Bakersfield Jazz Festival / 5 - 7 - 15

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THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015 | Editor: Jennifer Self • Phone: 395-7434 • Email: jself@bakersfield.com

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Eye Stre reet

AT A GLANCE Nut Festival back for third year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at Empty Space . . . . . . . . 23 Symphony staging season finale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Conductor Kalia gets his opportunity . . . . . . . . . . 24

Art show explores ‘Historical Oildale’ . . . . . . . . . . 25 The Lowdown with Cesareo Garasa . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Liberty opera stages ‘The Merry Widow’ . . . . . . . 29 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-33

Jazz with a note of thanks Annual Bakersfield festival doubles as tribute to key figure BY MATT MUNOZ AND CESAREO GARASA For The Californian

T

here is a flip side to any and every event, positive or negative, according to a list of personal beliefs left behind by Adele Davis, who for 29 years was the behind-the-scenes, clipboard-wielding muscle of the Bakersfield Jazz Festival. Still coming to grips with Davis’ untimely death in March, organizers of this year’s festival will be trying to locate that flip side this weekend as they attempt to imitate her machinelike efficiency: welcoming fans, shepherding musicians, organizing volunteers and everything else that is required to put this juggernaut together. “On our festival poster this year, it has the line: Dedicated to Adele Davis, our Festival Heart,” said Doug Davis, Adele’s husband and founder of the festival. “We all feel her loss. Many call to volunteer to work who have not heard of her passing. Of course, we both break in half when I give them the terrible news. She easily gave 300 hours to this festival each year.” But this will be no subdued affair, said booking agent Paul Perez, and Davis wouldn’t have wanted it to be. On the main stage Friday — party night — will be the highenergy soul of Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Latin mambo masters Boogaloo Assassins, and the smooth jazz of The Braxton Brothers. Saturday starts with the Kern County Honor Jazz Band, followed by Bakersfield’s Jay Smith Group, stellar New York guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg and his quartet, Louis Hayes and the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band, a fireworks display, and the infectious big band/traditional ska outfit Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra. Entertainment also will be provided on a side stage located

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DOUG DAVIS

Western Standard Time ska orchestra will perform on Saturday at the 2015 Bakersfield Jazz Festival.

next to the food vendors. “The fest was created to provide scholarships to music students attending Cal State,” Perez said. “That was Adele’s main concern and really that’s what it’s all about. “Aside from that, I always hope our audience discovers something new for themselves — whether it be an artist they'd never heard of or a style of music. Of course I always like to hear that everyone enjoyed themselves, had a great time and can't wait for next year!”

Friday The Braxton Brothers Friday, known as the “party night” of the Bakersfield Jazz FesPlease see JAZZ / PAGE 30

Louis Hayes will lead the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band on Saturday night.

Boogaloo Assassins will perform on the opening night of the Bakersfield Jazz Festival.

29TH ANNUAL BAKERSFIELD JAZZ FESTIVAL When: 7 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday Where: CSUB Amphitheater, 9001 Stockdale Highway Admission: Friday: $36, $26 students;

Saturday: $41, $29 students; two-day combo: $60, $40 students; free for CSUB students and staff with ID and children under 12. vallitix.com or 3225200.

Bring: A blanket or folding chairs. Coolers containing picnic items are allowed, as are umbrellas (but be considerate of other audience members). Reserved seating snags a six-seat table, which includes

waitress service for wines and specialty beers; complimentary Dewar's chews. Don't bring: Alcoholic beverages Information: Bakersfieldjazz.com


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