Idyllwild resident Marshall Hawkins helped get the 'Jazz in the Pines' off the ground 20 years ago by tapping into former Idyllwild Arts Academy students to play in it.
The French Quarter at Jazz in the Pines in Idyllwild figures to be lively than ever with peformances from groups such as Lisa Haley and the Zydekats, the Euphoria Brass Band, Chuck Alvarez Band and Ruby and the Red Hots. The festival takes place on the grounds of Idyllwild Arts Academy on Saturday, Aug. 15, and Sunday, Aug. 16.
Heard a rumor about this weekend’s 22nd edition of the Jazz in the Pines Festival that benefits Idyllwild Arts Academy scholarships.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
When “American Idol” stars Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart close out the main stage at 4:15 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, they just might be joined by buddies from Post Modern Juke Box.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Trust me. Their friends like to play with them. It could happen.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Post Modern Juke Box is a remarkable collaboration of musicians – including Reinhart and famous Idyllwild Arts alum Abrams – who perform jazzy remakes of pop tunes.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
This year’s festival takes place Saturday, Aug. 15, and Sunday, Aug. 16, on the beautifully forested grounds of Idyllwild Arts Academy in the San Jacinto Mountains. It has a schedule filled with interesting acts I really liked when I heard them before.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
For a complete rundown of details about the festival, check out the Go + Do section in the Friday, Aug. 14, edition of The Press-Enterprise. Information also is available at idyllwildjazz.com.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
The festival divides performances among three stages: the spacious, grassy main-stage Holmes Amphitheatre, the Stephens Recital Hall and the lively, beer-and-wine serving French Quarter, where dancing imbibers must be 21 or older.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Besides the Abrams and Reinhart show with the possibility of guests, here are my picks:googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Join the Euphoria Brass Band in a New Orleans style, second-line parade to open the festival at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with a march from the entrance gate to the French Quarter.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Idyllwild favorite Lisa Haley and the Zydekats (10:30 a.m. Sunday), who I’ve seen perform catchy zydeco tunes several times, and jazzy Ruby and the Red Hots (2 p.m. Sunday) will keep the French Quarter party going.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Jazzgrass, a fascinating mix of bluegrass and jazz led by Idyllwild keyboardist Barnaby Finch, will perform at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the Stephens Recital Hall.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
The Peter Sprague String Consort will play compositions by the San Diego-area jazz guitarist and composer in Stephens at 1:45 p.m. Sunday. He will perform in a group mixed with jazz and classical musicians. I was amazed by the music when I heard the group at a Hemet Community Concerts performance.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Sunday 4:15 p.m. main-stage performers Abrams and Reinhart figure to be great even without guest appearances by their talented friends. They captured the attention of the nation during their 2011 season of American Idol. Abrams’ two superb 2013 shows at the Historic Hemet Theatre excited audiences.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
There is an evening alternative to Jazz in the Pines for diners who want to experience the vibe of the festival without paying the $60 daily ticket price.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Festival performers are playing at two excellent Idyllwild restaurants.