Cameron Poehner, Senior drummer, rehearsed his drum solo on April 23, preparing for the Jazz Festival on May 9 and 10.
Spring is in the air. Can you hear it? That is the sound of the 2014 Bakersfield Jazz Festival. If you are a California State University, Bakersfield student, it is free.
The 28th annual festival is being hosted at CSUB amphitheater on May 9 and 10. It begins on Friday at 7 p.m. and on Saturday at 4 p.m.
The festival has a stellar lineup featuring both local and international artists. Covering genres from jazz to rock and Latin to fusion, the festival promises a vibrant medley of artists.
“The lineup is diverse and exciting this year,” said CSUB music department lecturer and guitarist Jim Scully.” “There is a great combination of wonderful local talent and established international stars.”
Local artists: Latin group Mento Buru, former CSUB graduate, drummer, and composer, Kyle Burnham and the Kern County Honor Jazz Band.
International artists: Dave Matthews Band saxophonist Jeff Coffin and The Mu’tet, brother of Pulitzer Prize winner Wynton Marsalis and jazz trombonist, Delfayo Marsalis, Latin jazz percussionist, Poncho Sanchez, blues-rock guitarist Scott Henderson with the Nomad Quartet, and Gold artist and jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright.
Both days, CSUB musicians will be playing on the Eagle Mountain Casino Entry Stage.
The Bakersfield Jazz Workshop takes place on Friday. The Jazz Workshop, a non-profit created by local trumpet instructor Steve Eisen, is a weekly jazz performance and jam session at local restaurant, Le Corusse Rouge.
The workshop includes guest artists that are brought in for clinics and give small scholarships to students studying with local teachers.
On Saturday, CSUB musicians showcase their own compositions.
“I am performing in a number of student compositions by fellow students such as Jay Smith, Alejandro Arvizu, Tony Rinaldi and Fernando Montoya. I will also be performing some tunes by Geoffrey Keezer and Snarky Puppy as well,” said Nicole Dandy, a 25-year-old music major and guitarist.
The Jazz Festival is an excellent place for CSUB musicians to publicly perform before colleagues and attendees while simultaneously experiencing the pay-off for their hard work.
Nicole Dandy, CSUB Jazz Band’s guitarist, rehearsed with the rest of the Jazz Band on Wednesday April 23 to prepare for the upcoming Jazz Festival at CSUB.
“I’m really excited about the student-composed pieces. This year I feel surprised to say that these songs are written by students because they are so well put together,” said music major and percussionist, Cameron Poehner,23. “When you play something that took a lot of time, effort and collaboration to create, you end up putting a part of yourself out there and that generates an intimate connection with everyone who watches.”
CSUB musicians and students get particularly excited about the social dynamics that the festival brings to the campus.
“My favorite part is the social aspect of it. Spring quarter can be a crazy busy time for most, and getting the chance to just hang out with fellow students in a relaxing stress-free environment is always really refreshing,” Dandy said.
The 2014 Bakersfield Jazz Festival is sure to be a relaxing, musical and fun-filled weekend. You don’t want to miss out!
