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Vincent Ingala

Chris Standring, Michael Lington & Jessy J added to KSBR Birthday Bash this Sunday, May 24! Plus, more super-secret performers who cannot be announced until they step on the stage! And, of course, Smooth Jazz News will have a booth there, passing out magazines, selling subscriptions and concert clothing.

Where can you see more than 30 top smooth jazz artists performing live this month? AND, enjoy food and beverage tastings? At the KSBR Birthday Bash & Taste of the Bash in Mission Viejo, California, on Sunday, May 24!

Gregg Karukas (photo by Sherry Barnett)

Many of the top genre stars donating their performance time to this annual fund-raising event for KSBR 88.5, Saddleback College’s radio station, cannot be announced until the day of the show. However, a few names have started to leak out. So far, confirmed artists include Gregg Karukas, Vincent Ingala, Greg Adams, Chieli Minucci, Melissa Manchester, Paul Brown, Brian Bromberg, Slim Man and East Bay Soul!

Pasta food vendor serving up samples at KSBR’s 2012 Taste of the Bash (Photo by David Hopley)

When the doors open at 3:30pm (3pm for VIPs), the Village Green of Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo, California, will be transformed into a spectacular, non-smoking, food-and-beverage-tasting extravaganza. More than 25, favorite, local restaurants will hand out free samples of their best dishes. Participating restaurants include Slaters 50/50, Rubio’s, Einstein Brothers, The Butcher Block, California Pizza Kitchen, The Broken Yoke Cafe, Mama’s Mediterranean, Sundried Tomato Cafe, Whole Foods Market and more!

Food vendor at the 2012 KSBR Taste of the Bash (Photo by David Hopley)

Patrons are also welcome to bring their own food, small coolers, picnic baskets, (sealed) soft drinks and low-back beach chairs.

Sampling of New Orleans-style cuisine at KSBR’s Taste of the Bash in 2012 (Photo by David Hopley)

Festivalgoers should be well nourished and hydrated enough to dance into the night when the music starts at 5pm, and goes nonstop until nearly 10pm.

Got your tickets yet? There’s still time to buy them before it sells out.

General Admission (lawn seating) is $55 through May 23, $60 on May 24.

Gold VIP (assigned table seating in the Gold Circle) tickets are $125 each, and include complimentary dessert and soft drinks and upgraded restrooms.

Premium Gold VIP Table Seating is priced at $165.00 each, and includes complimentary dessert and soft drinks, upgraded restrooms, plus a backstage pre-Bash dinner.

Reserved Platinum VIP Seating tickets are available at $190 person, and include reserved seats directly in front of the stage, preferred parking immediately adjacent to entrance and backstage pre-Bash dinner.

All ticket options include the Taste of the Bash and the concert.

The KSBR Birthday Bash and Taste of the Bash is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 3:30pm (3pm for VIP guests), at the Village Green of Oso Viejo Park, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, California. For tickets or more information, visit www.ksbr.net or call 949-582-4501.

Catalina Casino Ballroom is the SJN cover background

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Tiffany chandeliers light up the Catalina Casino Ballroom during the JazzTrax Festival (photo by Pat Benter)

The Catalina Island JazzTrax Festivals provides the perfect mix of elegance, the serenity of nature’s awesome beauty and the magic of music in a seaside island cove.

Each of the two festival weekends kick off with a Thursday night “Unplugged Under the Stars” concert on the sand at Descanso Beach. The main festival is held inside this historic Catalina Casino Ballroom, Friday-Sunday.

Built in 1929, the circular, 12-story high Casino perched at the edge of Avalon Bay is Catalina Island’s most recognizable landmark. However, the Casino is not a gambling facility. The name was derived from the Italian word meaning “a gathering place.” The building houses a movie theatre, museum and the elegant ballroom, which played host to dozens of big bands in the 1930s and ’40s.

Artistic lighting in the Casino Ballroom during the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival (photos by Pat Benter)

The recently restored ballroom retains its original exquisite style: a lavish medley of rose-hued walls, art deco decor, an arching 50-foot ceiling with five Tiffany chandeliers, an elevated stage and a vintage, full-service bar. The outdoor balcony encircles the ballroom and overlooks Avalon Bay and Descanso Beach.

Crowd enjoying the afternoon concert at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival (photo by Pat Benter)

The final weekend of the 28th Annual Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival is happening Thursday-Sunday. Here is the lineup:

Thursday, Oct. 16: Peter White (Unplugged Under the Stars at Descanso Beach), 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 17: The Jennifer Keith Quintet, 7 p.m.; Generation Next featuring Nicholas Cole, Lin Rountree and Lebron, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 18: Vincent Ingala, noon; Dirty Dozen Brass Band, 2 p.m.; Josh Vietti, 7 p.m.; David Sanborn, 9 p.m. After-party at Descanso Beach featuring DJ Jonathan Phillips, 10:45 p.m. (free admission)

Sunday, Oct. 19: DOTSERO, noon; Warren Hill, 2 p.m.; Greg Manning, 7 p.m.; Dave Koz, 9 p.m.

