|
Jazz In The Pines Looking for Younger Audience?
By Ed Munson
In this 2005 season it seems that the Idyllwild Jazz In The Pines concert will be trying to capture younger audiences with less focus on traditional Jazz and an expansion of other music forms.
Andy Fraga in the studio |
Now in its 12th year, the Idyllwild Jazz In the Pines festival has grown steadily from humble beginnings. I recently spoke with Andy Fraga, renowned Jazz pianist based in Palm Springs.
“Marshall Hawkins, Pat Rizzo and myself started the festival as a way to showcase talent from the Idyllwild Arts Academy and bring in bigger names in the business,” reflects Andy.
“Back then it really was almost just the three of us, running all over the place tying to get things done, get things ready. It was joyously insane. Now, of course, there are hundreds of volunteers and the structure is much more organized, which good for everyone.”
Further on in this article, you can read more about some of the individual artists who will be entertaining this year.
Bringing in younger fans is Brian Culbertson, who provides a very lively Jazz show. Big Bad VooDoo Daddy has made a name playing a swing style of music and Change Required offers an original blend of Blues, Classic Rock, Country and Jazz.
Brian Culbertson |
This is indeed a change in direction for the festival but if you want to hear some of the best Jazz around, be sure to check out Yve Evans, The Bolivar Brothers, Andy Fraga Trio, Pat Rizzo and, of course, Marshall Hawkins and the Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra featuring: Sherry Williams, Patrick Tuzzolino, Emma Showalter and other special guests.
Below you will find a schedule of artists and I hope you already have your rooms booked for the two days because you really should not miss any of these acts. Most of the musicians I mentioned in the previous paragraph are local to the Palm Springs area and you are likely to find them playing a variety of local clubs.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy |
It is a real treat to see and hear all of these artists. If you’ve seen the locals before, again, you are in for a treat as they will be stretching out and playing some things you may not have heard in the smaller clubs.
As for bringing in the younger crowd, maybe that’s been the case for a while too, as many alumni of the Academy play the festival too, although not as headliners. Case in point: Andy Fraga Jr., a graduate of the Academy, is scheduled to play in the Symphony and the Alumni Band. Maybe you know of an Academy graduate and would like to go and see them play.
With great music for most any taste, and terrific food to match, why would you not go and spend at lest a day in Idyllwild among the scent of pine trees and the relaxing ambience of historic Idyllwild.
JAZZ IN THE PINES SCHEDULE OF ARTISTS
Jazz in the Pines is a drug-free festival, and please, no pets!
Saturday, August 27
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Yve Evans, The Bolivar Brothers, Pat Rizzo, Daniel Jackson, Andy Fraga, Change Required, The Terry Plumeri Trio, Harry Pickens
Sunday, August 28
Brian Culbertson, Peter Sprague & Pass The Drum, The Harry Pickens Trio, Henry Franklin, Peter Pupping, Ruby Presnell, Marshall Hawkins & The Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra featuring: Sherry Williams, Patrick Tuzzolino, Emma Showalter and other special guests
Performing Both Days
Johnny Neal, Rocky Zharp, Lola Rossi & Johnny Meza
About The Artists
BRIAN CULBERTSON Brian has six successful solo albums to his credit, and has been thrilling audiences with his lively and entertaining concert performances for many years. One of the top acts in smooth jazz, Brian Culbertson is a multi-instrumentalist, writer, arranger and producer, playing everything from piano to drums to trombone to bass. He has had a successful run of chart-topping CDs and number 1 singles, and has become one of the most in-demand artists for production and writing collaboration in jazz. He has headlined many a “Smooth Summer Night” with Dave Koz.
BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY Big Bad Voodoo Daddy got together in 1992 in Southern California and became a prominent fixture on L.A.’s nascent swing scene. Their signature tune is You and Me and the Bottle Makes Three Tonight (Baby). With the fall 1998 release of their major label debut CD, BBVD, entered the album charts at No. 64 and remained on the charts for more than a year. In January 1999, BBVD played the halftime show at the Super Bowl, marking their entree into mainstream American culture.
YVE EVANS This incredibly sassy, soulful lady brings her commanding presence to the stage, making audiences sit up straight. A wink, a smile, a suggestive gesture, and you’re hooked. That’s even before she raises the microphone to her lips and belts out her powerful jazzy blues tunes. Spellbinding
THE BOLIVAR BROTHERS The Bolivar Brothers, Michael and John, have been performing around the world with some of the greatest names in show business since the 1960s. They have recently moved to Palm Springs, where they are quickly making history.
PETER SPRAGUE & PASS THE DRUM Peter Sprague is a legend in jazz circles, having performed with Chick Corea, Al Jarreau, and David Benoit, among many others. He has numerous solo albums and productions to his credit. His band, Pass The Drum, is a dynamic group featuring jazz, Brazilian, reggae, and crowd-pleasing vocals.
