The summer jazz festival season in the Southwest offers a variety of special focuses, from an extended weekend of big bands and intimate cabaret performances to mountain-high concerts. Here are the details:
“A Swingin' Affair": Big Band Festival, May 21-24, Four Points Sheraton at LAX, Los Angeles, presented by the Los Angeles Jazz Institute, 20 big bands including Bill Watrous Big Band, Ann Patterson's Maiden Voyage, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, Bob Florence Limited Edition (tribute band), Los Angeles Jazz Orchestra (Sinatra tribute), Frank Capp Juggernaut, Cal Saunders Bebop Big Band, Les Hooper Big Band, Med Flory's Jazz Wave Big Band, Tom Kubis Big Band, more, plus films, panels; $375-$450 four-day badge, $10-$30 for individual sessions, 562-985-7065 or write to LA Jazz Institute, PO Box 8038, Long Beach, CA 90808-0038.
Telluride Jazz Celebration, June 5-7 (Colorado), outdoors & indoors, Ozomatli, Bill Frisell Trio, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Jimmy Herring; Donald Harrison Quintet; Lizz Wright; Rebirth Brass Band; Christian Scott; Kenny Walker, many more + student groups, or 970-728-7009, packages available, central-reservations at telluride.com.
Playboy Jazz Festival (31st), June 13-14, Hollywood Bowl, Calif, Sat: “Kind of Blue" tribute, Neville Brothers, Jon Faddis Quartet, Jack Sheldon Orchestra, Pete Escovedo Orchestra (featuring Sheila E), Summer Storm (Norman Brown, Wayman Tisdale, Eric Darius, Gail Johnson), New Orleans' New Birth Brass Band, Cos of Good Music, Esperanza Spaulding; Sun.: Wayne Shorter Quartet, Kenny G, Patti Austin, King Sunny Ade, Dave Holland's Big Band, Monty Alexander's Jazz & Roots, Anat Cohen Quartet, Oscar Hernandez and Conga Room All-Stars, Alfredo Rodriguez, more; emcee Bill Cosby, hotline 310-450-1173, tickets 213-365-3500.
Prescott Jazz Summit, Aug. 28-30, indoor concerts: Toni Tenille, Judy Roberts, Carl Saunders, Mike Vax, Scott Whitfield, Gary Hobbs, Greg Fishman, Blaise Lantana, Susannah Martin, Ginger Berglund, Tony Vacca, Jack Petersen, Ted Sistrunk, Cleve Huff, Les Czimber, Denny Garr, Tom Winker, Larry Kantor, more + high school bands, weekend pass $70, concerts $25 each, 928-771-1268, 925-872-1942, prescottjazz.com
West Coast Jazz Party, Sept. 3-6, Marriott Irvine (Calif.), produced by Joe Rothman, Four Freshmen, Ken Peplowski Quartet, Terry Gibbs Quintet, Ernie Andrews-Houston Person Quintet, Guitar Summit (Mundell Lowe, Mimi Fox, Ron Eschete), Frank Capp Juggernaut featuring Ernie Andrews, Marilyn Maye, Paul Smith Trio, Jack Sheldon and California Cool Quartet, Jim DeJulio, Chuck Berghofer's Midnight Jazz Band, JazzAmerica Big Band, Rosemary Clooney Tribute by Debby Boone, George Shearing Tribute, Byron Stripling's “Big Band Meets Broadway" with Butch Miles, Sunday harbor cruise, more, info 949-759-5003, fax to 959-759-5421, all days, $335-$375, sessions $30-$79, rooms $135-$165 to 949-553-0100.
Monterey Jazz Festival, Sept. 18-20, Calif., Dave Brubeck Quartet, Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Hank Jones, Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, John Scofield, Chick Corea, Conrad Herwig, New Orleans All-Stars, Peter Erskine, Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Quartet, more panels, films, interviews, arena & grounds tickets, [email protected] or 831-373-3366.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
