10/29/2016
The BBJazz Festival 2015
Two Days of Music Bliss
An Exclusive by Museically Inclined's
Mikey Adam Cohen & Sheryl Aronson
Huntington Beach…The Huntington Beach Central Park …September 12th & September 13th
On the grounds of the Huntington Beach Central Park the two-day BBJazz Festival governed the 350 acres of wooded landscape with scrumptious R&B & Contemporary music. Co-Founders and Producers, Betty Bennish and her husband Corky along with several volunteers, devised an aura of a relaxed, but tightly run party atmosphere. The star-studded lineup rocked and crooned soulful /funky sounds that the audience loved hearing. Eric Benet, Faith Evans, Kelly Price, Sheila E. and Joe headlined the shows, but the audience was also treated to L. Young, Legally Blynd, Sisqo, Anthony David and Elle Varner for Day One. B. Slade, Jarrod Lawson, and Bilal for Day Two. DJ Malski emceed the entire festival.
The park seemed like a musical island of beauty embellished by towering eucalyptus and willow trees. A lush green meadow graced by a pond full of ducks provided the backdrop behind the stage. People were out walking their dogs, jogging; enjoying the late summer’s day while sonic waves of funk saturated the air. In front of the stage thousands of fans sat under umbrellas or on blankets strewn across the lawn. Picnic baskets were on hand or food bought at the numerous vendors selling their wares. The VIP tables donned the front of the stage with excellent views of the artists.
“The BB Jazz Festival brings annual R&B, Soul, and Contemporary music concerts to the community of Huntington Beach,” Betty Bennish said on the BBJazz website. www.bbjazz.com. The BB Jazz Festival is a 501 non-profit organization serving two purposes: supporting live music, and at the same time donating the proceeds to benefit various charities. Betty said, “I find causes to donate what I have left over. I prefer to donate to a hands on organization, such as moving a school to Orange or working with someone’s wish list that needs a driveway or computers in the classroom. It always seems to come to children’s causes though.”
During the two days, the husband and wife team dashed around managing all the behind scenes necessary tasks. Inevitably, you would see Betty Bennish, sporting a straw hat, pop up at the trailers to give the musicians a warm welcome hug. Corky drove a golf cart up and down the grounds patrolling the festival.
In an interview with Museically Inclined, the music maven talked about how she chose her acts, “ I always have different reason to choose artists. Last year Faith Evans was switching her agency so I couldn’t get her, but was very excited to bring her out this time, and Sisqo had a new solo project, so I wanted to help him get his music out . I do like to see the artists perform in other venues to make sure I get moved myself before I book them.”
Up on a hill four trailers stood like a wagon train. A goody table offered delectable treats under a tent’s covering… picnic tables were set up providing a relaxed atmosphere for the press and artists in between the sets. This hideaway gave a lovely break from the relentless sun beating down all day long.
L. Young kicked off the BBJazz Festival with his quintet. I had the pleasure of hearing L. Young sing at the NAMM show, January 2015, with the No Wonder Band (Stevie’s Wonder’s backup band) and he had kicked off that concert too with his smooth, expressive vocals. Here’s what I wrote about L. in The Hollywood Times: “The singers paraded the front platform one after the other honoring the renowned Stevie Wonder, My Cherie Amour topped the list of songs as the audience swayed to and fro to the syllables la, la, la, la, la, la…as L.Young joyfully sung this popular tune.”
This afternoon Young was joined by his friend Kay-ta Matsuno, who plowed out a few blazing solos on his guitar backing up the vocalist. The lyrics to a sweet love ballad set the tone for a wonderful afternoon and evening of music as Young sang, “Love is…Love is something you can touch…something that is so real…”
Next up Legally Blynd offered a mix of genres. The group’s lead vocalist, Jubu Smith Kemp reported that’s how the group got its name. “We like to pull from all genres, in other words, we are blynd to any one type of music to compose our songs.” While listening to the group I first thought, “Oh they’re a reggae band… but then with another song, I heard a Cajun bluesy sound which I thoroughly enjoyed… then Legally Blynd switched to featuring funky, jazzy sax and trombone solos… and finally a rocking guitar improvisation pleased my ears. All in all the mixture worked in creating a delightful tasty combo of music.
