PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL ADDS THREE ARTISTS TO 2012 LINEUP

Written by The Jazz Gypsy

PIANIST PATRICE RUSHEN, NEW ORLEANS’ BIG CHIEF MONK, AND LATIN JAZZ BANDLEADER LOUIE CRUZ BELTRAN WILL APPEAR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, JUNE 16TH AND 17TH AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL

Headliners include Ramsey Lewis, Robin Thicke, Ozomatli, Sheila E., Boney James and Christian McBride

The Playboy Jazz Festival has added three more acclaimed artists to its stellar 2012 lineup. Showcasing the full spectrum of jazz, the Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 16th and 17th at the world famous Hollywood Bowl.

Joining the roster of Grammy-winning jazz greats and rising stars are multi Grammy-nominated R&B pianist/composer Patrice Rushen, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian phenomenon Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, and Latin Jazz Bandleader Louie Cruz Beltran.

International Jazz Day in New Orleans

By Ricky Richardson

Several hundred jazz aficionados got an early jolt to their day during the inaugural International Jazz Day in Congo Square, the birthplace of jazz in Louis Armstrong Park, located in historic Fauberg Treme.

The first annual International Jazz Day, April 30th was celebrated with an All-Star concert in New Orleans at sunrise and in New York at sunset.The International Jazz Day was celebrated by millions worldwide. International Jazz Day was presented by UNESCO in partnership with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. International Jazz Day was created to celebrate and recognize jazz music as a universal language of freedom. International Jazz Day hope to encourage and highlight intercultural dialogue and understanding through jazz, America's contribution to the world of music. There is a popular saying "Jazz made in America; celebrated and enjoyed all over the world." It is also fitting that this inaugural event was held in a park name after Louis Armstrong who is and continues to be a worldwide Jazz Ambassador.

The early morning fog burned off as Luther Gray led a group of percussionist for a Ritual drumming as people arrived in the park. Freddi Williams Evans recited a poem Congo Square: African Americans in New Orleans. Harry Shearer served as Master of Ceremonies.

The Treme Brass Band with Dr. Michael White and Kermit Ruffins performed "Canal Street Blues" with a dash of "When the Saints Go Marching In." New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landreau and UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova delivered remarks in honor of the occassion. International Jazz Day will be celebrated every year on April 30th, the last day of Jazz Appreciation Month.

International Jazz Day is Herbie Hancock's first major program introduced as a Goodwill Ambassador. International Jazz Day was created to celebrate and recognize jazz music as a universal language of freedom. It is intended to unite communities all over the world to celebrate jazz; its roots, and its impact.

Jeff Bradshaw - Bon Appetit

Welcome to the latest issue of Denis Poole’s Secret Garden, the page that offers a personal perspective on the very best from the world of smooth jazz and classic soul.

It was in 2003 that trombone player; vocalist and producer Jeff Bradshaw made a tilt for solo stardom with the CD Bone Deep. Of course since then he has featured often with many of his Hidden Beach label-mates but now has come roaring back with a double album which might yet prove to be one of the best cross-over releases of 2012. It’s titled Bone Appetit and what Bradshaw is really all about can be summed up in the one minute and thirty seven seconds of the opening number ‘Searching’. Atmospheric, urban and hypnotizing, this is what he routinely does best and, in an expansive collection that explores the varying complexions of jazzy R & B, Bradshaw also proves himself to be the undisputed master of urban trombone.

What We're Listening To ** March 2012

D E N I S * P O O L E

‘One Night In Paris’ by Dave McMurray from his excellent CD I Know About Love. This mellifluous track, embellished by the vocals of TIYI Adjovi and superb flute from McMurray, is right up there with the albums best.

‘Just To Fall In Love’ by Najee from his latest release The Smooth Side Of Soul. Here Najee’s playing on flute is wonderful and is complemented in no small measure by the outstanding vocals of Phil Perry.

‘Saxdance’ by Reinhold Schwartzwald from his recently re-released collection Sunset. Produced by the legendary Patrice Rushen, this gorgeous tune opens with a rhythm reminiscent of what Quincy Jones used to routinely do for Michael Jackson, and develops into a wonderfully commercial smooth jazz tune, that is sure to do well.

‘Venice Street Fair’ by Brian Auger from his highly acclaimed new album Language Of The Heart. Motivated by the Annual Street fair in Venice Beach, CA, where Brian now resides, this deceptively easy grooving number is added to in no small measure by a guitar solo from Jeffrey ‘Skunk’ Baxter that is right on the money.

‘91 North’, by Rahni Song, from the CD Breakin’ The Rules. Rahni Song (aka Rahni P. Harris, Jr.) really has a lot going on. Active as a producer, composer, arranger, songwriter, recording engineer and educator, his resume includes extensive work with legendary funksters Bootsy Collins and George Clinton. His new CD, Breakin’ The Rules, is fine example of the urban direction in which contemporary jazz is currently flowing and contains a number of what can accurately be described as truly outstanding tracks. Amongst these is the first tune to be selected for radio, the sumptuously turned down ‘91 North’. It finds Rahni (who is immaculate on keys) in the substantial company of sax-man Marion Meadows.

Darren Rahn - Speechless

Welcome to the latest issue of Denis Poole’s Secret Garden, the page that offers a personal perspective on the very best from the world of smooth jazz and classic soul.

It was through his work with the late Wayman Tisdale that producer, composer and saxophonist Darren Rahn first made his mark. At first his role was very much behind the scenes and behind the mixing console but his studio activities with Tisdale and an assortment of other smooth jazz heavy hitters proved pivotal in launching his solo career. Three critically acclaimed solo albums ensued and now he is back with number four, the high octane Speechless.

Spaghettini Grill and Lounge in Seal Beach takes top honors for best performance venue!

Written by The Jazz Gypsy

Spaghettini Grill and Lounge
3005 Old Ranch Parkway
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Reservations/Information: 562.596.2199

Website: https://www.spaghettini.com

If you're looking for a place where the music, food, drinks and ambiance are consistently exceptional, then look no further than Spaghettini Grill & Lounge in Seal Beach, California. Established in 1988, by California restauranteurs Laurie Sisnersos and Cary Harwick, Spaghettini's has always been known for their sumptuous Tuscan grilled cuisine, award-winning wine list, and their well-educated, attentive and professional wait staff. However, over the past several years, "Spags", (as it's affectionately known by the locals), has done all the right things to earn a stellar reputation as "THE" best entertainment venue in Southern California.

Since remodeling their Performance Lounge, and upgrading their sound system, Spags has significantly expanded their entertainment calendar to not only include some of the biggest names in the smooth/contemporary jazz industry but they also present A-list artists that are known in the Straight Ahead Jazz, Latin Jazz, Jazz Fusion, and World Music arenas. And, just like a good gumbo, it all seamlessly works together, bridging the sometimes artificial boundaries between various musical genres.