CHANGE REQUIRED Change Required is a hot, high energy, local band with rich vocal harmonies, offering up an original blend of blues, classic rock, country and jazz. The group has performed and recorded with many well known artists and is currently promoting their newest CD.
MARSHALL HAWKINS AND THE SEAHAWK ORCHESTRA Legendary bassist Marshall Hawkins, who has performed with many jazz luminaries such as Miles Davis, and has been the head of the jazz program at Idyllwild Arts Academy since its inception in 1985, will lead his fabulous Seahawk Orchestra in a performance of beautiful music. Don’t miss it!
Location: Idyllwild is located in the cool, clean air of the San Jacinto mountains on Highway 243, only two hours from Los Angeles or San Diego, one hour from Palm Springs or Palm Desert. Highway 243 is accessible from Interstate 10 at Banning or off Highway 74 from Hemet or Palm Desert. The festival is held amid the towering native pine and oak of the Idyllwild Arts campus.
Time: The gates open at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The music begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday and plays continuously until 5:00 p.m. on both days.
Seating: There is no reserved seating in the Holmes Amphitheater, except for the Patron’s area (see Patron Package for information). You are welcome to bring cushions or folding chairs (low chairs, please, to allow everyone a good view). There is seating in Stephens Recital Hall and the French Quarter Bistro; however, it is not reserved.
Parking: There is no charge for parking. Free shuttles run from clearly marked parking locations in Idyllwild and from the center of the village. Special parking is available on site for cars with valid handicap plates.
Fine Arts & Crafts: Plan to spend some time at the festival enjoying a wide variety of wares by artists from across California.
Food & Beverages: Beer, wine, soft drinks and food concessions are located in the Picnic in the Pines area. Or you may bring your own food, if you choose. Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into the festival. The management reserves the right to search coolers, ice chests, and other containers.
TICKET INFORMATION Tickets are available by calling (951) 235-2093. Or by writing to: Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines, P. O. Box 3097, Idyllwild, CA 92549- 3097. In Idyllwild, you can buy tickets at the Idyllwild Pharmacy in the Strawberry Creek Square, or at the Earth ‘N Fire pottery store in the Fort downtown. Jazz in the Pines will only honor tickets sold by these authorized dealers: Jazz Line, Idyllwild Pharmacy, Earth ‘N Fire and by mail.
THREE JAZZY VENUES! The Holmes Amphitheater: Enjoy great jazz outdoors in a grassy terraced bowl shaded by parachutes and pines. Stephens Recital Hall: An intimate jazz experience with seating indoors and on the patio. The French Quarter: An outdoor bistro with tables for listeners and a dance floor for the adventurous! Wine and beer are available for purchase at all three venues.
LODGING Charming cabins and inns plus vacation rentals, all set amid the forested villages of Idyllwild, Pine Cove, and Fern Valley offer a wide choice of places to spend the weekend. Also available are three campgrounds in Idyllwild and several others close by. For information on Idyllwild, call the Chamber of Commerce at (951) 659-3259. Or visit the award-winning Idyllwild Town Crier newspaper’s website at: www.towncrier.com.
GALA GOURMET PATRON’S DINNER DANCE Friday, August 26 This year’s patron’s dinner dance will be held at Rush Hall on the Idyllwild Arts campus. Attendees will feast on gourmet food and fine wines. There will be dancing, great music and fine friends. The Patron Package includes the Patron’s Dinner, one ticket for each day of the festival, preferred parking, and reserved seating in the amphitheater. Total Price: $175.
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE This year we have an exciting new venue on Sunday afternoon. Marshall Hawkin’s Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra will perform in the IAF Theater located on the Idyllwild Arts campus. The Orchestra is a guide and format for composers and arrangers. It supports the local musicians, students and alumni. This year’s performance is to honor the memory of Sam Karam, a former student of Jazz at the Idyllwild Arts Academy.
DEDICATION This, the 12th anniversary of Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines, is dedicated to the incredible efforts of dozens of volunteers who make the festival a reality. People volunteer to sell tickets, drive shuttles, direct traffic, sell sodas, serve as ushers and barmaids. There are people behind the scenes, months in advance, working on web pages, setting up ticket sales, and much, much more. All this to help raise scholarship money for gifted young artists who could not otherwise afford to attend Idyllwild Arts Academy. Thank you to all. Jazz in the Pines is a scholarship fundraiser produced by the Associates of Idyllwild Arts Foundation.
Jazz in the Pines will only honor tickets sold by these authorized dealers: Jazz Line, Idyllwild Pharmacy, Earth ‘N Fire and by mail. All sales are final and non-refundable.
For More Information Jazz in the Pines website: www.idyllwildjazz.com
e-mail: idyllwildjazz@hotmail.com call: (951) 235-2093 Jazz in the Pines is a drug-free festival, and please, no pets!
|
