In tune with the Long Beach Jazz Festival

That end of summer (actually early autumn) tradition in Long Beach is upon us. The “City By The Sea” becomes a mecca for music lovers, beginning Thursday night, Sept. 15, and ending Sunday, Sept. 18, when the Long Beach Jazz Festival takes center stage. A world-class cadre of musicians gather at the Long Beach Public Library, and other venues, for four days devoted to jazz and other forms of innovative music-making.
Going into its ninth season, the jazz festival has become a much anticipated annual tradition for the community. “The people of Long Beach have embraced this creative music that many were unfamiliar with before being introduced to this festival over the past decade,” said Steve Adelson, the festival’s founder and longtime producer. “As we rebound from the effects of the hurricane, Long Beach came alive with the surfing competition, and now we segue into our jazz festival. Each year the excitement escalates as the dates approach. The public has come to expect creative music from world-class musicians. The enthusiasm can be felt throughout the city.”
The latest edition of the Long Beach Jazz Festival continues to have an international flavor.
“This year we are proud to present many new artists who represent some of the best of the jazz genre,” said Adelson, “I’m honored to feature such artists as Omar Hakim, who has played drums with Sting and Madonna; Bakithi Kumalo, who plays bass with Paul Simon (“You Can Call Me Al”); major jazz artist Charlie Hunter; pianists George Cables and Connie Crothers; pianist/producer Onaje Allan Gums,; and Oz Noy, virtuoso guitarist from Israel, who recently played with the Allman Brothers. All our musicians share a common bond of creative DNA.”
Adelson emphasized that the public should come ready to be thoroughly entertained by these special artists. “We present many styles of music, some stretching the definition of jazz,” he said. “The performances will be varied and, above all, enjoyable.”
The diverse styles from these artists results in a “sonic smorgasbord, “according to Adelson. “There will groups featuring the styles of gypsy swing, modern jazz, fusion, blues, Latin, and much more,” he said. “The Long Beach Jazz Festival is unique in that it is a grassroots, community-based event magnifying the love of the music.”
And it remains free. “Despite the difficult economy, our sponsors have given generously to allow us to keep the festival free to the public,” Adelson noted. “We always appreciate the help and support of the Long Beach Public Library, which has enabled the festival to become such an outstanding success. We are proud to offer an alternative to a high-cost event in Manhattan.”
One of the highlights of the 2011 season of LBJF is the return of guitar legend – and Long Beach native – Dean Brown, who has played with Roberta Flack, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, and countless others. His new quartet, the Dean Brown Band, which over the past year has garnered international critical acclaim, will do one set at the library and an evening at Sutton Place restaurant. “We are proud to bring Sutton Place on board for their first time,” Adelson said.
This year’s event also brings back pianist Rachel Z, fronting her band the Trio of Oz, featuring Omar Hakim. And after a three-year absence, the festival welcomes back the Stephane Wrembel Group, with special guest washboard master David Langlois. Guitar phenom Oz Noy also returns. 
New additions to the schedule include pianist and vocalist Gail Storm, innovative guitarist Vicki Genfan, and drummer Frank Bellucci (who will be playing with Steve Adelson’s Stick-Tet).
In addition to his producing duties, Adelson, the renowned Chapman Stick player, performs at the Long Beach Public Library stage on Saturday afternoon, as well as an early “happy hour” appearance at Sutton Place (with a trio) on Friday, and a dinner set at Grillfire on Saturday. The Chapman Stick is a revolutionary 12-string instrument that enables the player to perform multiple parts simultaneously by using a tapping technique.
“I will  have my regular core group with some surprise guests sitting in,” said Adelson. “I am looking forward to playing with drum master Frank Bellucci, who is a new member of our band. Also, I will be sitting in with Rachel and Omar.” When not involved with the Long Beach Jazz Festival, Adelson continues to perform throughout the U.S. and internationally, and is involved in numerous other projects.
        The Long Beach Public Library remains the festival’s principal venue. “The library has been very gracious in opening their auditorium to present this music free to the public,” said Adelson. “They have also been a major sponsor and an advocate of our cultural weekend. I thank the library board for their continued support. The library has become a hub of artistic endeavors.”
Adelson expects more than 3,000 people to attend over the four days, “Our fan base continues to grow yearly,” he said.
In addition to the Long Beach Public Library, locations include a number of restaurants – George Martin’s Grillfire and Lola’s, along with Sutton Place and Avenue Café (both new venues this year), as well as the Long Beach Historical Society Museum.
      At the festival’s conclusion, there will be an auction of two autographed guitars donated by Michael’s Music of Freeport and the Long Beach Music School.