely the wrong band for the day.
Ok I am moving on. I will talk about positive things such as Marcus Miller-Electric Bassists extraordinaire. This guy has been playing Clarinet, piano and bass since he was 13, and gigging since he was 15. All I know is he ROCKS, playing jazz and funk effortlessly. Loved it!!!!!!
Marcus has played with Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Eric Clapton, Mariah Carey and Wayne Shorter just to name a few. Whew! Bet you he has some stories.
Well this blog is getting lengthy so here is the remainder of the night. All greats and all played great.
Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra always flawless. If you didn't appreciate the big band sound before seeing them, you can be guaranteed you will after.
Chick Corea Freedom Band. Grammy award winner Chick Corea and his all star band of Christian McBride, Roy Haynes and Kenny Garrett. Well with those names you could not be anything but Wonderful. Even if you tried.
Next was Legendary Latin Jazz musician Pete Escoveda mastering the percussion's as always, and his Orchestra. Pete the father of Sheila E. (my favorite percussion diva of all time) Peter Michael and Juan Escoveda loves playing with his family. Latin Jazz played with this much skill and fun always gets the audience on their feet smiling from ear to ear. As it did again.
As I missed the last act of Sax for Stax, I will end with this.
It was another phenomenal year as always. I have decided that I am doing both days next year. The addiction grows.
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