JAZZ : Dana Point Festival Will Be a Fusion of Styles

It may not be as well known as the Montreux Jazz Festival held in Switzerland each summer, nor as well-attended as the Playboy Festival that sells out the Hollywood Bowl twice each year. But the Dana Point Jazz Festival, to be held this weekend in the courtyard at the Old Dana Point Cafe, has its own attractions.

This year’s festival promises a variety of jazz styles--ranging from Dixieland to fusion--over three days, and in much more intimate circumstances than those better-known gatherings.

Alexander McGeary, owner of the Old Dana Point Cafe, initiated the event in 1990 because of the success that music, especially jazz, had enjoyed in the club. This year, the event grows from two days to three, with an extra session added Sunday afternoon.

McGeary also says the 1992 edition of the festival continues to expand the types of jazz offered. “Last year, we wanted to throw an educational bent into it and expose people to different types of music that they may not be familiar with. No one person who likes jazz likes all kinds. We’re trying to create a cultural base for the appreciation of jazz.”

To that end, a variety of eras and genres will be represented. The festivities begin indoors Friday night with saxophonist Dan St. Marseille’s quintet playing tunes from be-bop masters including Kenny Drew and Gigi Gryce, as well as originals, starting at 7 p.m.

The event continues Saturday with free outdoor concerts from the Toonerville Trolley Dixieland band from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the contemporary group the Killer Tomatoes, with saxophonist Greg Vail (a member of the well-known fusion band Kilauea) from 2 to 6 p.m.

The indoors, paid-admission evening concert Saturday presents still another style, when Bobby Redfield and the Garcia Brothers Latin Jazz Band play from 7 to 11:30 p.m.

Sunday’s schedule begins at 11 a.m. with drummer Rags Martinson’s mainstream group featuring valve trombonist Mike Fahn, followed by the Brazilian jazz trio Rio Azul at 2 p.m.

The festival closes Sunday night with two sets from forward-thinking keyboardist Sandy Owen’s group with saxophonist Paul Carmen at 7 p.m.

Most of the performers have worked at the cafe before. Martinson, according to McGeary, kicked off the venue’s music policy about 11 years ago. Vail, who worked at the cafe just last weekend, had a long-running Monday night duo stint with bassist Baba Elefante a few years back. The St. Marseille Quintet is on the bandstand two Sundays each month.

McGeary--who estimates that the second year’s attendance was twice that of the first year’s--is looking for big things again this time around. “This is the year we’ll probably outgrow the site,” he predicts.

What: The Dana Point Jazz Festival.

When: Friday, April 3, from 7 to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Where: The courtyard at the Old Dana Point Cafe, 2470 Del Prado Ave. at the Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

Whereabouts: Take Coast Highway to Street of the Golden Lantern, go west to Del Prado Avenue.

Wherewithal: Friday night, $8; Saturday night, $5; Sunday night $10. Saturday and Sunday afternoon concerts are free.

Where to Call: (714) 661-6003.