2nd Annual San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival Happening This Weekend
by Wendy Lemlin
Last year, a new music-based festival rolled into town and immediately became a success. Filling the downtown waterfront Embarcadero Marina Park North, the three day San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival drew a capacity crowd of not only local smooth jazz enthusiasts, but also participants from all over California and beyond. Not a mean accomplishment for a first-time event during a busy time of year!!
Eric Darius
Drawing on that success, the 2nd annual San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival is back again this weekend, June 29-July 1, with a stellar lineup of some of the best known names of the genre. Hosted by saxophonist, composer, producer, and vocalist Eric Darius, the festival opens with an intimate evening featuring performances by
Jessy J
vocalist and keyboard player Monty Seward and saxophonist Jessy J. On Saturday, Eric Darius will perform, as will Brian Culbertson, Steve Oliver, The Sax Pack with Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, & Jackiem Joyner, and Jazz Funk Soul featuring Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp & Paul Jackson, Jr. Sunday’s lineup shines with Dave Koz Summer Horns featuring Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot and Introducing Aubrey Logan, Hiroshima, Peter White, Nestor Torres, and Marcus Anderson.
Dave Koz & Summer Horns
Smooth Jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz and is influenced by rhythm and blues, funk, rock and roll, and pop music styles, and as such, defies exact definition. There is something in its makeup to appeal to almost everyone—it’s easy to listen to but also encompasses a sophisticated level of musicianship. In other words, it lends itself perfectly to chillin’ on a delightful early summer day or evening, at a beautiful waterfront location on San Diego Bay.
Brian Culbertson
Ticket prices per day for Saturday & Sunday (11 AM-7 PM) are $65 for General Admission (bring your own chairs or blankets), $110 for Reserved Seating, and $250 for VIP seating including dinner and wine. Friday’s exclusive limited attendance show (6-10 PM) is $89.
Find all the info, including artists bios, venue FAQs, and more at SanDiegoSmoothJazzFestival.com