For the people who wanted to hear some hip hop music, Sisqo fit the bill singing and dancing to some of his Dru Hill tunes. He performed a combination of songs from his three albums Unleash The Dragon, Return of the Dragon, and Last Dragon. Four athletically built performers hit the floor with Sisqo bouncing and flipping their bodies in perfect unison. Sounds of thunder rumbled from the sound system. The energy heightened. However, the artist switched the mood displaying a softer side. Taking off his baseball cap, his infamous white blonde hair topped his head, and Sisqo melted the women’s’ hearts crooning the love ballad, Incomplete. He ended the song by taking a deep bow.
With a dreamy look on his face and a voice undulating with a sweet bluesy melody, Anthony David flavored the atmosphere with his own brand of R&B, funk, and rock recipe that conjured images of floating lazily down the Mississippi on a summer’s day. The lyrics to one of his songs,”Look at the way she’s dropping it, popping it, check out how she’s dropping it, don’t jut stand there watching it…” had a catchy groove.
He also showed off his guitar playing on a pearl white instrument with gold frets. Walking into the audience while strumming his gorgeous new guitar, Anthony sang his latest release, I Believe. It had a sexy rap inside of it and he finished up the love ballad by singing, “I shine, when you shine....”
“I just got through doing musical theatre in Atlanta and a film where I play a young Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire,” the musician informed Museically Inclined.
Ms. Elle Varner enhanced the afternoon with a touch of female energy. Her long luxurious curls softly crested her face, she looked stunning in a sheer black blouse layering a sequined bustier and flowing trousers. Eric Benet had arrived early and chatted with Elle up by the trailers. He complimented the vocalist on her great singing talent and requested that they do some music together. Eric Benet said, “Elle has colors in her voice that you don’t hear from other artists.”
Listening to Varner perform I did hear different colors of Billie Holliday, Minnie Ripperton, a bit of Etta James. The singer talked about some of her influences growing up, “I discovered things naturally growing up…I would say who’s this and it would be Ella Fitzgerald, or Joni Mitchell and James Taylor too. It’s random how I discovered the music that influenced me. I am an interpreter.”
When the Grammy nominated artist worked her way into the hit song Refill the crowd stood up to join in the revelry. Slowly and sensually she jammed…”Can I get a refill…”
The afternoon gently released the sun’s glow as the sky stonewashed in slate blues infused with yellow filament. A buzz filled the air in anticipation of Eric Benet taking the stage. In the next moment, the ever- youthful Benet hit the platform hopping around barefoot. Classed out in a hip white suit, matching straw hat, with sunglasses perched on the handsome face, the singer looked straight out of GQ. Benet yelled, “Let me take you back to 1996.” The crowd roared and Benet set a romantic mood where couples got cozy preparing for a night of love.
The four time Grammy nominee vocalist invited the co-writer of Chocolate Legs, Jubu (from Legally Blynd) back to the set to play the guitar. Benet cautioned, “Some people felt left out of this song but there are so many different flavors of chocolate…you got your dark chocolate, you got your white chocolate, chocolate with wasabi and with some caliente…” The women went wild. Bending down on the left side of the stage, he shook hands with many of his fans.
Pairing up with his stunning backup singer, Jessica Jolie, they sang the hot number You’re The Only One. As the set blazed into the night ,Benet removed parts of his wardrobe until he wore just his white dress shirt over a tee and summer breeze white trousers…no hat, no jacket, no sunglasses, no shoes.
Faith Evans, winner of three time platinum-certified studio albums between 1995 and 2001, including Faith (1995), Keep the Faith (1998) and Faithfully (2001) graced the evening by being the grand finale of Day One. This multi-talented artist won a Grammy for a 1997 tribute single featuring Puff Daddy and the band 112, named I'll Be Missing You in 1998. Also an actress and writer, Evans wrote her autobiography Keep the Faith: A Memoir in 2008. She delighted the audience by saying, “I’m going to perform until someone tells me to get off the stage.” And the super star kept her promise dancing like a Soul Queen in her shimmering silver dress, singing her heart out.
