By KAREN BLOOM
"As a beach community, it's a great opportunity to have a jazz festival," said musician Steve Adelson, a Long Beach resident and one of the festival's planners. "The beach and music just naturally go together." The event kicks off Monday evening, Sept. 8, with a viewing of "Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker," at the main branch of Long Beach Public Library, one of the festival's two main venues. A second movie, "Buena Vista Social Club," in its original version, with subtitles, will be shown the following night, also at the library. By then, according to the organizers, everyone will be in the "jazz spirit" and ready for the main event -- enjoying the music of the 50 performers who will entertain throughout the festival.The week's activities include performances in local restaurants and the library, culminating in free concerts by ten different bands in Kennedy Plaza, outdoors in front of City Hall, Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Also, on Sunday, a Turser jazz guitar will be raffled off to the public.The breadth of musicians means that performances will cover the full spectrum of jazz styles: mainstream, calypso, Latin, Cuban, and vocal. Those participating include:
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Steve Adelson - Essay Music recording artist and the jazz world's premier Chapman Stick player.
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Howard Alden - Concord Jazz recording artist, who has played for Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Clark Terry and Woody Herman.
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Ron Affif - Pablo recording artist and master jazz guitarist.
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Don Braden - Acclaimed saxophonist and musical director for the Cosby show.
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Kerry Kearney - Renowned blues guitarist and Relix recording artist.
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Matt Wilson - Palmetto recording artist and inventive drummer for Dewey Redman Quartet, The Either Orchestra and the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet.It's all free, so in the words of the festival's planners, "come on down and see howmuch fun our city can be."Schedule Of EventsLong Beach LibraryMonday, Sept. 8 & Tuesday, Sept. 9 - Movies, 7:30 p.m.Wednesday, Sept. 10 - Open Jam Session with the Al Cardillo Quartet, featuring Jerry Weldon, 8 p.m. All musicians invited to sit in.Thursday, Sept. 11 - Master pianist Ted Rosenthal plays solo and with a trio, featuring drummer Matt Wilson, 7:30 p.m.Friday, Sept. 12 - An "invited guitar jam" with Drori Mondlack's Straight Circle Trio with Cary DeNigris, Paul Ramsey and guests.Around TownMonday, Sept. 8 - Song stylist Diane Hoffman at Caffe Laguna, 8 p.m.Wednesday, Sept. 10 - The Mike Barnett Trio at TKOPS 180, 10:30 p.m.Thursday, Sept. 11 - Colleen and Kevin Winther Duo at TKOPS 180, 10:30 p.m.Friday, Sept. 12 - Steve Adelson at Cafe Fratelli, 6 p.m.; Steve Scouten plays solo jazz guitar at Chesapeake Bay, 7 p.m.; The Steve Adelson Sticktet at TKOPS 180, 10:30 p.m.Kennedy PlazaSaturday, Sept. 13Noon - The Mike Barnett Quartet1:15 p.m. - John Favicchia's Dharma (Quintet)2:30 p.m. - The Steve Adelson Sticktet featuring Bryan Carrott, Matt Wilson, Nydia Mata, and guest artist guitarist Ron Affif4:15 p.m. - The Jack Wilkins Trio5:30 p.m. - "All Star Jam" with the Jack Wilkins Trio plus Bryan Carrott, Ron Affif and surprise guestsSunday, Sept. 14Noon - The Dave Lobenstein Trio with guest artist Amy Dolan1:30 p.m. - The Diane Hoffman Quartet2:30 p.m. - The Steve Adelson Sticktet with guest artists Don Braden and Howard Alden4:30 p.m. - The Kerry Kearney Blues Band
1st Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival
Monday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Sept. 14. All events are free.
Jazz Festival Venues:
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Long Beach Public Library,
111 W. Park Ave., 432-7201.
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Kennedy Plaza (outdoors;
bring seating), 1 W. Chester St.
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Cafe Fratelli (restaurant),
26 E. Park Ave., 889-9151.
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Caffe Laguna (restaurant),
960 W. Beech St., 432-2717.
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Chesapeake Bay (restaurant),
780 W. Beech St., 432-7262.
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TKOPS 180 (restaurant),
180 W. Park Ave., 431-0044.
For further information, visit www.longbeachjazzfest.com.