During intermission, festivalgoers often perch themselves on the balcony and admire boaters basking in the bay, scuba divers suiting up for spectacular underwater experiences, snorkelers flapping their fins through the waters’ surface and tourists taking it all in from the ground.

Fans enjoying intermission on the balcony during the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival (photo by Pat Benter)

In addition to the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, the Casino Ballroom is available for private functions, weddings and special events.

For more information about the 28th Annual Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, check out the current issue of Smooth Jazz News, or visit www.jazztrax.com.

Casino Ballroom during evening show at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival (photo by Pat Benter)

The colors of lighting changes throughout the shows. Here is another view of the beautiful Tiffany chandeliers. (photo by Pat Benter)

Peter White celebrates 60th birthday at British pub!

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Peter White at his 60th Birthday Party at the Robin Hood Pub in Sherman Oaks, California (photo by David Hopley)

Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Warren Hill, Chris Standring, Michael Paulo, Vincent Ingala and a bunch of musicians and other friends celebrated Peter White’s 60th birthday with a Sunday brunch on Sept. 21.

Peter White’s 60th birthday party at the Robin Hood British Pub in Sherman Oaks, California (Photo by David Hopley)

Peter chose one of his favorite haunts, the Robin Hood British Pub & Restaurant in Sherman Oaks, California, for the venue. He also selected the menu, a traditional English breakfast buffet with bangers (over-sized sausages), home-fried potatoes, bacon, scrambled eggs, fish and chips, fried tomatoes, beans and peas. But, the party planning and decorating were handled by a group of his friends.

Mindi Abair (center) with her boyfriend Eric Guerra (left) serving up an English breakfast the buffett while Andre Berry (right) looks on (Photo by David Hopley)

Charlotte White, Peter and Robin’s daughter (photo by David Hopley)

It was an intimate affair that included White’s wife Robin Pao and their daughter Charlotte. Rick Braun, who will be joining Peter and Mindi on A Peter White Christmas tour, couldn’t make it because he was performing back East. But, his wife Christiane, and their children Emma and Kyle represented Rick at this festive occasion.

Christiane Braun, Luis Del Arroz, Peter White & Emma Braun (photo by David Hopley)

“Usually, we all see each other at shows or music industry events, but last Sunday I loved that we all got together where none of us were working so we could all just relax and catch up,” Peter said.

I don’t know if there was much relaxing, but there certainly was a lot of catching up and goofing around. A photo booth quickly filled up with quests in quirky poses, wearing funny hats, viking helmets, tiaras, satin crowns, over-sized glasses and holding up signs with sayings such as “princess,” “hot” and “someone alert the paparazzi.”

John Mahon (left), Peter White (center), John Menzano (right) & friends at photo booth (photo by David Hopley)

Peter White with Dave Koz, John Menzano, John Mahon, Charlotte White, Kyle Braun & friends in photo booth (photo by David Hopley)

I’ll be writing more about this lively event in the October-November issue of Smooth Jazz News, which features the birthday boy on the cover! Meanwhile, here are some photos from this wonderful celebration (all taken by David Hopley):

Peter White (center) with his friends from Seattle, Chrissy & Eric Yamada (photo by David Hopley)

Michael & Teri Paulo with friends at the photo booth (photo by David Hopley)

Olivia Rox (Warren Hill’s daughter), Charlotte White & Emma Braun (photo by David Hopley)

Olivia Rox with her parents, Warren & Tamara Hill at the photo booth (photo by David Hopley)

Eric Guerra, Peter White & Mindi Abair (photo by David Hopley)

Bud Harner (Chapman & Co. Management) signing Peter White’s birthday card (photo by David Hopley)

Peter White getting ready to blow out candles on his guitar-shaped birthday cake (photo by David Hopley)

Peter White & Jacqui Brown (Paul Brown’s wife) posing for photos while Peter’s wife Robin Pao (left) enjoys the fun (photo by David Hopley)

Brian Simpson, Dave Koz & “Third” Richardson (photo by David Hopley)

Warren Hill & Michael Paulo (photo by David Hopley)

“Third” Richardson, Vincent Ingala & Pat Prescott at Peter White’s 60th birthday party (photo by David Hopley)

John Mahon (who played drums with Peter live and on his first three CDs, and who now has been percussionist & backing vocals for Elton John for the past 18 years) and Chris Standring (photo by David Hopley)