By Mary-Justine Lanyon
From the first note played by 6 Beats Apart at the Blue Jay Jazz Festival on Aug. 27, the throng of music lovers grooved to the beat.
The singers in Tierra Legacy danced their way through the show. They were joined by a large crowd on the dance floor.
Following their opening set, the band was joined on stage by the six musicians named as Future Generation Jazz scholars: Jaden Martinez, baritone sax; Jacob Heil, guitar; Brenden Watson, alto sax; Vicente Ruvalcaba, tenor sax; Colin Hobson, trumpet; and Kaydin Lowery, trombone.
The students were congratulated by Ted Alejandre, the San Bernardino County superintendent of schools. “It is so wonderful to see the community support music. Music teachers tell me they are impressed by their students, not only musically but academically.”
He was joined on stage by Dr. Paul Sevillano, the Rim of the World Unified School District superintendent. “Don’t we have a wonderful mountain community?” he asked. “We have some of the most talented students this year and we have the best music teachers.” To the students Dr. Sevillano said, “You found your passion. Go out and achieve your goals.”
With that, the students joined 6 Beats Apart on stage and wowed the crowd with their musical expertise.
The evening’s headliner was the Carl Verheyen Band, which drew a number of dancers to the dance floor. Verheyen invited local songstress Gloria Loring to the stage to sing with the band’s vocalist, Hollye Tucker.
Blue Jay Jazz Foundation President Hugh Bialecki with his wife, Lori Semenick, welcomed guests to the Festival. (Photo by Douglas W. Motley)
Friday’s concert got off to a rousing start with the Ellis Hall Group. The big surprise for the large crowd was the addition of local favorite George Whitty on keys. But that was not all – Hall, known as the “Ambassador of Soul,” called another local favorite, Bruce Rubio, to the stage with his saxophone. And then the topper was when Gloria Loring sang “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” with the band.
A fact unknown to most of the Festival audience is that Hall was born with a form of congenital glaucoma and was blind by the age of 18. Knowing he would lose his vision, he practiced his instruments in the dark. He is known for his five-octave range, a fact commented on by one audience member.
The evening could have ended right then but it continued with the amazing stylings of Tierra Legacy. Lake Arrowhead resident David Salas leads the band, started by his late father. Their high-energy Latin sounds drew a huge crowd to the dance floor – so big that some folks were dancing between the tables. Even the singers were moving to the grooving on stage.
DAP – Bruce Rubio, Andre Berry and Harold Allen Jr. – delighted the crowd at the San Moritz Lodge.
Saturday’s concert moved the Festival to the San Moritz Lodge in Crestline, which was packed to the gills with jazz lovers.
Bruce Rubio once again thrilled music lovers with his sax as part of DAP – Digital Audio Projekt. He was joined by bassist Andre Berry and drummer Harold Allen Jr. Rubio pointed out their shirts, which bore a message important to the group: Unity – One Love – Peace. They delighted the crowd with their version of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.”
Gloria Loring then introduced the winner of her vocal scholarship: Future Generation Jazz scholar Maya Anossov. Loring noted that they had received several tapes from applicants but there was one clear winner. When Maya sang “Misty,” it was apparent to the crowd why she had received the honor.
Taking to stage then was the last band of the Festival: the Jazz Salon All Stars featuring vocalist Niki Haris. Haris is a true performer, delighted the crowd with some of her antics, including sitting on one lucky man’s lap. She had Maya sing with her on one song, telling the crowd that “this is the future.” And to Maya she said, “Let your light shine.”
There was one more surprise for the jazz lovers. Haris called Loring up to the stage and the two sang “Yesterday” in an arrangement that included beautiful harmonies.
Maya Anossov, the winner of the Gloria Loring vocal scholarship, shared her beautiful voice with the Festival audience.
Not willing to let the Jazz Salon and Haris pack up, the audience called for an encore. They complied with “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” a song that brought tears to the eyes of many.
Dr. Hugh Bialecki, the president of the Blue Jay Jazz Foundation, was on site to welcome the guests to all three concerts. “Music is the love of my life and so is developing the next generation of musical artists in order to keep music in the school system,” he said.
Editor’s note: Senior Writer Douglas W. Motley contributed to this article.