Two jazz festivals in Newport Beach take advantage of ocean breezes

While summer in Newport Beach brings to mind crashing waves at the Wedge or sailboats dotting the waters around Balboa Island, for music lovers it’s also a time to catch some of the country’s best-loved jazz performers in two summer jazz series.

From new jazz to smooth jazz, from big band to traditional, the weekly concerts feature artists in a lush and intimate outdoor setting.

As the longest-running jazz series in Southern California, the Newport Beach Summer Jazz Series at the Hyatt Regency has again attracted a stellar lineup of artists on Friday nights in the hotel’s outdoor amphitheater, including returning regular saxophonist David Sanborn, popular song stylists Steve Tyrell and Bobby Caldwell, as well as hot up-and-coming performers like vocalist Spencer Day.

The landscaped Regency grounds, with views of Newport’s Back Bay, provide an ideal setting, according to producer and promoter Jim “Fitz” Fitzgerald. “It’s like an intimate outdoor nightclub under the stars,” he says. “People keep coming back because of the great environment and the chance to mingle with other music fans.”

For L.A.-based saxophonist and singer Mindi Abair, who’s played the series since 1997, it’s like a homecoming. “I play a lot of festivals, but as artists we all talk about this one and look forward to playing there,” she says. “In many ways, it just feels like a different experience.”

As a former backing musician for the likes of Duran Duran, Backstreet Boys and comedian Adam Sandler, the statuesque blonde has been carving a strong niche in the smooth jazz genre since going solo in 2003, performing a mix of standards and original work.

Her show on July 23 will feature renowned blues guitarist Keb Mo. “My band, in itself, is kind of soul and pop meets jazz,” Abair says. “Add Keb in there and it adds a lot of blues. It should be an interesting night.”

“It’s been a great chance to introduce some out-of-the-box musical collaborations,” says promoter Fitzgerald, who also cites a September show combining unique Hawaiian ukulele proponent Jake Shimabukuro with young pop-jazz singer/ songwriter Spencer Day as another highlight. “This year, we really wanted to expand the smooth jazz base while still maintaining the music that makes the series so popular,” he adds.

Also new to the lineup is singer Tyrell, whose raspy vocals have brought a fresh approach to the American songbook since he was first introduced to audiences via Steve Martin’s “Father of the Bride” films. “You could say my take on standards is pretty blues orientated. I’m anything but smooth,” the singer jokes over the phone.

Tyrell will be presenting a repertoire stretching from Cole Porter and Jerome Kern up to Bacharach. “I’ve met a lot of the families of these composers over the years, and people love that I tell stories about the songs,” Tyrell says. “When you have an intimate atmosphere like this, it’s also great to stay after the show and meet up with the fans.”

While the 19-year-old Summer Jazz Series takes center stage for the season, the inaugural Sunset Jazz Summer Series taking place Wednesday nights in the Rose Garden of the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel targets a more eclectic audience of mainstream jazz fans who can listen while seated at tables and sipping cocktails basking in a Pacific sunset.

“Our series is a little more boutique, but we highlight some of country’s best pure jazz artists like East Coast favorites Houston Person and Ken Peplowski,” producer John McClure says. “Our performers present a more traditional take on American standards.”

“I think what is great is that both series are outdoors and take advantage of the great weather and setting of Newport Beach,” McClure says. “They attract different audiences and appeal to a wide range of tastes.”

calendar@latimes.com

Where: Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach.

When: 8 p.m. Fridays thru Oct 1.

Cost: $40 -$95 per show

Info: (949) 729-6400; https://www.summerjazzseries.com

Sunset Jazz at Newport

Where: Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

When: 6 p.m. Wednesdays thru Aug 25.

Cost: $10, $15, and $25

Info: (949) 759-5003; https://www.westcoastjazzparty.com