It’s time to get your jazz on

This year’s Blue Jay Jazz Festival will kick off on Thursday, Aug. 21 with Ms. Monet & Friends. Born Conesha Monet Owens, this California native has fulfilled her fondest wish: To do something in the arts – singing, dancing, acting. “I just wanted to perform all the time,” she has said.

This year’s Future Generation Jazz Scholars will be recognized at the concert.

Her five-octave vocal range has led to her touring with Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald and Joe Bonamassa.

Critics say that “Monet shines when she performs, channeling the class and vocal genius of the greats before her.”

“I am so excited about all that’s needed to be seen and heard by the world,” Ms. Monet said. “I say world because my vision is abundant yet personal. Being able to express this to masses of people is a feeling I just cannot wait to experience… Real music is in transition.”

She will be joined at the Thursday night concert by “friends” Lake Arrowhead resident George Whitty on keyboard and Michael O’Neill on guitar.

But before they take the stage at Tavern Bay Beach Club, the audience will be treated to the stylings of DAP (Digital Audio Projekt).

DAP includes Andre Berry on bass, Bruce Rubio on sax and Harold Allen Jr. on electronic drums.

Berry is one of the busiest sidemen in the business these days, touring with Dave Koz, Rick Braun and Mindi Abair. Rubio, a retired music director, says his number one passion is playing music and performing. And Allen has performed with artists including The Brothers Johnson, Jermaine Jackson, Ivan Neville, Percy Sledge and many others.

To round out the evening, this year’s Future Generation Jazz Scholars will be recognized in a special awards ceremony.

This year’s scholars are Jaered Angel, senior, drums; Boedy Reisner, senior, bass; Isaiah Rodrigues, senior, trumpet; Jaden Martinez, junior, baritone sax; Leena Butler, senior, alto, Gloria Loring Award; Madison Skidmore, eighth grade, clarinet/piano.

For tickets to Shuffle, Swing & Sizzle, visit bluejayjazz.org/tickets. No food or beverages will be sold at the Thursday night concert so guests should bring their own picnic baskets.

DAP will open the Thursday night concert.