Marcus Anderson’s new CD, “Style Meets Substance”
Marcus Anderson’s latest CD, Style Meets Substance, is available now at iTunes, www.amazon.com, and at his live shows. For more information on Marcus, visit www.marcusanderson.net.
Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Randy Jacobs and Nate Phillips jammin’ at the fundraising concert for High Tech High (Photo by Sherry Fisher)
Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Randy Jacobs, Nate Phillips and Ron Reinhardt (Photo by Sherry Fisher)
You know it’s going to be a fun and entertaining night when Richard Elliot, Rick Braun and some of the top genre musicians are on stage together. The fact that Friday night’s concert at the California Center for the Arts-Escondido was a fundraiser for that community’s High Tech High made it a bit more interesting. Alongside Elliot, Braun and their funky band (Randy Jacobs, Nate Phillips, “Third” Richardson and Ron Reinhardt), a couple of special guests set the crowd into standing-ovation mode. Bass-playing Mikayla Elliot (15) joined her dad and the band for an impressive rendition of “Birdland.” And, when her guitarist brother Eli (14) joined the jam, the audience’s applause and cheers nearly drowned out the music. But, what a clever way to demonstrate the value of this teenage generation’s education just before the live auction was about to take place!
14-year-old Eli and 15-year-old Mikayla Elliot performing with their dad Richard Elliot and Rick Braun at the California Center for the Arts-Escondido (Photo by Sherry Fisher)
Richard Elliot performing with his daughter, Mikayla, at his fundraising concert for High Tech High (Photo by Sherry Fisher)
When auctioneer Pierre H. Charmmason took control of the mic, big money started rolling in. The bidding war was “on” for three high-ticket items: Dave Koz & Friends at Sea seven-day, full-ship charter to Alaska (Sept. 5-12, 2014); a VIP table for four at the Big Bear Lake JazzTrax Summer Music Festival (June 21, 2014), including a two-night stay at the Northwoods Resort; and the “Best Seats in the House,” where the highest bidder and a guest get to experience the second half of the concert on stage while seated in oversized chairs with a bottle of champagne, backstage access with the artists during intermission, admission to the VIP after-party and two tickets to see Richard Elliot perform at Thornton Winery in September. The buyer of the latter, the school’s traffic officer, used this opportunity to propose to his girlfriend on stage. Thankfully, she said yes!
The traffic officer at High Tech High proposing to his girlfriend during the High Tech High fundraising concert featuring Richard Elliot (Photo by Sherry Fisher)
Richard Elliot pours champagne and congratulates the newly engaged couple onstage as they enjoy “The Best Seats in the House” auction item (Photo by Sherry Fisher)
VIP reception (Photo by Sherry Fisher)
Kyle Braun and Eli Elliot hanging out at the VIP after-party (Photo by Sherry Fisher)
Nearly $35,000 was raised from the event, which was sponsored by Global Cash Card and Kathy and Willie Payne of Payne Pest Management. I’m sure that there will be many new computers and other technology arriving at High Tech High very soon.
Richard Elliot and his wife Camella organize these fundraising concerts bi-annually at the California Center for the Arts-Escondido. For more information on Elliot, who is currently on the Dave Koz & Friends “Summer Horns” tour and will be a featured performer on the Dave Koz & Friends at Sea Alaskan cruise in September, visit www.richardelliot.com.
Ray Parker Jr. performing during his star installation ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Photo by David Hopley)
Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire) celebrating Ray Parker Jr.’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Photo by David Hopley)
George Benson signs autograph for a fan during Ray Parker Jr.’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony (Photo by David Hopley)
George Benson, Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire) and Rick Braun were among Ray Parker Jr.’s friends who came out for the installation of Parker’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Bill Withers spoke at the ceremony, which was also attended by Mindi Abair, Randy Jacobs, Tony Maiden, Jessy J and many others.
Randy Jacobs, Rick Braun and Tony Maiden celebrating Ray Parker Jr.’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Photo by David Hopley)
Randy Jacobs and Mindi Abair during Ray Parker Jr.’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony (Photo by David Hopley)
Parker hosted a private party at the Hard Rock Cafe after the ceremony where Benson and other musical guests performed to a packed house. Those “Ghost Buster” royalties must have come in handy when Parker got the bill for this invitation-only celebration that featured an open bar, buffet and entertainment for several hundred guests.
Ray Parker Jr. with his childhood friend, rock drummer Ollie Brown
Ray Parker Jr. reacts to the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Photo by David Hopley)
Ray Parker Jr.’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Photo by David Hopley)
Ray Parker Jr. walks the red carpet at the Hard Rock Cafe to his star celebration (Photo by David Hopley)
Ray Parker Jr.
Ray Parker Jr. will be honored with the 2,518th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, March 6. The ceremony, which is open to the public, will feature Bill Withers and Brian Holland guest speakers. And, Parker plans to have his guitar close by so he can play an acoustic medley of his songs, including his No. 1 hit, “Ghostbusters.”
“We have amazing musicians on the Walk of Fame, and adding Ray Parker Jr. to our famous Walk of Fame is the icing on the cake,” said Leron Gubler, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president/CEO. “His star will be next to fellow musical greats Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie and The Funk Brothers.”
