By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Editor
It was three days of music – and so much more.
The energy at this year’s Blue Jay Jazz Festival was palpable, with audience members grooving in their seats, filling the dance floor and even singing along.
After the scholarship winners joined DAP, many audience members could not stay in their seats but took to the dance floor.
The festival began on Thursday, Aug. 21 with the music of DAP – Digital Audio Projekt – which features the mountain’s own Bruce Rubio on saxophone and aerophone, Harold Allen Jr. on drums and André Berry on bass. Their repertoire ranged from Jimmy Ruffin’s “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” to Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry.”
DAP was then joined by this year’s Future Generation Jazz Scholars – Jaered Angel, Boedy Reisner, Isaiah Rodriguez, Jaden Martinez, Leena Butler and Madison Skidmore.
Following a brief intermission, the students were awarded their scholarships by San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Ted Alejandre. He was joined by Dr. Paul Sevillano, the superintendent of the Rim of the World Unified School District; Dr. Hugh Bialecki, president of the Blue Jay Jazz Foundation; and Blue Jay Jazz Foundation Director Lori Semeniuk.
Reflecting on the students’ performance, Dr. Sevillano said that “you can see the talent our teachers bring out in our students.”
Alejandre asked the students what music means to them.
“Music has become my entire life,” said senior Boedy Reisner. Junior Jaden Martinez noted he started playing saxophone in sixth grade. “I want to study music in college,” he said. Senior Isaiah Rodriguez started playing trumpet in fourth grade because, he said, “I was bored.” And then in his freshman year, “I met the band director who inspired me.” And senior Leena Butler – who won the Gloria Loring award – said she has been singing her whole life. “Music has saved me from dark places.”
Rim High graduate Ara Tokatlian joined Ms. Monet on stage.
“This is our future,” Dr. Bialecki said as he congratulated the students.
“You have had some spicy appetizers,” emcee Gloria Loring told the large crowd at Tavern Bay Beach Club. “Now it’s time for the main course.”
With that, the stage lit up with Ms. Monet and Friends. Those friends included Lake Arrowhead resident George Whitty on keyboard. As soon as Ms. Monet began singing, folks flooded the dance area in front of the stage.
And then she said she had a surprise guest – “one of your own!” Rim High graduate Ara Tokatlian took the stage, adding his sax to the musical mix. As he turned to leave the stage after the one song, Ms. Monet called him back to keep playing with her.
Ms. Monet took the audience on a musical journey through her life, singing a medley of songs from singers she has sung with: Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, Huey Lewis and the News, Kenny Loggins.
The festival audience had not heard the last of Ara Tokatlian. He and his quintet – who have been together for about a year – were the opening act on Friday, Aug. 22. The five students from Riverside City College opened with an original composition by Tokatlian about the Armenian sun god. They stunned the audience with their professionalism and musical abilities.
Friday’s headliner was Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band. Due to health issues, Goodwin was unable to be at the festival but his band carried on, asking for prayers and good thoughts for him. They played a wide variety of styles, including the music of Miles Davis and BB King, ending with Goodwin’s arrangement of “Summertime,” sung by the band’s vocalist and Goodwin’s wife, Vangie Gunn.
The festival then moved from Tavern Bay Beach Club to the Lake Arrowhead Resort on Saturday, Aug. 23. The plans called for the LA Jazz Salon – featuring jazz pianist Tamir Hendelman – to perform outdoors at the Resort but thunderstorms sent the festival indoors to the ballroom. The Blue Jay Jazz Foundation expressed its thanks to the Resort for donating the use of the space and enabling them to change plans so quickly.
The quartet – which included Lake Arrowhead resident drummer Judd Pillot – had everyone tapping their toes as they played songs from the Great American Songbook. They were joined by singer Eddie Wakes, whose velvety baritone drew thunderous applause from the audience.
It was the Salon’s rendition of Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable” that brought down the house, with everyone springing to their feet in a standing ovation.
For more information on the Blue Jay Jazz Foundation and to revisit this year’s festival and ones from past years, visit bluejayjazz.org.
The LA Jazz Salon with vocalist Eddie Wakes brought the house down with their rendition of “Unforgettable.”