By: Chris Munzing
The festival is the brainchild of former Long Beach resident Bruce Snyder and musician Steve Adelson. Adelson again took the reins this year and has set up a four-day festival to rival last year's success, calling it his "community service."Adelson, who has been a jazz musician for the past 30 years and recently performed at the world-renowned Montreal Jazz Festival, credits the library for the festival's success. "They've been right beind us the whole time, and they've done whatever we've asked," he said.Adelson hopes that the residents of Long Beach embrace the culture of jazz music and believes that this is the type of event that makes Long Beach such a great community to be a part of. Adelson also noted that many of the artists slated to perform weren't worried about money, they were just excited to be part of the beginning of a festival that will be around for years."The music is just so creative," Adelson said. "It's being able to do something new on the spot, instead of playing Beethoven and having to play it his way."All of the performances are free, and many are held in local restaurants. Highlights include world-renowned jazz musicians Dean Brown and Matt Wilson, as well as performances by the Kerry Kearney Blues Band and Little Toby Walker. Funk and blues are also part of the mix.One band that will be performing is the Mike Barnett Quartet. Barnett, who owns Michael's Music in Freeport, said that the response of people at last year's festival confirmed that jazz music is still alive. "Everyone was very enthusiastic last year," he said. "It's such a diverse art form because it incorporates a lot of improvisation, so it's a very free form of expression." Barnett and his band will open Saturday's activities at 12 p.m., at the library, and will feature a tribute to the late Barry Brenner. Brenner lived in Long Beach for many years and was a huge jazz fan, Barnett noted. "He always said that if anything happened to him, he wanted the library to have his music collection," Barnett said. After his death, more than 500 CD's were donated to the library from Barnett's collection.In addition, many local restaurants will join in the spirit of the event by featuring live jazz music. This promises to be a special end of the summer festival that will continue to grow as an annual tradition.
Schedule of Events
At Long Beach Public Library, 111 W. Park Ave. 432-7201
Thursday, Sept. 97:30 p.m. - Michael Ramo, solo 8-string guitar8:15 p.m. - Ben Lacy, solo guitar8:45 p.m. - Jam with Michael Ramo, Ben Lacy and Steve Adelson9 p.m. - James Wedman GroupFriday, Sept. 107:30 p.m. - Steve Adelson Trio8:15 p.m. - Ben Lacy, funk guitar master9 p.m. - Debbie Knapper BandSaturday, Sept. 11 12 p.m. - Mike Barnett Quartet with tribute to Barry Brenner1:15 p.m. - John Favicchia and Dharma All-Stars featuring Chieli Minucci2:30 p.m. - Kerry Kearney Blues Band3:45 p.m. - Ben Lacy, solo guitar with guests4:45 p.m. - Dean Brown Band featuring Victor BaileySunday, Sept. 1212 p.m. - Diane Hoffman Group1 p.m. - Mark Marshak Group2 p.m. - Steve Adelson Stick-Tet, featuring Ron Affif3 p.m. - Ben Lacy and friends4 p.m. - Afro-Dysia5 p.m. - Matt Wilson Group
At TKOPS 180, 180 W. Park Ave. 431-0044
Thursday, Sept. 910 p.m. - Diane Hoffman GroupFriday, Sept. 1010 p.m. - Mike Barnett TrioSaturday, Sept. 1110 p.m. - Ben Lacy and friends
At John Henry's Pub, 150 E. Park Ave. 897-9551
Friday, Sept. 1010 p.m. - Matt Marshak Trio
At Corbin and Reynolds, 20 W. Park Ave. 431-4600
Friday, Sept. 104-7 p.m. - C & R Trio10:30 p.m. - Steve Adelson Stick - Tet
At Cafe Fratelli Restaurant, 26, E. Park Ave. 889-9151
Saturday, Sept. 116-9 p.m. - Steve Adelson, solo Chapman Stick
At Chesapeake Bay Restaurant, 780 W. Beech St. 432-7262
Friday, Sept. 107-10 p.m. - Steve Scouten, solo guitar
At Long Beach Historical Society, 226 W. Penn St. 432-1192
Saturday, Sept. 117 p.m. - Little Toby Walker*Schedule subject to change