Fans are welcome to attend the star unveiling, scheduled for Thursday, March 6, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., at 7065 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California. This event will also be streamed live exclusively on www.walkoffame.com. For more information, visit www.walkoffame.com/pages/upcoming-ceremonies.
Villas-balcony at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona
With all of this rain in California, it sure makes next weekend’s Arizona Jazz Festival quite enticing! Scheduled for March 7-9 at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, the spring version of this semi-annual event is scheduled to feature Smokey Robinson, Jeffrey Osborne, Patti LaBelle, Peter White, Rick Braun, Euge Groove, Paul Taylor, Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns (Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliot), Gladys Knight, Norman Brown, Jonathan Butler, Alex Bugnon, The Isley Brothers and more!
Arizona Grand Resort & Spa patio
The AAA Four-Diamond, award-winning, Arizona Grand Resort & Spa is located at 8000 S. Arizona Grandy Pkwy., Phoenix, Arizona. For tickets, reservations or more information, visit www.arizonajazzfestival.com or call 602-244-8444.
Water Park at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona
Peter White
(Photo by Lori Stoll)
Dive in, without getting wet, at the Ocean Institute Jazz Festival, Feb. 28-March 2! This event, which features Peter White, David Benoit, Spencer Day & Eric Marienthal, will be held under tents (with heaters) at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, California.
David Benoit
The Friday night concert and Saturday evening gala events are sold out, but there is a limited number of tickets available for Sunday featuring Eric Marienthal. The event, which begins at 3pm, features a Bristol Farms box lunch; beer, wine & cheese tasting; and concert.
2013 Ocean Institute Jazz Festival
The Ocean Institute is located at 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point, California. For tickets or information, visit www.oijazzfestival.com.
Brian Culbertson’s “Another Long Night Out”
Brian Culbertson’s 14th album, Another Long Night Out, was released today, Feb. 25. A boundless creative force, this showman, multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter is responsible for 26 No. 1 hits. There seem to be a few more in this new CD. Available now at www.brianculbertson.me, www.amazon.com and iTunes.
Dave Koz & Friends’ Summer Horns featuring Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliot was nominated for the Best Pop Instrumental GRAMMY this year.
Dave Koz and Mindi Abair at the GRAMMYs with fellow nominees in the same category; Earl Klugh for Hand Picked and Jeff Lorber for Hacienda.
Brian Culbertson at his Napa Valley Jazz Getaway
Single-day tickets are now on sale for Brian Culbertson’s third annual Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, a wine and jazz festival set in Northern California’s Wine Country, June 12-15. Tickets are priced at $99 apiece except for the June 13 show, which cost $129 each and includes entry to an exclusive The GRAMMY® Foundation benefit wine reception and silent auction. A limited number of discount tickets for each concert are available to Napa residents (eligible residents receive $20 off per ticket by using an access code provided to local businesses and via a targeted email sent by the Napa/Yountville Chamber of Commerce.)
The five-day VIP Package sold out in one week when they went on sale last October. Until now, tickets for the 2014 festival have only been available in four-day Gold Packages and two-day Silver Packages.
Brian Culbertson’s Napa Valley Jazz Getaway offers a full schedule of concerts starring A-list contemporary jazz, funk and R&B artists; daily Wine Down at The Westin wine tastings held at the official Getaway host hotel, The Westin Napa Verasa; a Cigar Event offering cigars and a performance by Michael Lington; and “Another Long Night Out” Late-Night Hangs.
After a pair of sold-out opening night dinner concerts happening simultaneously on June 11, Napa Valley Jazz Getaway will stage four days of concerts with the June 12-13 shows taking place at The Lincoln Theater and the June 14-15 shows to be held on the majestic grounds of the Jamieson Ranch Vineyards. The Thursday night lineup showcases the Legends of Jazz featuring Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour and Earl Klugh with special guest Eric Marienthal and more. Friday Night Funk Night headlines The Ohio Players and special guest comedian Keenen Ivory Wayans. The weekend concerts move outdoors with Saturday spotlighting Brian Culbertson & Friends, Morris Day & The Time, Average White Band and Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Eric Benét, Mavis Staples, Eric Darius and Jazz in Pink featuring Gail Jhonson, Althea Rene and Karen Briggs fill the marquee on the final day of the 2014 Getaway.
Four-day Gold Packages ($499) and two-day Silver Packages ($229) remain available through the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway website at www.NapaValleyJazzGetaway.me. Single-day tickets are available at www.TicketFly.com. For more information, visit www.NapaValleyJazzGetaway.me or www.BrianCulbertson.me.
Culbertson’s 14th album, Another Long Night Out, is scheduled for release on Feb. 25. He will be in Napa on Feb. 27 to perform a short set at a private event for invited tastemakers to celebrate the release of the contemporary jazz record featuring an all-star cast and uncork his new custom-crafted wine, Culbertson Pinot Noir, which he personally blended with Jamieson Ranch Vineyards’ winemaker Nori Nakamura.
Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns with Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliot
Tickets are on sale now for the Desert Lexus Jazz Festival featuring Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns with Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliot. Also appearing at the festival on May 3, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden’s new, 2,000-seat, shaded, performance pavilion, are Euge Groove with special guest Elliott Yamin.
For tickets or more information on this event, which is co-produced by Wendy Jayne Productions, scheduled for May 3, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, 78-200 Miles Ave., in Indian Wells, California, visit www.iwtg.net or call 800-999-1585.