Four Trombonists Join Forces for Charity; Art for Rail Transit Seeks Performers

Lovers of the jazz trombone can catch four of the best when Buster Cooper, Thurman Green, George Bohanon and Mike Fahn join forces Saturday as “The Trombone Summit” at Beach Fest ‘90, a three-day event taking place Saturday-Monday at Shoreline Aquatic Park in Long Beach.

The event, which includes a chili cook-off on Sunday, begins at noon Saturday and is a benefit for Beach Charities-Long Beach, which aids such organizations as the Long Beach Boys Club, the Long Beach Children’s Museum and the Seniors’ Program.

“The Trombone Summit” will be definitely ad hoc. “It’s just a jam thing, where we get together, call some tunes and go for it,” said Bohanon, a well-established studio and jazz player who is also musical director for Marla’s Memory Lane supper club. Along with the trombonists, the Saturday program includes Les McCann’s Magic Band and saxophonist Eddie (Saxman) Synigal, former lead tenorman for B.B. King. Simultaneously appearing on another stage will be such blues-based performers as Jimmy and Jeannie Cheatham, Harmonica Fats and the Bernie Pearl Blues Band. KLON-FM’s Bubba Jackson and Bernie Pearl will serve as emcees. Tickets are $15. Information: (213) 436-7727.

Bohanon will be traveling to London to play at an anti-apartheid rally and concert at Wimbledon Stadium on April 16. “According to George Duke, with whom I’ll be playing, Nelson Mandela will be there and Miles Davis and Anita Baker are among the artists. That should be really exciting,” said Bohanon.

Jazz musicians are among those being encouraged to apply for grants to appear on festival programs sponsored by Art for Rail Transit (ART), which will celebrate the opening of the downtown Los Angeles to Long Beach Metro Blue Line in July. The programs will be held at three locations: Watts Towers and Roosevelt Park in Los Angeles and Willow Park in Long Beach. Both solo artists and ensembles may apply for the grants, which range from $350-$750.

Applicants must be Los Angeles County residents and must present a resume when applying. Applicants will be selected on the basis of the quality of the proposed presentation and demonstrated ability to carry a project through to fruition. Preference will be given to those residing in communities served by the Metro Blue Line. Applications and information: (213) 236-9408.

In another competition, a cappella vocal trios, quartets, quintets and sextets--in any genre from jazz to doo wop to new wave--are invited to enter the sixth annual Harmony Sweepstakes a cappella competition, where the grand-prize winner will pick up $1,000. Groups may audition for regional finals, to be held April 28 at At My Place in Santa Monica, via audio or videotape; tapes will be judged on basis of performance, musicality and originality. Winners of the regionals will be flown to the Bay Area to appear in a final competition May 19 at Dominican College in San Rafael. Information: (415) 461-5472.

The King King, a funky yet soulful establishment ensconced at the corner of 6th Street and La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles, celebrates its first anniversary of Afro-Cuban jam sessions, Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. The house band includes Willie Loya, congas; Art Webb, flute; David Romero, timbales, and Armando Morales and Joe Altruda, basses. Guest artists are welcome to sit in. Information: (213) 934-5418.

Saxophonist Sonny Rollins has been signed by Amada, the Japanese metal-processing-machine manufacturer, to appear in a series of commercials for the company on Japanese TV. As reported in Billboard magazine, the one-year deal calls for Rollins to both film spots and appear in events sponsored by Amada, including a concert to be held in Atsugi City, Japan, this summer.