Local jazz fans are flocking to the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa this summer to enjoy the 4th annual Sunset Jazz at Newport concert series, held in the Marriott’s remodeled Rose Garden every Wednesday evening through September 18.
Presented by The Jazz Cruise, Sunset Jazz at Newport offers jazz aficionados the opportunity to see a remarkable lineup of renowned musicians perform two one-hour sets each night in an intimate setting while enjoying wine and light food fare.
The concerts begin at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $18 to $35 per person depending on seating location. More details are available at WestCoastJazzParty.com.
Upcoming concerts include:
July 31: John Pizzarelli Quartet with Larry Fuller, Martin Pizzarelli and Tony Tedesco. John Pizzarelli has enjoyed a three decade career as a jazz guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. He’s performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Hollywood Bowl, and many other venues.
August 7: Jeff Hamilton Trio – Celebrating Jeff’s 60th Birthday. Birthday boy Jeff Hamilton is the driving rhythm force behind the renowned Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, in addition to leading one of the finest trios in jazz today. Hamilton has performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney and many others, and has played on over 200 recordings.
August 14: Ken Peplowski Quartet. Peplowski is an outstanding clarinetist and saxophone player as well as a charismatic entertainer who has been delighting audiences for more than 30 years. His quartet includes Mike Wofford on piano, Chuck Berghofer on bass, and Sammy Miller on drums.
August 21: Dori Caymmi Quartet. Rooted in Bossa Nova and Brazillian but with a sound all his own, multi Grammy-winning jazz musician Dori Caymmi takes a modern approach to a classic sound. He’s performed with such noted names as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Quincy Jones, Dionne Warwick, and Sarah Vaughan, and produces and performs his own music.
August 28: Byron Stripling/Bobby Floyd Quartet. A spectacular trumpeter with a wide range and the ability to blend many influences into his own style, Byron Stripling is in constant demand to play with pops orchestras around the world. He teams with keyboardist Bobby Floyd, who has performed with the Columbus Symphony and shared the stage with Dionne Warwick and Smokey Robinson.
September 4: Ernie Andrews Quartet plus special guest Rickey Woodard. Sensational singer Ernie Andrews brings with him Rickey Woodard on Saxophone, Llew Matthews on piano, Richard Simon on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums.
September 11: Wycliffe Gordon in Hello Pops–A Tribute to Louis Armstrong. Wycliffe Gordon has enjoyed an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator. He plays hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz, and was named 2002 Trombonist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association.
September 18: Judy Roberts/Greg Fishman Quartet. The Chicago Tribune has awarded pianist/singer Judy Roberts the title of Chicago’s Favorite Jazz Woman, but she’s also recognized as an international jazz star thanks to a succession of successful recordings and concert performances. She performs with saxophonist and flutist Greg Fishman, an accomplished performer, recording artist, author, teacher, and clinician.