For all you jazz and music lovers, the 30th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival will take place this year from August 11th – August 13th at the gorgeous Rainbow Lagoon Park. Once again, the lineup will be dynamic and full of some of your favorite artists. The featured artists will cover Jazz in all its forms, mainstream, contemporary, fusion, mixed with some R&B, funk, soul, gospel, and blues. Here are some of the main headliners: Marcus Miller, Poncho Sanchez, Bob James, Najee, Boney James, Will Downing, and Ramsey Lewis. Impressive!
Kimberly Benoit, President of Rainbow Promotions, LLC, commented, “This annual event is “ALL ABOUT JAZZ” and is offering a lineup of artists guaranteed to deliver JAZZ every-which-way that jazz fans like it: cool, hot, swingin, full of jazzy improvisation, catchy melodies, and funky grooves.”
Oz Benoit, Promoter of The Long Beach Jazz Festival spoke with The Hollywood 360 last year and told us: “Al Williams is my father in law and in 1978, Al created Long Beach’s first venue dedicated solely to jazz when he opened the Jazz Safari by the Queen Mary. Over several years, this became a jazz institution, frequented by musicians and music fans alike. Williams became a jazz entrepreneur of sorts when he opened his second jazz space, Birdland West, in downtown Long Beach just ten years after that. Through his hard work and networking through the two venues, he was hosting the who’s who of the music and jazz world.”
The Rainbow Lagoon Park will boast a welcoming environment for the audience as there will be much more than music, mingling, munching and marveling at merchandise, attendees will also enjoy a gorgeous lagoon and coastal surroundings. Specialty vendors, health & wellness specialists, and guest speakers are available to share the latest information, products, and services to enhance the overall well-being of body, mind, and spirit. This charming ambiance can be found at the Long Beach Jazz Festival every year and it has acted as a trail blazer for what a jazz festival can offer.
Rainbow_Lagoon_Park offers a Special Festival Experience, VIP attendees are provided premiere services: a three-course dinner service with linens, a personal waiter, wine, and access to VIP amenities.
In addition, luxurious, private cabanas have become increasingly popular with jazz patrons. They are furnished, can accommodate up to 6 people, and come with a personal bar-service attendant. Each cabana guest receives a Complimentary Souvenir Program and access to VIP amenities. To purchase a cabana, you must call Rainbow Promotions, LLC office directly at 562-424-0013.
Here is the entire lineup for the three days:
Friday, August 11th
Jazz Funk Soul featuring Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp, Paul Jackson, Jr.
Rachelle Ferrell
Marcus Miller
Saturday, August 12th
Jazz in Pink
Ndugu Chancler featuring Bobby Lyle, Craig T. Cooper, Alphonso Johnson, and Bridgette Bryant
Eric Darius
Nathan East
Will Downing
Boney James
Sunday, August 13th
Al Williams Jazz Society featuring Barbara Morrison and Special Guests
Spyro Gyra
Bob James
Najee
Ramsey Lewis & Urban Knights
Poncho Sanchez
The festival is held annually at Rainbow Lagoon Park at the Long Beach Convention Center on Shoreline Drive. Gates were open at 11:00 AM and the show began at noonand ended at10:30 PM. For more information, artist bios and to purchase tickets visit www.
TWITTER: @LBJAZZ #LBJAZZFEST