JAZZ : Gala Roars Back to ‘20s

You don’t have to wait until Halloween this year to pull out those 1920s-style outfits. A “Roaring ‘20s Gala” will be one of the highlights of the third annual So Cal Jazzfest, being held Saturday and Sunday at the Elks Lodge in Santa Ana.

“We’ll decorate the main ballroom like a speak-easy, and people are invited to come in costume,” said Janet Kane, publicist for the Jazzfest. “And we’ll have special entertainment with the ‘Dancing Grandmas,’ gals in their 60s and 70s who were professional dancers in their 20s. And of course, people will be able to dance the Charleston and the Balboa” to the many bands that will be performing. Roaring ‘20s night is set for Saturday.

The Jazzfest, presented by the New Orleans Jazz Club of Southern California, is a special event, Kane said, because it presents only bands from Southern California. Among the scheduled groups are the Nightblooming Jazzmen with Chet Jaeger, the Monrovia Old Style Band with George Probert, Janet Carroll and the Hollywood Jazz Cats, and Swing Savant. In all there are 17 bands, featuring 100 musicians. Some of the bands are made up of what Kane, 64, calls “young kids.” “Meaning they’re under 40,” she said with a laugh.

Swing Savant, for instance, spotlights 33-year-old drummer Matt Johnson and saxman-arranger Tom Kubis (although at 41 Kubis technically escapes the “kid” label). The band plays unique versions of ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s jazz tunes.

“A lot of us in this band have our roots in traditional jazz, and we like to be involved in fests like this one,” said Johnson.

The group will enjoy a special treat at Sunday’s Jazzfest, when veteran clarinetist Abe Most sits in.

“Abe attended several of our performances, told us the band blew his mind and if he could ever help out” to call him, Johnson said. When Evan Christopher, Savant’s regular clarinetist, got an out-of-town engagement for this weekend, Johnson took Most up on his offer.

The Jazzfest promises to be a rousing affair. It starts early, ends late and features continuous music in three indoor rooms and at one outdoor venue. The proceeds go toward the club’s regular traditional jazz sessions, held the first Sunday of each month at the Elks lodge. Admission to those affairs is $5, and Swing Savant will be featured on Nov. 1.

What: Third Annual So Cal Jazzfest.

When: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. both days.

Where: Santa Ana Elks Lodge, 212 Elk Lane, Santa Ana.

Whereabouts: Traveling north on the Santa Ana (5) Freeway, take the exit marked First and Fourth Streets, Santa Ana. At the bottom of the ramp turn left, then take the first left on the access road that runs parallel to I-5. When you cross First Street, the access road becomes Elk Lane. Traveling south on I-5, get off at Main Street in Santa Ana, go south to First Street. Turn left, go about two miles, then right on Elk Lane.

Wherewithal: $20 each day.

Where to call: (714) 664-1408.