JAZZ : Maxwell’s Serves Up a Festival of Sound

Maxwell’s by the Sea will celebrate the opening of the new Huntington Beach Pier with a 10-day Jazz Festival.

“It’s been something I’ve been wanting to do for quite a while,” says Jim De Julio, who leads the club’s house rhythm section and serves double duty as music producer.

“We decided to commemorate the opening with a collection of music that I’m sure is going to appeal to a wide audience.”

His backup group for the Festival will include son Jimmy D on drums, Terry Trotter on piano and the multitalented Grant Geissman on guitar.

The Jazz Festival kicks off Friday and Saturday nights (though the pier doesn’t officially open until Saturday) with the whimsical trumpeter/vocalist Jack Sheldon--a performer who can crack a joke as fast as he can rip off a be-bop lick.

“Jack’s always a ball,” says De Julio, “and he is a burning jazz player. Then, on Sunday, we’ve got Ernie Andrews, a great ballad and blues singer. I’m really looking forward to working with him.” Bassist De Julio, with more than 30 years on the entertainment scene, has appeared with a long list of performers that includes Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone and Nancy Wilson. His presence at Maxwell’s since January has begun to attract such well-known artists as Steve Allen, Pete Christlieb and Lanny Morgan.

De Julio’s selections for the Festival include veteran pianist/singer Betty Bryant on Monday night, new faces Karen Gallinger and Indeya on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, and Dee McNeil on Thursday.

“Betty will be playing piano for herself,” says De Julio, “and she does it real well, especially when she plays the blues.

“I first heard Karen when she was working up in L.A. at Lunaria’s, and she really blew me away with her scat singing.”

“Indeya,” continues De Julio, “should be good for the younger people in our audience. She’s worked with Patti LaBelle and Anita Baker, and she has a strong soul quality in her singing.

“Dee Dee is a solid jazz vocalist. And she’s sung with Freddie Hubbard, so you know she’s got improvisational chops.”

Maxwell’s Jazz Festival will close out next Friday through Sunday with three nights of saxophonist Red Holloway, one of California’s most under-appreciated musical treasures. A hard-driving blues player and superb balladeer--with a rich, resonant harmonic sense that recalls tenor sax master Coleman Hawkins--Holloway is as comfortable with mainstream swing as he is with contemporary jazz. His weekend performance provides a fitting climax to the festival.

What: Jazz Festival, to celebrate the opening of the Huntington Beach pier.

When: Friday, July 17, through July 26. Shows at 8 and 10 p.m. each night.

Where: Maxwell’s By the Sea, 317 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach.

Whereabouts: From San Diego (405) Freeway, take Beach Boulevard south to Pacific Coast Highway, turn right.

Wherewithal: Admission is $4, plus there is a $7 minimum (food or beverage) per person.

Where to Call: (714) 536-2555.