Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines Aug. 25 and 26

The arty town of Idyllwild presents a first-rate music festival that swings and sings with jazzy melodies in late August. The 19th annual “Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines,” situated in the mile-high community of the rugged San Jacinto Mountains, just a short two-hour drive from Los Angeles, offers an eclectic roster of performances for all to enjoy – along with new festival amenities.



Set for Saturday, August 25 and Sunday 26, “Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines,” kicks off with an opening night gala Patron’s Dinner Dance reception on Friday, August 24. All of the festivities take place on the campus of the Idyllwild Arts Academy, located at 52500 Temecula Road, Idyllwild, CA 92549.



Festival tickets are $65.00 per day ($120.00 for both days), children under 12 are free if accompanied by a paying adult. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. Concerts begin at 10:30 a.m. Free parking in designated lots with shuttles running continuously from the center of town and free parking. Campus parking is limited to VIP ticket holders and handicapped parking only. For tickets and additional information visit: www.idyllwildjazz.com or call the Hotline at (951) 500-4090.



NEW THIS SEASON: Leave the driving to us! For only $30.00 per person round trip, the JAZZ TRANS will transport attendees to and from the event with pickups in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. Offer available on Saturday, August 25 only. Ticket purchase are available online only at www.idyllwild.com , click on “Tickets.”



“Summer is prime season in Idyllwild!” said Jazz Chair, Marsha Lytle. “Its many galleries are joined by a busy schedule of seasonal events, from educational to recreational fun. The town has kept its ‘small town’ atmosphere ─ locally-owned shops and restaurants ─ no box stores or fast-food eateries or hi-priced coffee emporiums. What the town has to offer is crisp clean fresh air, camping and hiking trails, relaxing vacation rentals and cabins… and JAZZ!”



Event’s proceeds support the Idyllwild Arts Academy. “As an Idyllwild resident it is my responsibility to give back to the community,” Lytle explained. “The Idyllwild Arts Academy is a school that has mastered the art of arts education, offering a disciplined college preparatory program for grades 9-12 and post-graduates, along with world-class training in creative writing, dance, film & video, interdisciplinary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts. It is an honor to be a part of the team that believes in keeping the arts alive.”



Characterized by propulsive syncopated rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, varying degrees of improvisation, and often deliberate distortions of pitch and timbre, this year’s festival once again presents music enthusiasts diverse mix of all things JAZZ at three outdoor venues: Holmes Amphitheatre (“Main Stage”), Stephens Recital Hall (“The Barn”), and The French Quarter, plus a “Festival Marketplace” along winding pathways lined with various art and crafts booths. “Dine in the Pines” offers food, beverages, and alcoholic concoctions for the over 21 crowd, as well as sponsor and informational booths.



The festival weekend kicks off on Friday, August 24, with the Patron’s Dinner Dance at Nelson Hall on the Idyllwild Arts Campus. “A Taste of Idyllwild" Cocktail Party hosted by Idyllwild Restaurants starts this special evening with a Red Carpet Entrance. The night continues with gourmet food, fine wine and fun, along with music by the Idyllwild Arts Students and Alumni, with a special appearance by Guest of Honor, Mary Stallings with pianist Eric Reed and “Brush Master” Clayton Cameron. The Patron’s Package also includes one ticket for each day of the festival, VIP preferred parking, and reserved seating in the Holmes Amphitheatre (“Main Stage”). A limited number of packages are available at $250 per person and are on sale until Monday, August 20.



The Festival takes place rain or shine and the artist line-up is subject to change and not in order of appearance.



Holmes Amphitheatre (“Main Stage”) – An open-air, tiered, grass covered natural amphitheater. Parachutes are hung from the towering pines to offer shade while still allowing breezes. Master of Ceremonies: Bubba Jackson, KKJZ 88.1FM



Saturday – 10:30 a.m, to 6:00 p.m.

Idyllwild Arts Students and Alumni, Janis Mann, Kenny Burrell,

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Luther Hughes Cannonball-Coltrane Project



Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sweet Baby J’ai with Bonne Musique Zydeco Band, The Ray Goren Band,

Tony Moore with Lori Jenaire, Brian Bromberg, Johnny Polanco Y Su Conjunto Amistad



Stephens Hall (“The Barn”) – Indoor seating, overflow seating on the covered patio, a perfect intimate spot for smaller band performances. Master of Ceremonies, Sandii Castleberry



Saturday – 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Barnaby Finch and The Straightjackets, Robin Adler, Mahesh Quartet,

Mary Stallings with The Eric Reed Trio, The Cunninghams (Don & Alecia)



Sunday – 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Idyllwild Arts Students and Alumni, The Hot Club Of Idyllwild, George Kahn Featuring Courtney Lemon,

Mike Wofford/Holly Hofman Quintet featuring Gilbert Castellanos, Clayton Cameron and The Jass eXplosion



The French Quarter – A New Orleans-style open-air bistro for dancing, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, waitress service. Master of Ceremonies: Rocky Zharp



Saturday – 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

P.S. Blues Band, Rocky Zharp & The Blues Crackers, Change Required, Contagion, The Chuck Alvarez Band



Sunday – 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Rocky Zharp & The Blues Crackers, Johnny Polanco Y Su Conjunto Amistad, P.S. Blues Band, Bonne Musique Zydeco Band



**For safety and security reasons: There is no smoking on Festival grounds except in designated smoking areas. NO audio recording devices, video cameras or filming of the event is permitted. NO coolers, picnic baskets or glass containers, alcoholic beverages, food or drink (except for unopened sealed water containers), pets (except for service dogs), lawn chairs with backs higher than 32”, sun canopies, or large sun hats are allowed. Due to the uneven terrain, flip-flops and high heels are NOT recommended.



“Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines” Artistic Director and KKJZ FM88.1 on-air personality, Bubba Jackson said: “We always want our lineup to whet the appetite of all musical tastes. That’s why we present all the genres of jazz – from traditional/mainstream and smooth/contemporary to a taste of Latin, a smidgen of Neo Soul and a whisper of R&B. I think this year we stuck a cord that will delight all our fans and bring more music lovers up the hill to enjoy a relaxing weekend.”



Last year’s biggest surprise 12-year-old Blues prodigy, guitarist Ray Goren, is returning to the festival this year as one of the headliners. “And we are bringing Mary Stallings down from San Francisco and The Cunninghams in from Las Vegas,” said Jackson. “We’ll continue to delight with Grammy-award winning guitarist Kenny Burrell, the best Latin Band in the country, Johnny Polanco Y Su Conjunto Amistad, and many, many more. Our line-up is eclectic, and with three stages of diverse offerings, we guarantee a finger-popping jazzy good time!



The 19th annual “Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines” is sponsored by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, Wells Fargo Bank, Café Aroma, and supporting sponsors Stella Artois, Sacco Dining, Quiet Creek Inn and Vacation Rentals, Ballard Gas Service, Cardiff Limousine & Transportation, Palm Springs Subaru, Mary Austin “Scholarships & Grants”, Equity Lifestyle Properties: Thousand Trails and Encore, Idyllwild Inn, Idyllwild Pharmacy, Jazzercise, Sante D'Or Animal Adoption Center, Manny and Linda Rider and Drs. Patricia James and Divid Mantik. Media partners include the Idyllwild Town Crier, KKJZ FM 88.1, The Sun Runner and KVCR.



The event is produced by the Associates of Idyllwild Arts Foundation. Marsha Lytle is Jazz Chair, Bubba Jackson is Artistic Director; website is serviced by Omni-Web with publicity and media relations provided by Regina Davis for Davis & Associates Public Relations.