Recently in Jazz On The River Category

One of the things I love about the Bay Area is that the music festivals and local events are jumping from now through end of September. If I have missed any, please let me know. :-)

This is the final weekend of the Stanford Jazz Festival with the Stanford Jazz Workshop All-Star Jam on Friday and Dena DeRose and Steve Davis on Saturday.

The East Bay Express Best of the East Bay 2009 Party is Friday evening from 5pm to midnight at Oakland Museum of California.

The 20th AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival is this weekend from Friday through Sunday in Downtown San Jose. Only $15 per day for three days of great music featuring Allen Toussaint, Sharon Jones, Wayne Wallace, Tierney Sutton, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Bill Henderson, Sony Holland, Bettye Lavette, Jon Santo, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Buster Williams, Patrice Rushen, and many more.

The 9th Annual Art & Soul Oakland Festival is August 15 and 16. New weekend but the same great fun and entertainment for everyone. The lineup includes Shawn Colvin, Will Downing, Bobby Caldwell, and Walter and Edwin Hawkins.

Friends of the Golden Gate Public Library presents Jazz on Sunday Series every Sunday at 3pm at the Golden Gate Public Library, 5606 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, California.

Don't forget the AfroSolo Arts Festival 16 and the Yerba Buena Art Festival are running now through October.

Oakland City Center Concert Series - Concerts every Wednesday at noon at the Oakland Center in Downtown Oakland.

Kaiser Rooftop Garden Concert Series - Concerts every Friday at noon through September.

Sunnyvale Jazz Series

Aug. 15 - Tony Lindsay w/Tom Politzer (r&b & contemporary jazz)
Aug. 22 - Ed Johnson & ; Novo Tempo Quintet (contemporary Brazilian jazz)
Aug. 29 - Chester Smith Ensemble (organ straight ahead jazz)

This FREE event is open to the public and is located on Murphy Avenue (between Washington & Evelyn). For more information call 408-516-7217 or visit www.DowntownSunnyvale.com

SFJAZZ Summer Concert Series is underway and tickets for the SFJAZZ Fall Festival Season are now on sale.

Mt. Diablo Jazz Festival

Northern California's largest jazz festival returns to the Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord on August 22nd with a new lineup and a new name. Previously the JVC Jazz Festival, now called the Mt. Diablo Jazz Festival, this year brings Anita Baker, Boney James, Fourplay, Jazz Attack and local group Times 4 to Concord. Tickets for the Mt. Diablo Jazz Festival are on sale now at Livenation.com.

Downtown Berkeley MusicFest - August 27-29

Dancing in the streets, drumming in the avenues, and singing on the boulevards: all of these and more are yours this week as Berkeley's arts and entertainment hub springs into action for the Downtown Berkeley MusicFest! Highlighting the amazing diversity of Berkeley's downtown scene, the festival features a rich array of musical performances at venues throughout the downtown area.

Jazz at Filoli

Celebrate our 19th Season and Filoli's 100th Jazz Concert

Filoli Jazz lovers, please join us as we once again showcase six delightful Sunday afternoon jazz concerts held outdoors on the beautiful grounds of Filoli. Let us pamper you with great entertainment. Tables and chairs are set up on the tennis court surrounded by glorious oak trees. Parking is free, as well as snacks and drinks, including beer and white wine. Gourmet boxed lunches are available for purchase in advance. This year's program features an incredibly strong lineup of world class jazz musicians. After reading the descriptions below, I think you will agree that this year might just be our best ever. Concerts are from 1:30 pm -4:00 pm.

Next up at Filoli The Bobby Hutcherson Quartet - August 30

33rd Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival

The 33rd Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival has combined two great festivals into one weekend on September 12 and 13 at Johnson Beach Resort in Guerneville. The jazz lineup (September 12) includes Al Jarreau, Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliott, Jazz Attack, and Rick Braun with more acts to be announced. The blues lineup (September 13) includes The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Tommy Castro Band, and Bernard Allison with more acts to be announced.

Montclair Village Jazz and Wine Festival

The lineup for the Montclair Village Jazz and Wine Festival on Sunday, September 13 includes Kitty Margolis, Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet, Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, Mo'Rockin Project, and Taylor Eigsti.

52nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival

The 52nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival will be held September 18-20 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, Ca. Three days of great music. Performers include Lizz Wright, Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Joshua Redman, Soulive, Dave Brubeck, Esperanza Spalding, Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling, and many others throughout the festival grounds.

Rockridge Out & About Street Festival

On Sunday, September 27th, College Avenue in North Oakland's famed Rockridge neighborhood becomes the stage for musicians, street performers, fashion shows, lifestyle expos, wellness activities, and picnicking.

