Sunshine, smooth sounds in Pasadena
The annual Playboy Jazz Festival concerts at the Old Pasadena Summer Fest have always been among the summer’s most appealing events. The price -- free -- is just right. The music -- a blend of smooth jazz, fusion, blues and straight ahead -- has something for every taste. And the colorful assemblage of food stands, vendors, arts and crafts and carnival rides provides the perfect setting for an entertaining holiday weekend.
This year, all of those elements were in place. Even better, the entire ambience of the event was ramped up to a higher level by the Old Pasadena Summer Fest’s move to the green and spacious grounds of Brookside Park, near the Rose Bowl. The actual space was half again as large as last year’s location in Central Park and seemed even larger, offering visitors ample room to enjoy the fest’s various areas -- including a substantially enlarged sports zone -- while they listened to the engaging sounds from the Playboy Jazz Festival stage.
Sunday’s show kicked off with a set by the talented youngsters of the Crenshaw High School jazz band -- one of three weekend performances by local high school students (bands from South Pasadena High and North Hollywood High performed Saturday and Monday, respectively). Guitarist Rogelio Mitchell and Friends followed with a collection of Latin jazz rhythms driven by the powerful percussion of Munyungo Jackson and Bobby Matos. Next, the Sounds of New Orleans, true to their name, added a sprinkling of blues seasoning to their foot-tapping musical gumbo.
The MALT quartet brought a distinct shift of stylistic gears as the only group presenting a hard-swinging set of straight-ahead jazz. Saxophonist Tom Peterson’s playing was a highlight, and bassist Armando Compean’s vocals enhanced one of the afternoon’s most musically engaging performances.
The appearance of the big, brassy Henry Mora Orchestra offered similarly attractive musical potential. But the ensemble’s impact was seriously undercut by an audio mix in which Rene Camacho’s bass was (through no fault of his) amplified to a level loud enough to overwhelm the entire orchestra. Which was a shame, given the orchestra’s eclectic, well-played collection of instrumental and vocal material.
Rounding off the program in the headliner position, Paul Jackson Jr.’s quintet, romping through a crowd-pleasing blend of smooth jazz, funk and irresistible groove rhythms, provided the perfect climax for a day overflowing with nearly eight easygoing hours of jazz and sunshine.