June 2006
Text und Photos: Ricky Richardson

Angela Carole Brown
Photocopyright by Ricky Richardson


Don Grusin
Photocopyright by Ricky Richardson
Summertime Fun

You know that summer is just around the corner when the annual Old Pasadena SummerFest arrives.

This was the 17th Annual Old Pasadena SummerFest that has grown tremendously. The Fest started out in Central Park, moved to Brookside Park and is currently held in the world famous Rose Bowl.

I had the good fortune of attending this magnificent family friendly, family oriented fest on Saturday, May 27th and Monday, May 29th.

The Old Pasadena SummerFest serves as an umbrella of various events:
The Family Fun Fest-featured rides, amusements and interactive games, plus an entertainment stage showcasing cultural performances, a magician, plus the all new “Battle of the Bands!”

The Summer Art Fest-showcased the art work of some of the most talented, interesting and unique artist and craftspeople in the region.

A Taste of Summer-consisted of restaurants, cafes, eateries, and even caterers serving up mouth-watering, scrumptious treats at modest prices.

The Sports Zone-an inter-active arena that challenged ones athletic abilities to play baseball, hockey, or soccer like the pros.

The main draw for the festival is the Playboy Jazz at the Rose Bowl. Playboy Jazz has been a valued participant in Old Pasadena Summerfest for 13 lucky years. As in the past, Playboy at the Rose Bowl presented another exciting all-new line up of nationally recognized artist along with some of Southern California’s best musicians on the jazz scene.

All weekend festival attendees danced all of their cares away to the eclectic sounds of jazz, Latin/Salsa, blues, Afro-Cuban music.

The featured artists were Narbonne High School directed by Tim Suits, Angela Carole Brown, The Jumpin Joz Band, Gary Herbig, B-Side Players and Grant Geissman on Saturday, May 27th.

B-Side Players, Photocopyright by Ricky Richardson

Gary Herbig
Photocopyright by Ricky Richardson
I had another commitment for Sunday, but heard thru the grapevine that those in attendance enjoyed a marvelous day of music provided by Los Angeles County High School for the Arts directed by Jason Goldman. This group won 1st place for the inaugural KKJZ High School Jazz Competition. Additional performers were Ismael Cuevas, Danny Janklow, Jonathan Richards, Jordon Siegal, Max Wrightson and Emile Martinez collectively known as All-Star Spotlight Band. Michael Haggins, Cross-Hart Jazz Experience, “Imaginacion” featuring Bill Cunliffe, Dave Pell Octet, and Ponchez Sanchez closed out Sunday's portion of the Fest.

I returned to the Old Pasadena SummerFest in time to witness a Memorial Day Tradition with a Color Guard Salute by the Sea Cadets, representing all branches of the Armed Forces under the command of Lieutenant Commander Ray Rodriquez.

The City of Pasadena’s Council member Vice Mayor Steve Madison presented Ray Leir (Producer of Pasadena SummerFest) with a Proclamation and Congressman Adam Schiff spoke of the occasion and asked for a moment of silence so that all in attendance could reflect on the real meaning of Memorial Day Holiday.

The musical portion of the day continued with performances by Pasadena City College Studio Jazz Ensemble, AC Timba Jazz Project, David Garfield & The Cats, The Hour Trio-consisting of Austin Peralta, Jake Bloch and Tigran Nersissian, The Dwight Trible Experience, and finished off the day with Michael Lington.

“Playboy Jazz at the Rose Bowl” is part of Playboy’s free community event series held in conjunction with this year’s upcoming 28th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival, to be held June 17th and 18th at the Hollywood Bowl. More information about the Playboy Jazz Festival, call the Festival Hotline (310)450-1173 or visit www.playboy.com/jazzfest
Ricky Richardson
Worldcopyright © 1998-2006 BluesArtStudio, USA-AUSTRIA