j-notes.com » Jazz on the River

Rest In Peace, Miss Etta James

James — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:36:32 +0000

I took this photo of Etta James on very warm Sunday afternoon in September at the Russian River Jazz Festival in 2006. She was serving up her music hot and pulled no punches. This is how I will remember her.

Two of my favorite Etta James releases were from the mid 90′s. She did an excellent album of jazz standards, Time After Time, and a tribute album to Billie Holiday, Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday. Both albums are fine examples of how Etta could sing anything exceedingly well.

Rest in peace, Miss Etta James.

Photo Credit: James Knox

Summer is not over yet…

James — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 19:57:34 +0000

Earlier this evening, I saw Latin Jazz singer Isaac Delgado with Freddy Cole at Yoshi’s Oakland. They were excellent. Delgado’s latest release, L-O-V-E, celebrates the music of Nat King Cole and features Freddy Cole on several songs. The great duo will be performing through Sunday. Yoshi’s Oakland and San Francisco have lots of great shows coming up including Geri Allen, McCoy Tyner, Charles Lloyd and George Wein and The Newport Jazz All-Stars.

Take me to the water! The 34th Annual Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival is this weekend. Saturday’s Jazz lineup includes Spencer Day, David Sanborn, Joey DeFrancesco, Fourplay, Jeffrey Osborne, D’Giin, and Big Sam’s Funky Nation. Sunday’s Blues lineup includes Shane Dwight, Charlie Musselwhite, Jimmie Vaughn, The Doobie Brothers, Blues Defenders, and Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88′s. Be sure to bring your hat and sunscreen! Check out the performance schedule!

Next weekend is the 53rd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival. Three days of jazz and other great music at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, California. There are still great seats and single day passes available. Instead of posting every festival press release, here are the links to the most recent press releases. Check back here for any late breaking news or go the Monterey Jazz Festival website. You can also follow MJF on Facebook and Twitter.

Latest MJF Press Releases

If you are heading north next weekend, there is the Vacaville Jazz Festival on Friday (9/17) thru Sunday (9/19).

Legendary jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis will be performing for the Napa Valley Opera House Gala on Sunday, 9/19. Also, check out the great music from Sonoma Valley Jazz Society and Napa Valley Jazz Society.

Festival season is in full swing!

James — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:16:36 +0000

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 Arts 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

An afternoon of guitars, saxes, and keyboards

James — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:52:13 +0000

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.

Jazz On The River Returns to Guerneville

James — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:38:37 +0000

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.

2007 Russian River Jazz Festival/Jazz on the River

James — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 07:09:56 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 9, 2007

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

THE 31st ANNUAL RUSSIAN RIVER JAZZ FESTIVAL TO FEATURE MUSIC LEGEND CHAKA KHAN, PLUS BONEY JAMES, JOE SAMPLE TRIO, PONCHO SANCHEZ, NORMAN BROWN & OTHERS
FESTIVAL ON SEPTEMBER 8 & 9 BRINGS WORLD-CLASS JAZZ, WINE & FOOD TO THE PICTURESQUE BANKS OF THE RUSSIAN RIVER AT JOHNSON’S BEACH IN GUERNEVILLE

WHAT:
The 2007 Russian River Jazz Festival celebrates 31 years of bringing world-class music and festival revelry to the Bay Area on Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9, at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville.
Established in 1976, the Russian River Jazz Festival has evolved into one of the nation’s top jazz events, and the quintessential end-of-Summer celebration for Northern Californians. Enjoy great music and the finest local wines at a picturesque outdoor setting on the banks of the Russian River.

WHEN:
Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9, 2007.
Gates opens 10:00 a.m. Music begins 11:00 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m.

WHERE:
Johnson’s Beach along the Russian River, Guerneville (1st & Church Sts.)

