Philharmonic Adds Big Events to Bowl’s Summer Schedule

The Los Angeles Philharmonic has added a number of significant events to the Hollywood Bowl’s 78th annual summer festival, including a concert by folk singers Peter, Paul & Mary and a tribute to “South Pacific.” The Philharmonic also has scheduled a series of free community concerts by the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, the Bowl’s new jazz ensemble in residence.

The annual Fourth of July “Fireworks Spectacular,” July 2-4, now features veteran artists Peter, Paul & Mary with John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Also that month, writer Amy Tan will narrate the world concert premiere of her “The Chinese Siamese Cat” on July 18.

On the Friday and Saturday night programs, a 50th anniversary tribute to “South Pacific” on July 9 and 10 will feature opera stars Justino Diaz and Marilyn Horne, and Broadway singers Susan Egan and Davis Gaines. “Out of This World” on Sept. 3 and 4 with conductor George Daugherty and the Bowl Orchestra includes a big-screen projection of the Mars space landing with the singing of soprano Julia Migenes and Gogi Grant. And the traditional Great American Concert on Sept. 10 and 11 with Mauceri and the Bowl Orchestra has become “Swing Night.”

The Wednesday night Lexus Jazz at the Bowl series--which features the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra as resident ensemble--has added several major new artists. Local Latin group Tolu and singer Andy Vargas will be featured in “Latin Jazz Night,” July 21. Highly regarded jazz violinist Regina Carter has been added to the Aug. 4 program, and the a cappella vocal group Take 6 and vocalist Dee Daniels will now participate in the Aug. 18 program.

A guitar program on Aug. 25 showcases Russell Malone and Mark Whitfield in addition to the previously scheduled John Pizzarelli, and vocalist Carmen Bradford joins Joe Williams and the Count Basie All-Stars on Sept. 8. The series’ climax, on Sept. 15, has been expanded to include Grammy-winning singer Shirley Horn, flutist Gregory Jefferson, saxophonist Plas Johnson and trumpeter Jack Sheldon.

“World Festival ‘99,” the Bowl’s first major effort at world music programming, has been expanding to include “Brazil Nights,” a series-opening special event on June 26 and 27 featuring singer Carlinhos Brown, new star Sergio Santos and a large group of dancers, singers and percussionists. On Aug. 15, qawwali singer Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan participates in a program celebrating sacred music from around the world. Czech singer Vera Bila has been added to “Gypsy Passion” on Aug. 22, and Cape Verdean singer Fantcha--a disciple of Cesaria Evora--joins Gilberto Gil and Waldemar Bastos in “Tropical Heat” on Sept. 12.

The outreach community programs for the Clayton-Hamilton orchestra, somewhat less extensive than originally announced, begin March 13 with a performance and master class by the Clayton-Hamilton Quartet at the World Stage in Leimert Park. The quartet also performs May 26 at Plaza De La Raza Cultural Center. The full Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra performs May 8 at the Beverly Center and June 20 at Knox Presbyterian Church.