Jazz 88 Ocean Beach Jazz Festival

Festival Lineup

• Noon-12:45pm - The Jazz 88 All-Stars

  

  Straight ahead jazz by professional San Diego-based musicians. Anchored on drums by Jazz 88's Percussive Profiles host Barry Farrar, Jr., trumpeter Steve Ebner (Jazz 88 All Stars Musical Director), and tenor saxophonist Bob Campbell, the All Stars bring a full sound to the stage and a musical camaraderie that comes from years of working together. The rhythm section features one of San Diego finest pianists, John Opferkuch, as well as bassist Brian McConnell. Since its inception, the Jazz 88 All Stars have served as station ambassadors for area events, including "The Art of Caring" fundraiser for San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care, ArtWalk San Diego, ElderHelp of San Diego's annual Fundraiser, The Jazz 88 Wine Tasting & Auction, Yachtfest, and other special events.

• 1:05-2:15pm - Brasilia

  

  The all-star sextet Brasilia features nationally renowned musicians who reside in San Diego. All coming from diverse musical backgrounds in jazz, blues, Latin music and pop, this ensemble of longtime friends perform in their own regular ensembles, and also reunite several times a year for Brasilia concerts. Brasilia features flutist Holly Hofmann, guitarist Peter Sprague, pianist Mike Wofford, bassist Kevin Hennessy, drummer Duncan Moore and percussionist Tommy Aros. From Jobim and Veloso to Nascimento and Chick Corea, as well as their own originals, this engaging band plays a varied mix of Brazilian music and Afro-Cuban jazz. Their performances are filled with dynamic improvisers and rhythmic excitement. A high-energy, distinctive and unusual take on the Latin music scene, Brasilia is not to be missed.

• 2:35-3:35pm - The Bad Plus

  

  Forget categories and catch phrases - the sound of The Bad Plus is distinctive, eclectic and formidable.

  The Bad Plus have exploded all notions of what a jazz piano trio should sound like - whether at outdoor rock festivals, jazz clubs or symphony halls.

  The Los Angeles Times ranked the trio "among the leaders of what might be called the Nu Jazz movement." Newsweek declared their 2005 release Suspicious Activity? to be "among the freshest sounding albums of the year." And according to Rolling Stone, "By any standard, jazz or otherwise, this is mighty, moving music ... hot players with hard-rock hearts." In short, a diverse array of music lovers has been seduced by The Bad Plus and their earnest, dizzying musicianship.

  The group dug its roots in the wood-paneled, sump-pumped basements of the Midwest. Drummer David King and bassist Reid Anderson hooked up as teens in their native Minnesota, bouncing between junior high rock bands and long nights listening to John Coltrane and The Police. Soon after, Anderson met Wisconsin-reared pianist Ethan Iverson and formed an alliance - sort of. The threesome played for the first time in 1990, then went their separate ways for the better part of the decade.

  Their paths crossed again for a one-off gig in Minneapolis in 2000. Thrilled by the instant chemistry, the group tracked a self-titled disc for a Spanish indie label, Fresh Sound - a sneak-attack set would soon be hailed by the New York Times as one of 2001's best releases of the year.

  A deal with Columbia Records followed, and amid relentless touring the band crafted material for 2003's These Are the Vistas. Produced by Tchad Blake (Peter Gabriel, Tom Waits) the album contained riveting originals alongside sharp readings of Nirvana, Aphex Twin and Blondie. Said Esquire magazine, "Can one album single handedly make jazz relevant again? Should you care? One listen to The Bad Plus's These Are the Vistas will damn sure make you care."

  Two more albums followed in rapid succession - Give in 2004 and Suspicious Activity? in 2005. Worldwide touring continued, which further cemented the trio's reputation as being passionate and powerful.

  The Bad Plus joined forces with Heads Up International for the May 2007 release of Prog. Co-helmed by veteran UK producer Tony Platt (Bob Marley, AC/DC), the disc showcases six singularly original compositions alongside crackling takes on Tears For Fears, Burt Bacharach, David Bowie and Rush. In the studio as well as onstage, The Bad Plus proudly foregoes convention in favor of curiosity and craftsmanship - recognizing and respecting the rules while ripping them to shreds.

• 3:55-5:05 pm - Kevin Mahogany’s Kansas City Revue

  

  After portraying Big Joe in Robert Altman's movie, Kansas City, this Big Joe Turner tribute is a natural progression for Mahogany. When Mahogany arrived on the international music scene in the mid-90s, it was with a sound that was both traditionally grounded and boldly innovative. The result was a much needed change to the musical landscape. Over the course of Mahogany's extraordinary career, he has made significant breakthroughs in style and sounds that redirected, redefined and even reinvented modern music. The New Yorker said it best when they said, "there is little Mahogany cannot do."

  All the music contained in this show is related directly to Kansas City and its musical heritage either because the songs were written by artists from Kansas City and/or were performed by these artists:

  Big Joe Turner - Pete Johnson - Charlie Parker - Bennie Moten - Count Basie - Jimmy Rushing Jimmy Witherspoon - Joe Williams - Julia Lee - Kevin Mahogany

  Big Joe Turner is the feature point of this show. However, the music of all the other listed artists appears in the show as well. The show uses a 45 song playbook, which ranges from the R&B of "Shake Rattle and Roll," "Flip Flop and Fly" and "Honey Hush"...through the boogie woogie of "Roll 'em Pete" to the blues of "Cherry Red," "Sweet Sixteen" and "Kansas City"...to the jazz of "Moten Swings" and "Parker's Mood." Kevin Mahogany's self-penned composition "KANSAS CITY BORN AND BREED" sums up the theme of this show.

