By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY – Senior Writer

Last weekend’s 16th anniversary of the Blue Jay Jazz Festival was a trifecta of three sold-out jazz concerts, beginning on Thursday, Aug. 24t at the exclusive Tavern Bay Beach Club and wrapping up on Saturday, Aug. 26 at the Lake Arrowhead Resort in Lake Arrowhead Village.

In a welcoming message from Blue Jay Jazz Foundation President Chris Levister, she recalled how some 30 years ago bandleader Tommy Newsome and his famed Tonight Show orchestra kicked off the first official concert in the company of a few jazz diehards seated in a Blue Jay parking lot that showcased jazz legends such as trumpet sensation Chris Botti and Burrell, organist Joey DeFrancessco, percussionist Poncho Sanchez and pianist Patrice Rushen.

“The Blue Jay Jazz Festival has come a long way since those magical parking lot days. While we are thrilled to bring this impressive Grammy and Emmy-recognized artist lineup to our stage, lest we forget, our success is made possible by loyal fans and supporters like you,” Levister said.

As hundreds of jazz aficionados assembled at the Tavern Bay Beach Club on the opening night of this year’s jazz festival, Levister reminded the crowd of the recent series of devastating events so far this year, such as the massive blizzard that either damaged or destroyed over 200 buildings in the Rim communities and the recent hurricane that caused flooding and mudflows throughout the area. Then, Levister offered a moment of silence in memory of Laura Ann Carleton, who was shot and killed on Aug. 18 in front of her Mag Pi clothing store by a homophobic assassin.

Next, as jazz fans shared food and drinks they had brought to the festival grounds, Levister introduced the first of three bands that would be performing on the jazz festival stage, the Cal Baptist University Jazz Band, which played a lively selection of jazz classics during their hour-long performance. Before the Cal Baptist band was done, they were joined by members of the Rim High School jazz band, which demonstrated amazing prowess for such young jazz scholars.

Following that performance, Ted Alejandre, the San Bernardino County superintendent of schools, was joined by Hugh Bialecki; Lori Semeniuk; Stephanie Lewis, president of the Rialto school board; and John Connor of the Tudor House to present this year’s Future Generation Jazz scholarships. This year’s five recipients are Martina Urrutia, David Anderson, Dylan Witter, Chris Whitty and Ara Tokatlian.

The ever-popular Cajun sounds of Lisa Haley and the Zydekats closed out Day one with a 90-minute performance.

Rounding out the evening was Lisa Haley and the Zydekats. Haley, who is a fourth-generation fiddler, dancer, vocalist and songwriter, is actually related to 50s rock ‘n roll star Bill Haley, of Bill Haley and the Comets, best known for their hit record “Rock Around the Clock.” Hayley had the crowd dancing in front of the stage during most of her 90-minute set.

Noting that she’s been coming to the Blue Jay Jazz Festival for the past three years, Lake Arrowhead resident Erin Willey told the Alpine Mountaineer, “I come every year to picnic with my neighbors while enjoying the wonderful music,” she said adding that the highlight of the evening was Lisa Haley and the Zydekats. Echoing Willey was Dr. Paul Boccumini of Lake Arrowhead who commented, “I’ve been coming here for many years. It’s been a beautiful night with beautiful people, and it’s great to see a hot accordionist.”

Actor Ernie Hudson joined Blue Jay Jazz Foundation President Chris Levister in honoring Gloria Anderson and Susan Nieblas as the 2023 Jazz Leading Lights.

Day two of the festival, Friday, Aug. 25, began with Lake Arrowhead Realtor Lynne Wilson offering a moment of silence in honor of Cedar Glen murder victim Laura Ann Carleton. Before the Speakeasy Jazz Band performed, famed actor and Running Springs resident Ernie Hudson – who is best known from the Ghostbuster movies – came on stage to introduce himself to the crowd. “Those of us who live up here love supporting young people in our community. I’m thankful to have found success and lucky to know people that helped me be successful. I encourage everyone to help others achieve their dreams. Don’t just dream, …dream big!”

Dreaming big is Rim High School Class of 2023 graduate and music scholar Ara Tokatlian, who played keyboard and sang his self-composed song, “Forever and Forevermore,” a beautifully sung ballad which garnered big applause from the audience. Ara then announced that he will be taking a year off from his education and traveling to Argentina for his experiences in the world and to examine musical styles.

The Speakeasy Jazz Quartet, featuring songstress Shannon Bizzy, performed on Day one.

Lake Arrowhead-based Speakeasy Jazz Quartet – consisting of Tom Fernandes on guitar, David Hitchings on drums, Miguel Martinez on bass and jazz vocalist Shannon Bizzy – is well-known in the mountaintop communities for their appearances at Lake Arrowhead’s Tudor House and Crestline’s Bizzyland Gardens, which is owned by Shannon Bizzy. They performed a series of popular jazz classics such as “Autumn Leaves,” “Cry Me A River” and “All of Me.”

The highlight of the evening had to be the world-famous Lao Tizer Band, fronted by three-time Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated guitarist and composer Chieli Minucci and nine-time Grammy-nominated and two-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Eric Marienthal, a permanent member of the Chick Corea Elektric Band, as well as Grammy Award-nominated drummer Gene Coye and percussionist Munyungo Jackson.

The Lao Tizer Band, which features three-time Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated guitarist and composer Chieli Minucci and two-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Eric Marienthal, as well as Grammy Award-nominated drummer Gene Coye and percussionist Munyungo Jackson, closed out Day two.

The Lao Tizer Band evolved with an explosive mix of jazz, rock, classical, jam band and Afro Cuban rhythms. Tizer has recorded and released nine albums during a career spanning nearly a quarter-century. Before the evening ended, the Lao Tizer Band played songs from their latest album, including “Carousel,”  “16th Heaven,” “Pride,” “Babycakes,” “Kat’s Groove,” “Why?” “Down” and “New Orleans.”

Commenting on last Friday’s event, audience member Tom Bordon said, “This is an amazingly tactful concert at an amazingly beautiful setting. It’s rare to be able to attend an event like this.”

The final of three Blue Jay Jazz Festival concerts for 2023, featuring four-time Grammy Award winning keyboardist George Whitty, was held in the early afternoon of Saturday, August 26 overlooking Lake Arrowhead on the shaded, outdoor patio at the Lake Arrowhead Resort. This was the first live concert appearance by the newly formed George Whitty Trio.

Chris Whitty, George Whitty, Ara Tokatlian, Eric Marienthal, Dylan Witter and Rayford Griffin. (Photo by Blue Jay Jazz Foundation)

Being that the patio, which is normally used for weddings, is a much smaller venue than the Tavern Bay Beach Club, with a seating capacity of 150 persons, there was a smaller number of jazz fans in attendance, versus 420 persons at Tavern Bay. At any rate, some 175 persons showed up, so some of the arrivals had to stand during the two-hour-long concert. However, no complaints were heard, as everyone was happy to be there to enjoy the music and the Mimosas and Bloody Marys and fruit juices, along with a charcuterie box laden with meats, cheeses, crackers and fruits.

Eventually Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Eric Marienthal blended in with the Trio, as did the jazz scholarship students, which elicited a tumultuous roar of approval from the audience, many of whom were jumping around, on their feet.

“Most of these kids have never played on a live stage before. This was not only great entertainment, but a chance to bring people together in a healing atmosphere (referring to a recent series of catastrophic events that had occurred in the mountaintop area), said Levister.