Long Beach welcomes its annual jazz festival

Hear some swinging jazz when the Long Beach Jazz Festival returns to the City by the Sea, Sept. 15-18. “We’re very excited in anticipation of our 9th annual Long Beach Jazz Festival,” said founder and organizer Steve Adelson. “We are bringing in many outstanding musicians; many who are appearing here for the first time.” The world renowned creative roster of players includes drummer Omar Hakim, bassist Bakithi Kumalo, Charlie Hunter, pianist George Cables, pianist Connie Crothers, Chieli Minucci and Special EFX, pianist/producer Onaje Allan Gumbs, and Oz Noy, with returning favorite, local guitar legend Dean Brown, and many others. Pianist/vocalist Gail Storm opens the festival on Thursday evening, with her performance of classic blues/jazz, followed by the Bakithi Kumalo Group, at the Long Beach Public Library. Events will be held Thursday and Friday nights, Sept. 15-16 and Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17-18, noon-midnight, at various venues in Long Beach.

All performances are free. For more information, visit www.longbeachjazzfest.com.