  For your entertainment pleasure, your co-stars include:

  • Godfathers of Groove: (Previously known as The Masters of Groove), they are an All-Star group comprised of Reuben Wilson on the Hammond B3, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie on drums, and Grant Green Jr. on guitar.
  • Kathy Kosins: "Kosins is a delightful surprise...worthy of Dinah Washington" - Jazz Times.
  • Red Holloway: During the 50's, Holloway's sax ruled the riotous Chicago blues and jazz scenes. It's hard to imagine a soul/jazz saxophonist whose sound springs from a deeper well of profound, style-forging musical experience. From Muddy Waters to Lester Young, Holloway has played with them all, in blues bars and jazz joints across America, for six decades.

• 5:30-6:45pm - The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra

  

  The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (CHJO) is an awesome machine that has flourished over the course of twenty one years under inspired and dedicated leadership. "We've worked at creating a family here, rather than just pulling together super players," said John Clayton. It has finally paid off. In the February, 2007 issue of JazzTimes, the Readers voted CHJO the best big band! This followed the December, 2003 issue of Downbeat Magazine Readers Poll where CHJO was named the best big band in America.

  In 2005, CHJO released their CD entitled, "Live at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild" to commemorate their 20th anniversary. This CD topped the radio charts for a full seven weeks! John Clayton was nominated for a Grammy© for arranging for the CD. In 2005, the orchestra had the privilege of recording with Diana Krall and is featured prominently in her Christmas CD which was released that November. CHJO also recorded with John Pizzarelli in his tribute to Frank Sinatra. In 2006, the band recorded with legendary Gladys Knight and also backed Diana Krall's new CD, "From This Moment On", which was recently nominated for a Grammy©. In 2007, CHJO was chosen to record with Queen Latifah on her newly released CD entitled "Travlin Light"

  From 1998 to 2001, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra served as the resident jazz orchestra for the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. CHJO, co-led by bassist John Clayton, his brother, reed player, Jeff Clayton, and drummer Jeff Hamilton, received critical and commercial praise generated by their rousing live concert and festival performances and award winning recordings.

  CHJO's Grammy© nominated recording, Groove Shop, was named by CD Review as one of the best recordings of 1990. In addition to performing and recording on their own, they are in demand by people, like Quincy Jones, Diana Krall, Dee Dee Bridgewater, John Pizzarelli, Ernestine Anderson, and Dr. John. In 2004, CHJO was chosen to honor Tommy Lipuma at the Tri C Jazz Festival and performed with George Benson, Al Jarreau, Diana Krall, the Brecker Brothers, Little Jimmy Scott and others. At the Kennedy Center later on that same tour, CHJO performed with Liza Minelli, Dianne Reeves, Nancy Wilson, and Regina Carter.

  From 1998 through 2001, John Clayton served as the Artistic Director of Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, where he conducted the orchestra and composed most of the music for the ensemble. John was awarded a platinum record for his stirring arrangement of the "Star Spangled Banner" performed by Whitney Houston during the 1990 Super Bowl. Leonard Feather proclaimed John Clayton to be "one of six artists most capable of assuming Miles Davis' role in challenging the boundaries of jazz and inspiring change." He has received a total of six Grammy© nominations.

  John's brother, co-leader Jeff Clayton has also imprinted the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with his considerable musical abilities. He plays all of the reed instruments including flutes, the oboe and English horn. He recorded important albums with, among others, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Kenny Rodgers, Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Earth, Wind & Fire, and a solo on Madonna's recording "Back in Business". As a jazz musician, he has worked with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Lena Horne, McCoy Tyner, and Dee Dee Bridgewater.

  Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton have known each other since they were students at Indiana University. He spent nine years in Ray Brown's trio (with pianist Gene Harris), developing a telepathic musical interaction with Brown and a deep respect for his consummate professionalism. In addition to leading his own band, Jeff has performed with Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Monty Alexander, and the WDR Big Band.

  The orchestra comprises many top rated musicians, some of whom have been with CHJO for the entire 22 year stint, including trombonists George Bohanon and Ira Nepus, and trumpeter Clay Jenkins. Most notable among the musicians, is 88 year old "Snooky" Young who continues to tour and record with the orchestra.

  • John Clayton (conductor/ leader), Jeff Hamilton (drummer/ leader), Jeff Clayton (lead alto/ leader)
  • Trumpets: Bijon Watson, Snooky Young, Clay Jenkins, Sal Cracchiolo, Gilbert Castellanos
  • Trombones: Ira Nepus, George Bohanon, Ryan Porter, Maurice Spears
  • Saxes: Keith Fiddmont, Rickey Woodard, Charles Owens, Lee Callet
  • Rhythm: Tamir Hendelman (piano), Christoph Luty (bass), Graham Dechter (guitar)
  • Anthony Stein: Equipment