Sponsored by the Rockridge District Association, "Rockridge Out & About " features food, fun, education, health forums, live music, and dancing at this popular annual event. College Avenue becomes a culinary and shopping extravaganza as chefs fire up the grills and serve tasty delights and unique vendor booths and large tents showcasing the districts unique mix of locally owned retail shops businesses line over half a mile of
College Avenue. Take BART to Rockridge on September 27th to stroll, shop, wine and dine, dance, play and experience Rockridge Out & About.

Photo Credit: James Knox

The 32nd Annual Russian River Jazz Festival/Jazz on the River was a blast last Sunday! The weather was perfect and the music was great. On the Main Stage, extraordinary guitarist Earl Klugh and his band jammed. I was there for his last few songs which included the classic "Dr. Macumba" and tunes from his current release Spice of Life. Dynamic guitarist Terrence Brewer grooved for two sets on the Garden Stage with everything from Wes Montgomery and Frank Foster to his own orginal compositions, "Blues for Katie" and "A.D.D" from his current releases, The Calling: Volume 1, The Calling: Volume 2 and QuintEssential. Back on the Main Stage, keyboard virtuoso George Duke was putting a hurtin' on the keys. His set included classics "Sweet Baby", "Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself", and "No Rhyme or Reason." He also treated us to four songs from his new release, Dukey Treats including "Sudan" which talked about the crisis in Sudan and Darfur. He closed out his set with the title track "Dukey Treats" which was a fresh take on his straight up classic funk sound. It was shonuff funky! Our afternoon of great music closed with Guitar and Saxes which featured the incredible talents of Peter White and Jeff Golub on guitars, Gerald Albright and Jessy J on saxes, and Jeff Lorber on keyboards. Jessy J also played the flute and percussion. Rounding out their band were Dwayne "Smitty" Smith on bass guitar and Rayford Griffin on drums. Albright, White, Jessy J, Lorber, and Golub played gems from their own recordings then they all came together at the end on AWB's "Cute The Cake."

Photo of guitarists Terrence Brewer and Earl Klugh by James Knox. All rights reserved.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Denise Lamott Public Relations
(415) 897-5089
lamoore1@verizon.net

JAZZ ON THE RIVER RETURNS TO GUERNEVILLE

FOR THE 32ND YEAR ON SEPTEMBER 6 & 7

World-Class Line Up Features George Duke; Bobby Caldwell;
Wayman Tisdale; Earl Klugh; Mindi Abair plus
Guitars & Saxes: Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Lorber and Jeff Golub

Guerneville, CA – Kick back and enjoy the cool sounds from some of the country’s hottest jazz musicians at the 32nd Annual Jazz on the River festival on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7 at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville. Jazz on the River has become one of the country’s top jazz events, and the classic Northern California celebration brings great music and the finest local wines together with a picturesque outdoor setting along the banks of the Russian River. The 32nd anniversary will feature some of the biggest names in the contemporary jazz scene.

The Saturday, September 6 line-up includes Wayman Tisdale, Bobby Caldwell, Mindi Abair plus a few more acts to be announced. The Sunday, September 7 line-up includes Earl Klugh, George Duke; Guitars & Saxes 2008 with Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Lorber & Jeff Golub and more acts to be announced. For additional information on the musicians and festival, please visit russianriverfestivals.com.

In addition to great jazz music, patrons can sample Sonoma County and the Russian River Wine Region’s world-famous wines in the Wine Garden Area while enjoying the performers on the wine garden stage.

2008 Jazz on the River tickets can be purchased in advance for the best savings. Ticket prices are $45 per day or $80 for both days through September 5. Tickets purchased at the gate are $50 per day. Children 10 and under are free. Gold Tier tickets are available for $90 per day or $170 for both days (advance price only). With Gold Tier tickets, guests are allowed entrance to the preferred seating area near the front of the stage, use of a private beach chair and three wine tasting tickets.

Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at (707) 869-1595 or visiting russianriverfestivals.com; or in person at The Russian River Chamber of Commerce, 16209 First Street (at the Historical Bridge), Guerneville, CA 95446, (707) 869-9000. For additional information, call (707) 869-1595 or visit russianriverfestivals.com.

No glass, alcohol or high-back beach chairs will be permitted. Low-back chairs only (no higher than 32” in full upright position).

Jazz on the River is produced by Omega Events, a leader in live entertainment on the West Coast, bringing world-class musicians and their fans together at a variety of music festivals, winery concerts and special events, including the Rodney Strong Vineyards Concert Series (Healdsburg), the 11th Annual Doheny Blues Festival (Dana Point) and the 13th Annual JazzFest West (So. California).

For electronic or print photos of the artists or festival, contact Denise Lamott at (415) 897-5089 or lamoore1@verizon.net.

About this photo: Drummer Deszon X.Clairborne at the 2006 Jazz on the River Festival
Photo Credit: James Knox.