By Mary-Justine Lanyon
The weather was windy and chilly but the music was hot.
The Blue Jay Jazz Festival took place this past weekend, on Aug. 22, 23 and 24. Some folks chose to attend one evening; many were there for all three. All came away enriched by what they had heard from international stars and local up and coming musicians.
Several of the Future Generation Jazz scholars played with the Speakeasy Jazz Band on Thursday night. (Photo by Mary-Justine Lanyon)
Thursday night opened with a bit of disappointment: Poncho Sanchez was experiencing some health issues and was advised not to venture up to our altitude. Gloria Loring, the festival’s ambassador, invited the sellout crowd to wish Poncho well, which they did in a video that was sent to the conga-playing star.
However, Sanchez sent his band up to play and play they did. The dance floor was soon alive with folks responding to the Latin flavors emanating from the musicians.
Nine of the 10 Future Generation Jazz scholars with Chris Levister, Lewis Murray, Hugh Bialecki and Ted Alejandre. The students hold the $2,500 donation from Supervisor Dawn Rowe. (Photo by Dylan Wood)
But before they took the stage, the mountain’s own Speakeasy Jazz Band fired up the crowd. Several of the Future Generation Jazz scholars joined them, after which vocalists April Sweeney and Shannon Bizzy added their sweet sounds to the music.
San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Ted Alejandre was on hand, as he has been for the past several years, to present the scholarships to the scholars. “I love sports,” he said, “but we have to support the arts. Music is such a priority.”
In addition to those presentations to the scholars, Lewis Murray presented a check for $2,500 from Supervisor Dawn Rowe to Hugh Bialecki, representing the Blue Jay jazz Foundation.
Prior to the festival, Sanchez had promised that “we’re going to jump, shout and shimmy.” The crowd did that and more in honor of the conga king.
Blue Jay Jazz Festival goers took to the dance floor as Poncho Sanchez’s band played, overlooking Lake Arrowhead. (Photo by Dylan Wood)
The second night at Tavern Bay Beach Club opened with the mountain’s own Ara Tokatlian, who graduated from Rim High in 2023 and then spent a year in his father’s native Argentina. Tokatlian thanked the Blue Jay Jazz Foundation for their faith in him and their support. And he thanked Dinah Ruch for “all she’s done for the festival.”
Ara Tokatlian mesmerized the crowd first on the keyboard and then on his sax. (Photo by Mary-Justine Lanyon)
Tokatlian first played the keyboard and sang Stevie Wonder’s “Visions.” Several festival goers commented on how rich and mature his voice has become. And then he picked up his sax and played John Coltrane’s “Moment’s Notice” in honor of Ruch. He was able to buy his new sax, he said, because of the support of both the Foundation and the community.
As Chris Levister, the president of the Blue Jay Jazz Foundation, introduced jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour, she said he had made possible the donation of a guitar to the Foundation by Yamaha, a festival sponsor.
As it had on Thursday night, the wind blew and temperatures fell but the music warmed everyone’s hearts and souls. Ritenour, known as “Captain Fingers,” was joined on stage by Lake Arrowhead resident George Whitty on keyboard. Ritenour’s son, Wesley, was there, too, wowing the crowd on drums.
The Jazz Salon featured John Proulx on keys. (Photo by Mary-Justine Lanyon)
On Saturday, the festival moved to the lawn at the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa for an evening of jazz standards by John Proulx and the Jazz Salon. Dave Ross, who launched the Jazz Salon in Los Angeles, reminded the audience that the mission of the Blue Jay Jazz Foundation is “to have kids fall in love with jazz.”
The musicians were joined by two young singers – Julia Davidson and Maya Proulx, John Proulx’s 17-year-old daughter. Both young women brought the crowd to their feet in appreciation of their vocal talents.
Also joining the musicians was Val Geason, who had toured with Ray Charles as one of his Raylettes. She was not the only connection to Ray Charles: saxophonist Rickey Woodard had played with him for seven years, followed by gigs with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. Trumpeter Nolan Shaheed also played with Duke Ellington. And Lake Arrowhead resident Judd Pillot – a writer/producer of such shows as Coach and Mad About You – was on drums.
The evening and festival ended with Proulx and Geason joining forces on “Route 66.”
As the last notes drifted away over Lake Arrowhead, Levister thanked everyone for their support of the festival and of jazz.
“I’m feeling sad that it’s over,” she said, “but I’m also joyous. Music is the calming influence we all need in our lives.”
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