The year 2005 proved to be a landmark year for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, that featured many powerful and talented artist who performed for an attentive audience during my visit for the 1st weekend of JazzFest, April 22nd April 24th. The 2005 JazzFest was held on the Fairgrounds Race Track from April 22-May 1st. The national advertisement stated "calling JazzFest a musical festival is like calling gumbo soup." There is a lot of truth to this statement when you consider all

Los Angeles-The summer outdoor music festival season concluded on a high note. You and I probably were in attendance at one or more of the various festivals, which were held from Memorial Day Weekend through the weekend of October 2nd and 3rd. Jazz At Drew Legacy Music Series & Cultural Marketplace Presented by Honda-celebrated its 14th year as one of Southern California’s most popular music and charity event. This year, as in the past, a stellar line-up of jazz, R&B legends performed for a c

Long Beach-Here we go again. Another jazz festival is upon us. Not just any jazz festival, this is the annual Long Beach Jazz Festival. This is by far the premier jazz festival of Southern California. This is the most anticipated festival of the year. August 13th-15th was a busy weekend in Los Angeles. Think of all of the various events available to attend, such as the Watts Summer Festival, St. Andrews Place Jazz Festival, St. Elmo Village Festival, and of course the Olympic Games broadcast

Hollywood-The 6th Annual Thurman Green Scholarship Jazz Festival was held on August 8th at the Musicians Union. A small but lively and enthusiastic crowd of lovers of jazz music gathered to hear jazz, funk, local and future legends of jazz share their passion for America’s number one art form: JAZZ. Michael Sessions Sextet kicked off the days festivities promptly at 1:00PM. This talented saxophonist is a master of all reed instruments. Backing this local legend were Steve Smith-trumpet, Ph

The 26th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival presented in co-operation with the L.A. Philharmonic Association ushered in a new era for the Historic Hollywood Bowl. The newly renovated bandshell at the Hollywood Bowl cost a hefty 24 million dollars. Ask any of the 35,000 jazz fans in attendance, they would say that it was worth every penny. An improved sound system was installed as well as a new giant screens, so that people in the nosebleed section could enjoy the entire action taken place on stage.