The 23rd annual Long Beach Jazz Festival will be held August 13–15 in the California city of the same name at Rainbow Lagoon Park. This year’s festival boasts a highly anticipated lineup, which includes; saxophonists Boney James and Dave Koz, South African guitarist-vocalist Jonathan Butler, the amazing Sheila E, popular chanteuse Melanie Fiona, the legendary Al Jarreau and the George Duke Trio.
Festival planners are also excited about fans having the opportunity to witness two first-time special performances this year — a tribute to the late Grover Washington Jr. by an all-star band (Ronnie Laws, Chante Moore, et al); and a reunion of The Original Jazz Crusaders (Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder). It’s their first Southern California appearance together in many years.
The theme for the three-day musical extravaganza is “Jazz Up Your Summer” and it highlights superstars in the smooth jazz, straight ahead and R&B genres.
Event promoter and Rainbow Promotions executive Al Williams, is taking his spot in the limelight. “I’m excited this year to have a great variety of artists. It is a collection of all the elements that have sustained jazz’s popularity for decades — a touch of rhythm, soul, international flavor, innovation and future jazz stars. It’s all great music.”
The Al Williams Jazz Society will perform on August 15.
–yvette caslin
Tickets are available through Rainbow Promotions at (562)-424-0013, or online at www.longbeachjazzfestival.com.
