By Melanie Maxwell

Splashes of art, food and specialty beverages will accompany great music at Desert Lexus Jazz on May 2. Tower of Power is scheduled to headline this 16th annual event in the shaded performance pavilion at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Lisa Fischer, and her Caribbean-inspired band Grand Baton, is also on the lineup.

Jazz fans most likely know the GRAMMY-winning vocalist from her awe-inspiring performances with Chris Botti. However, her impressive resume also includes touring and recording with the Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, George Benson and more. She is also a recipient of the 2015 Best Music Film GRAMMY for “20 Feet from Stardom.”

Visual arts enthusiasts will be thrilled to hear that sculptors Karen and Tony Barone will return to the 2,000-seat venue. The acclaimed artists’ iconic sculptures of the animal kingdom can be seen at various public sites throughout the Coachella Valley. In their ongoing pursuit of paying homage to these magnificent creatures, they created two elegant 6-foot-8-inch Afghans: “Master Krisel” in radiant pink, and “Master Cody,” in a dazzling turquoise. Naming these pieces after Mid-Century Modern architects, the Barones tip their hat to the powerful influence these modernist masters have had on the lifestyle of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley for more than half a century.

“We are finalizing details with a couple of additional artists (painters who specialize in music) to display their works,” said Jim “Fitz” Fitzgerald, co-founder of Wendy Jayne Productions, Inc., co-presenter of this event with the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. “Desert Lexus will have cars on display. And, other surprises will be announced shortly,” added Fitz, who is also morning personality/program director for Palm Springs-based radio station 102.3 KJJZ.

Festival patrons can also feast on culinary creations. “We will have three concession outlets open: Sear, Satay and Kabob, along with food trucks, craft beer and wine,” Fitz said.

Gates open at 5 p.m. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton open the concert at 7 p.m., followed by the legendary Tower of Power at 8:30 p.m. An added bonus…free, onsite parking available to festivalgoers!

The 16th Annual Desert Lexus Jazz festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Performance Pavilion, 78-200 Miles Ave., Indian Wells, California. For tickets and information, visit www.iwtg.net/Desert-Lexus-Jazz or call 800-999-1585.