DAY TWO
Not one cloud dotted the azure sky. The sun’s bright rays intermixed with the slight breeze fashioned a lovely Sunday afternoon for hearing Day Two’s roster of music.
B. Slade, formerly known under the gospel moniker Tonéx started off the afternoon festivities. We heard his smorgasbord of styles with the set, some R&B, funk, soul, pop and bit of jazz. He calls his own unique blend of music, Nureau.
Slade has also received 2 Grammy nominations: one for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album for his 2004 gold album, Out The Box and another in 2009 for Best Urban/Soul Alternative Performance for his single, "Blend", from his 2009 mainstream (albeit theoretically Gospel) album, Unspoken.
A cool refreshing sound erupted from the band of Jarrod Lawson, keyboardist and vocalist. He sported that old-fashioned soul sound which makes sense since Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway were Lawson’s inspirations. . He also had sprinkles of jazz and gospel in his music. The backup singers provided hip harmonies.
Dressed in a chocolate colored Nehru- type jacket with jeans underneath and a relaxed demeanor, Bilal reminded me of a 60’s artist. His eclectic look matched perfectly with the diverse music styles when performing. Bilal has been known in the music world to stretch boundaries by rejecting any one term that identifies his brand. Capable of singing a wide range of music from opera to hip hop to jazz to Alternative rock, the musician talked about his philosophy on performing, “My music and my whole style is based out of different genres, it’s genre bending. I pull from rock, jazz, soul, gospel, classical and mix it all in there.” Bilal also commented on his newest CD, Another Life “It is socially conscious, it is introspective, and yet there is sheer erotic funk moments too. I put myself in the shoes of a lot of different people and look outwards on life.”
The audience then got a large meal of good old fashion soul from Kelly Price. When she bent low from the waist and ripped up songs about love’s betrayals, she caused all of us to hurt with her. Her voice wailed with raw emotion. “He should have told me…” Kelly roared. Kelly told the audience that when she hit the music scene, “I was told I was too fat, too black, too loud. Twenty three years later, I am still here performing.”
This successful recording artist doesn’t take her good fortune for granted. “Performing for an audience never gets old. I still get nervous before I go onstage. I respect the crowd and am pleased they still want to hear me.”
Growing up in a strict Pentecostal Christian family, Kelly was encouraged to pursue a career in the gospel world rather than become an R&B musician. “I grew up Pentecostal family and was not allowed to listen popular music. My mother could if I was playing R&B through me bedroom door. But this was my path. The world is so big and so many people can be reached through a song like As We Lay. My singing is a different kind of pulpit”
Her newest collection of CD’s. are broken up into Volumes: Volume One is called Sing, Pray, Love…Pray, Volume Two which will come out in Spring of 2016 is called Sing, Pray Love…Love.
As the afternoon wound down and the crowd danced to DJ Malski’s cool tunes blasting over the sound system, an anticipatory excitement percolated. Ms. Sheila E. would be performing in a few minutes and everyone knew the energy would soon be super charged. No one electrifies the airwaves with such lightening bolt drumming. As soon as her group hit the stage dressed in all white outfits, the music took off into the stratosphere that caused wild dancing and high celebration. Sheila’s white cape blouse flowed over her body as she pounded the timbales…she got the audience to clap their hands together and party along with the band’s antics. The Latin flavored rhythms mixed with funky, soulful melodies tore up the night. Ms. E. sang, “Strawberry jam, keep my jam…” she bent over the timbales then the lead singer showed off her bluesy voice and broke into a Sly Stone song, “I Gotta Be ME.” Then there was a rap, which finally ended with a high-energy chorus.
Sheila told the fans, “I’m celebrating 41 years in the business. I feel like we’re all one family. Everybody is a VIP. Let’s get everyone dancing…” She broke into the song Fiesta. In her indomitable spirit of reaching out to the audience, Sheila grabbed her white guitar and walked through the crowd. She said later in an interview, “The hard thing about playing these festivals is the people are so far away from me and the stage. I feel disconnected with all the barriers so I try to get out and say hello. I want to get up close and personal.”
