Appreciation Festival at Embassy, Barnsdall; L.A. Classic This Weekend at Airport Venues

To further its commitment to “celebrate jazz in Los Angeles and make people more aware of this city’s contribution to this art form,” the International Assn. of Jazz Appreciation is presenting its second annual Los Angeles International Jazz Festival, Saturday and Sunday. The final of three concerts will be held Sunday, 7 p.m., at the Embassy Theater, (851 S. Grand Ave., downtown), and will honor four “prophets” of the Los Angeles jazz community: reedman Buddy Collette, singer Bill Henderson, pianist Cedar Walton and saxophonist Charles McPherson.

When it was pointed out that McPherson, who appeared on the soundtrack of the Clint Eastwood film, “Bird,” lives in La Jolla, association president William Coffey quipped, “We consider him close enough. Besides, he’s working with our ‘Jazz Goes to School’ program.”

In explaining “Jazz Goes to School,” Coffey said: “In mid-January, we’ll offer a seven-week history and culture of jazz, as related to the history and culture of the United States, in 12 elementary and junior high schools,” he said. “This will be our third year. It’s been a very successful program and the reception we get from students and faculty alike has been fantastic.”

The festival will also include two free concerts at Barnsdall Park (Hollywood Boulevard and Vermont Avenue), Hollywood, featuring bassist Larry Gales & The East/West Connection, trombonists Buster Cooper and Thurman Green’s Quintet and singer Sonny Craver (Saturday, noon); and Women in Jazz with Rose Gales and Velvet Jazz, Clora Bryant and Barbara Morrison (Sunday, noon). “Part of our purpose is to bring jazz to the people of the city and these free concerts are designed for those who can’t afford to buy tickets to our final show,” said Coffey.

“Our ultimate goal is to eventually do free concerts throughout the city.” Information: (213) 469-5589.

Making his first appearance in the U.S. in 20 years, English clarinetist Acker Bilk is one of the highlighted artists at the sixth annual Los Angeles Classic Jazz Festival, being held Friday through Monday in several venues at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel, the Los Angeles Airport Hilton Hotel and the Los Angeles Viscount Hotel.

Bilk, whose “Stranger on the Shore” topped the Billboard magazine pop charts for many weeks in 1962, “isn’t the only out-of-towner on the festival’s schedule,” said festival director Chuck Conklin. “We’ve also got Canadian saxophonist Jim Galloway, New Orleans-based singer Banu Gibson and Chicagoan Chuck Hedges on hand.” Other aces making up the bill include Bob Crosby and the Bob Cats, the Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band with trumpeter Yank Lawson, bassist Bob Haggart and trombonist George Masso, tenor saxophonist Sam Butera and clarinetist Abe Most.

The festival is dedicated to tenor saxophonist Eddie Miller, a festival regular in past years who recently contracted Alzheimer’s disease and will be unable to attend. “We wanted to let Eddie know that we care about him,” said Conklin.

Information: (213) 641-5700.