ARTISTS:

Saturday, September 8:
Chaka Khan – eight-time Grammy Award© winner
Boney James – top selling saxophonist
Poncho Sanchez – the King of the Congas
Ledisi – urban jazz vocalist with new Verve release coming Aug. 28
Forté (jazz combo) and Michaele on the Wine Garden Stage

Sunday, September 9:
Norman Brown’s Summer Storm featuring vocalist Peabo Bryson, Marion Meadows (sax) and Jeff Lorber (keys)
Joe Sample Trio – legendary contemporary pianist
Christian Scott – trumpeter named “next big thing”, new CD on Concord
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers – swinging jazz band
Michaele on the Wine Garden Stage

TICKETS: Ticket prices are $45 per day or $80 for the 2-day Pass (through Sept. 7)
Gold Tier tickets are available for $90 per day or $170 for both days. Gold Tier guests are assigned a reserved sand chair in front of the main stage, use of a private beach chair and 3 wine tasting coupons.
• Tickets purchased at the gate are $50 per day (general admission) or $100 per day (Gold Tier)
• Children 10 and under are free!
Tickets can be purchased by phone by calling the Jazz on the River Box Office at (707) 869-1595; or online at www.RussianRiverFestivals.com.
OUTLETS Tickets are also available (cash only) at three local tickets outlets, including the Russian River Chamber of Commerce (16209 Main Street in Guerneville), the Last Record Store in Santa Rosa (1899a Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa) and at Back Door Disc in Cotati (7665 Old Redwood Hwy.)

INFO
Box Office: (707) 869-1595
E-mail tickets@omegaevents.com
Website http://www.RussianRiverFestivals.com

For full artist bios and electronic photos, contact Denise Lamott at lamoore1@verizon.net.
No glass, cans, alcohol, pets or high-back beach chairs will be permitted. Low-back chairs only (no higher than 32” in full upright position).

Russian River Blues and Jazz Festivals Up for Sale

James — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 09:30:46 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Meredith Melville (510) 655-5200
Deleonart@aol.com
Denise Lamott (415) 897-5089
Lamoore1@verizon.net

RUSSIAN RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL, RUSSIAN RIVER JAZZ FESTIVAL UP FOR SALE

Guerneville, CA – It is with much regret that after bringing years of world-class music to Sonoma County and the Russian River, Lupe De Leon, long-time producer of the Russian River Blues Festival and Russian River Jazz Festival (Jazz on the River) is putting both events up for sale. After suffering a heart attack in 2005, De Leon retired as executive producer of the festivals. Due to his continued illness, De Leon has chosen to sell the music festivals and stay focused on his recovery.

“I hope that the right person will step up to the plate and take over the festival so that this 30-year tradition of great music along the banks of the beautiful Russian River will continue for all to enjoy,” said De Leon.

Since the first festival in 1976, the Russian River Jazz Festival has evolved into one of the country’s top jazz events, and the quintessential Northern California celebration bringing great music and the finest local wines together with a picturesque outdoor setting along the banks of the Russian River. The Russian River Blues Festival recently celebrated its 11th anniversary. Some of the greatest names in blues and jazz have graced the stages of the two festivals, including Etta James, John Lee Hooker, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, Bobby Hutcherson, Stanley Clarke, Chris Botti, Taj Mahal, Al Green, Keb ‘Mo, Bonnie Raitt among others.

Inquiries about the sale of the festival can be made through the Russian River Blues and Jazz Festivals’ office at deleonart@aol.com.
# # # #

Photo Credit: James Knox

Flickr-ing brightly

James — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 07:05:33 +0000

The photo above was take at Jazz at Pearl’s when trumpeter Jeremy Pelt performed there last month. I have using flickr since earlier this year and here are a few of my photo sets.

Andy Bey in Concert – Yoshi’s & The Jazz Bakery – April 2005
Healdsburg Jazz Festival – July 2005
Berkeley Jazz Festival – June 2005
North Beach Jazz Festival/Jazz on Grant – July 2005
Realistic Orchestra @ Jazz at Pearl – August 2005
San Jose Jazz Festival – August 2005
Lizz Wright @ The Independent – August 2005
Art and Soul Oakland Festival – September 2005
Roberta Flack @ The Palace of Fine Arts – September 2005
Jeremy Pelt @ Jazz at Pearl’s – September 2005
Jazz on the River – September 2005
48th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival – September 2005