She revealed that the band had traveled all day long from the East Coast with a 2:30 am wake up call to be at the BBJazz Festival. Touring the world this summer has been challenging for the artist. “The hard thing about playing all these concerts is the heat. It’s ten degrees hotter up on stage. I’ve gotten heat stroke but I always try my best to have the energy up when playing,”
In the past year, the artist had made four music videos, released a new CD, Icon, has performed on a world tour, published her new memoir, To The Beat of My Own Drum, and opened a club in the Valley named: The E. Spot.
She ended by saying, “Things don’t get easier as you get older. You have to continuously work hard. However, I love this band and the fellowship I have just hanging out with friends and family.”
The last act of the BBJazz Festival was the smooth, romantic singer Joe. As the sexy ballad man crooned his hit songs Still Not a Player, Wanna Get to Know You, and Thank God I Found You… What better way to end a weekend of splendid music than closing your eyes and fantasizing about love’s colorful blushes?
Betty Bennish put it this way, “I appreciate that people are supporting these artists. I want them to have a wonderful time and do it again. It’s a lot of work for people not to have fun. “
A great story with my partner, Sheryl Aronson from interviews and experiences we had while covering, BBJazz Events annual Jazz Festival 2015
Eric Benet,Faith Renée Evans Joe Thomas Kelly Price Elle Varner SisQó Anthony David Legally Blynd Music L. Young B.Slade Bilal Jarrod Lawson Sheila E.Thank you for bringing to the and to the fans who came out it was definitely a WrightTouchEntertainment .aronson.444
Wright Touch Entertainment
Owner/ DJ/ Producer/ Remixer/Photographer/Mobile DJ Entertainment For Any Birthday, Wedding, Corporate Party, Radio, Night Club etc. Also provide Custom Music Remixing & Music Production For Dance Crews, Artists, Singers Cheer Squads Etc
Thank You to Corky & Betty for an incredible time as always...The best way I can spend my birthday annually.-- Mikey Adam Cohen
Also thanks to Candice Dixon of Candice Dixon Photography for not only being a great person to have as my guest but also for her contributions.
Thanks to my important team broadcast engineer, Nelson Miller owner of Urban Soul Radio Station where we have our 3 radio shows. Glad he good have a day in my world. Mario Jennings great having you on board as well. I look forward to seeing your photos as always.
http://www.urbansoulmedia.com/
For more information, on other fabulous BBJAZZ Events click here...http://www.bbjazz.com/events/current-events.html
For information on listening to your media partners for this event, to win tickets, and to become a loyal listener of Smooth Saturday’s With Aysha, Mikey Adam Cohen & Jack Cohen’s Smooth Jazz Live TOP 25, or any other fabulous program on Urban Soul Radio.
http://www.urbansoulmedia.com/
This event will be photographed by Smooth Jazz Live & Access Media’s own Mikey Adam Cohen Please follow them at the following addresses below…
https://www.facebook.com/ViewFromTheTOP- Mikey Adam Cohen’s Personal page
https://www.facebook.com/AccessMediaCEO Media Company,Owned & Operated By Mikey Adam Cohen
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http://www.thejazzinmee.com/ Media Partner with Smooth Jazz Live & Access Media – The World’s Leading Jazz Magazine, A fusion of jazz , fashion and art, THE JAZZ IN M.E.E Magazine is the premiere source for the jazz industry and its artists.
Betty Bennish, together with her husband and best friend, Corky, formed BBJAZZ.
BBJAZZ is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization formed in the year 2001 with a dual purpose of raising funds and awareness for Children's charities. BBJAZZ brings annual R&B, Soul and Contemporary Music Events to the community of Huntington Beach. After a few years of working with Ritz Entertainment in Orange County, Betty found a way to combine her passion for music and her experience in the music industry to benefit music and various charities. Their journey has been very rewarding and they hope to continue supporting live music and donating the proceeds to great causes. They are grateful for great volunteers, friends and customers who help make these events possible. Corky and Betty have both had life threatening illnessess and are excited to help others in a positive way. Check out Betty's links for others that are making a difference and support them too.
BBJAZZ is proud to present an Annual Concert Series in the Huntington Beach Library Theatre and the two day BBJAZZ Festival outdoors in Central Park. Please join us and celebrate life.
