By Chelsea L. McDowell
Reporter
CSU Bakersfield saw its 32nd Annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival take place on April 27 and 28. It was directed by Professor Jim Scully in partnership with Lourdes Nilon, of CSUB University Advancement, and the Jazz Festival committee.
Jazz may not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think about Bakersfield, but for two days out of every spring semester, CSU Bakersfield welcomes a diverse crowd to celebrate the American music.
The two day event began in 1987 and was founded by Dr. Doug Davis, the acting director before Scully.
On the opening day of the event, sound checks were heard across campus as the line grew to enter the gate that was built around the Amphitheatre grounds.
Orlando La Allain, a self-proclaimed Latin Jazz fan and parent of an alumna, was the first in line to experience the fest for a second time.
“The first experience was great that’s why I’m back. Good music, good food, good drinks. It’s a good event,” said La Allain.
“You guys want in?” asked a KBAK news reporter from behind the gate before people were finally let in at 6:10 p.m.
This year the second stage was relocated to the east side of the Amphitheatre, and showcased the 17 piece Latin Jazz band Viento—the Spanish word for wind. Fronted by Jorge Luis Santos, who achieved his associate’s degree in Music from Bakersfield College, Viento welcomed the crowd in as they toured the grounds. They would play in between Velorio, Carl Allen & The Art of Elvin, and The Lao Tizer Band featuring Eric Marienthal, all acts that performed on the main Amphitheatre stage.
Festival goers took to choosing their designated spots on the grass, exploring the art booths that merchants had set up for profit, or buying food from the various food stands. Those who attended had Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Bar-Ba-Que, kettle corn and funnel cakes, and Curbside Food Truck to choose from.
Alcohol was also available. Beer was sold for five dollars, wine went for seven dollars, and bottles of wine were available for twenty dollars.
The art vendors were original and diverse in what they had on display.
Anna Keene was among the merchants present on April 27. Being the mother of seven kids, Keene began making jewelry as a way to work from home.
“I fell in love with wire-working,” said Keene. “Now I do glass work with a torch, I specialize in cremation glass jewelry, where I encase ashes and remains in glass.”
Junior philosophy major Ricardo Guzman experienced his first Jazz Festival on Friday April 27. Guzman’s interest in music made him excited to witness musicians free-styling their solos.
“I just got here but already with the sound and the view and the weather, it all works out. I’m having fun so far,” Guzman said.
Director Scully wrote in the events program, “This Festival has featured internationally acclaimed artists, raised money for scholarships for deserving students, and given local artists an opportunity.”
Scully stated that the Jazz Festival brings in over $20,000 for CSUB students annually, a fact that Santos would like others to keep in mind.
“Come and support because this is a good cause. You get scholarships for young musicians going into the music program,” said Santos. “We got to keep Jazz music alive, there’s not much of it in Bakersfield.”
The Jazz Festival continued the next day and opened up to the public at two p.m.
Photo by Richard Gonzales/The Runner
The Poncho Sanchez Band headlines day two of the 2018 Bakersfield Jazz Festival.
