Bubbles, beach balls, sunshine, big booties good food and jazz music always add up to big fun at the Playboy Jazz Festival. It is the 27th anniversary of an event that has brought jazz music and so much joy to the Hollywood Bowl here in Los Angeles for a great many years. Would you believe that out of two entire days of music, I was only able to see two performances.

 

 

I went on Sunday and caught Ledisi, the soul sistah from the Bay Area who funkified the stage with a voice and band that rocked the house. What a great way to kick off a final day of music. This will get the audience geared up for the mood that they are to encounter for the rest of the afternoon.

 

 

Quite frankly, the audience at the Playboy Jazz Festival is primarily a soul, smooth, blues and funk audience anyway. The promoters at the Playboy Jazz Festival do still book quality jazz acts to perform, but in my experience, those artists always seem to be overshadowed by the music of the more “popular” artist. Popular meaning radio friendly, in rotation, easy listening and music that is propelled by the business of music.

 

 

Oh, but don’t get me wrong, the cats who represent creative instrumental music are still holding down their space and the festival could not be called a jazz festival without them. This year Joshua Redman was there with is Elastic band and so was Chico Hamilton, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kenny Burrell, Joey DeFrancesco,The Thad Jones Orchestra and the Heath Brothers (RIP to Brother Percy) and a few others.

 

 

The other act I saw was Chico Hamilton and Euphoria. My main man Eric Person was in town and performed with these cats and which was definitely a treat for me.

 

 

 I heard that The Saxophone Summit with Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman and Michael Brecker kicked some serious ass! I wish I could have been there. And of course, rounding out a weekend of fun was Mr. George Benson who continues to elate audiences all over the world with his classic hits.

 

 

Perhaps next year I will not be so over booked and will be able to report more.

I will see you then!

 

LeRoy Downs