Founded by Al Williams in 1987, the Jazz Festival in Long Beach, Calif. will celebrate
its 20th anniversary this August. Averaging 30,000 attendees over three days, the festival will be held at Rainbow Lagoon Park on Aug. 10, 11 and 12.
Past performers include such jazz luminaries as Nancy Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Cab Calloway, Art Blakey, Etta James and numerous others.
This year’s lineup:
Friday, Aug. 10– Guitars & Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum (pictured), Jeff Golub, and Tim Bowman; Warren Hill; and the Gerald Wilson Orchestra featuring Diane Schuur.
Saturday, Aug. 11– Jazz Attack featuring Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, and Peter White; Leela James; Soul Express featuring Jody Watley, Everette Harp, and Chris Standring; 1+ ONE featuring Ndugu Chancler and Patrice Rushen; Eric Darius; and the Jazz Search winner.
Sunday, Aug. 12– Najee; Poncho Sanchez, Lalah Hathaway; Ronnie Laws; the Sax Pack featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters, and Steve Cole; and the Al Williams Jazz Society featuring Barbara Morrison and special guests.
Williams also announced that the anniversary celebration will include the first annual Long Beach Jazz Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, the Al Williams Jazz Heritage Award, surprise musical guests, and nightly fireworks.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the festival’s official Web site.
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