By my count, The OC has at least four jazz festivals per year, most recent being the Newport Beach Jazz Party in February. There is a new festival on the block – The SoCal Food and Wine Festival – and it happens on March 25 at The Orange County Mining Company. Tickets are available at this link. So, what makes this inaugural different? Do we need another jazz festival?
Yes we do!
Andrea Miller and Ron Kobayashi, headlining act at the SoCal Jazz & Wine Fest
Local Emphasis
According to Andrea Miller, the co-headliner and talent developer for the festival, this event is all about the local talent and the local fan base. The Newport Beach Jazz Party and the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Jazz Festival are pricey, national events. Artists and fans from all over North America attend those. Richard Nelson, the producer of The SoCal Jazz & Wine event, wanted to celebrate the local jazz musicians and the local fan base. Mr. Nelson has been an OC jazz fan for decades and fully believes in the local talent. He is also a vintner and saw the opportunity for a wine tie-in.
The festival allows the local fan base to come together, a challenging feat, given how jazz events are scattered across the sizeable southland at smaller restaurants and stages. Audience participation will be encouraged with dancing and conga lines. According to Andrea, our local jazz fan base is wildly enthusiastic, but is also the nicest, most chill group people you will meet.
To add to the local flavor, the event will be emceed by Terence Love, an icon of the OC jazz scene. Mr. Love was the proprietor of Fullerton-based Steamers Jazz, a venue that launched many jazz careers and hosted over 10,000 concerts.
Vocal Driven
More than half of the program is devoted to jazz vocals and this is a big draw for people who are afraid of jazz. I like to say that jazz vocals are the gateway drug to jazz music. People may decline jazz as an art form but will delight in the Great American Songbook, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Sara Vaughn, etc. Rest assured, Andrea Miller, the co-headliner, is known as The Little Lady With The Big Beautiful Voice.
Furthermore, Darryl Walker, the opening act, has one foot firmly in R&B and soul songbooks. Indeed, one of his touring ensembles is East Bay Soul. Your friends will recognize the songs he covers.
Affordability
Compare this festival to the cost of the other festivals, and you will see that you are getting a lot for $25. Admission gives you complimentary lunch, two glasses of wine from Red Hill Winery, free parking, a killer view of the canyon and six hours of live music. And what music it is, as you can see in the next section.
Program
2:00 – 3:00: Darryl Walker.
According to Andrea Miller, “Darryl’s voice is pure butter AND he plays the sax beautifully. He’s my favorite male singer.” Darryl is local to San Diego but he spends most of his days touring. This is a rare opportunity for us locals to see him.
2:30: Buffet Lunch (sax & vocal).
3:00 – 3:30 Conga Line (or similar).
3:30 – 6:00 Andrea Miller (vocal). Ron Kobayashi (keyboard), Kris Berry (percussion) & Dave Enos (bass).
This quartet just released their CD Fly Like an Eagle, so this festival is, in part, a record release party. The CD is a combination of jazz standards (something Andrea and Ron always do exquisitely) and reinterpreted pop songs. I must tell you, these pop songs take on a whole new groove given the treatment provided by the quartet.
6:00 – 8:00 Jam Session.
Ron Kobayashi has fronted jam sessions in the southland for decades. These sessions are a marvel to behold. Given his tenure on the local jazz scene, all the musicians have played with him at some point. The resulting jam sessions are both spontaneous and seamless.
Conclusion
Local events like these are the salve to our wired world. Sure, we can watch great musicians on YouTube or connect with Facebook people, but as Marvin and Tammi would say, it ain’t nothing like the real thing. Experiences are richer when shared with kindred spirits. So get out there, take in this show and make some new friends!
Tickets are available at this link.
EXCELLENT !!!!!!
Sounds like a wonderful event. It’s a much needed opportunity for OC jazz fans thirsty for some good music!