Reporter
It’s springtime here at CSU Bakersfield which means Bakersfield Jazz Festival is here for its 30th year and another round of jazz music, food, fun and friends.
The 30th Annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival will be held at the CSUB Amphitheater on Friday, May 6 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, May 7 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Bakersfield Jazz Festival is hosted by CSUB Jazz and CSUB Instrumental Music. “The event combines scholarship, philanthropy, music, and family in one big package,” said Jim Scully, one of the founders of the Bakersfield Jazz Festival.
There will be Grammy Award winners and internationally recognized artists performing on both days of the event. Mike Stern Band, led by Mike Stern, a six-time Grammy nominee for American Jazz Guitar, will play at BJF on Friday night.
Friday’s lineup includes one of the event founders, Doug Davis at 7 p.m., Mike Stern Band at 8:05 p.m. and Brian Culbertson at 9:40 p.m.
Saturday’s lineup includes Kern County Honor Jazz Band at 4 p.m., Tony Rinaldi at 5:10 p.m., Aubrey Logan at 6:20 p.m., Brian Lynch’s “Unsung Heroes” Project (featuring Ralph Moore) at 7:40 p.m., Fireworks Show at 9:15 p.m. and Tito Puente Jr. Orchestra at 9:20 p.m. The CSUB Jazz Collective of 2015-2016 will also be playing on the entry stage of the festival on Saturday from 3:30 to 4 p.m.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s always fun to play for people that enjoy themselves to this type of music,” said Martin Mejia, trumpeter for the CSUB Jazz Collective. Steven Carlson, a percussionist, said, “I’m more excited to watch other people play.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food (no alcohol or glass containers), but there will be vendors such as Michelangelo Wood Fired Pizza, Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar, The BBQ Place and Ben & Jerry’s.
Along with great music and good food, there will be $20,000 worth of scholarships passed out to students from all disciplines. “Eight scholarships will be passed out to students from multiple disciplines. We encourage students from all fields to apply for the scholarships,” said Doug Davis, one of the founders of the Bakersfield Jazz Festival.
The focus of the event changed to helping students when one of the founders Bill Burton died. Over the years, there have been half a million dollars worth of scholarships handed out.
“Two days, 10 bands, lots of good food, drink and music. The whole campus is invited to attend and get free admission by simply showing their CSUB ID card,” said Scully. “We want to share this event with our campus, and we hope that everyone comes and enjoys themselves.”
