Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Dave Koz Makes Surprise Appearance at KSBR Birthday Bash Jazz Festival

More than 30 musicians helped local college station raise money on
Memorial Day Weekend

Posted By CotoBuzz


 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA –Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz, along with six other surprise all-stars, graced the stage at the 2013 KSBR Birthday Bash Jazz Festival and Taste of the Bash.  Koz, a six time Grammy-nominated contemporary jazz saxophonist surprised roughly 3,000 jazz fans gathered Sunday, May 26 on the Village Green of Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo. .

Dave Koz, Paul Brown, Elan Trotman and Boney James: Photographer: Steve Wylie

This year’s Bash was the 25th edition of what has become the largest fundraising event for Saddleback College Radio Station KSBR (88.5 FM), and it also celebrated the 35th anniversary of the station’s jazz programming

Other surprise performers included Peter White, Rick Braun, Boney James, Nick Colionne, Michael Lington, and Eric Darius. Altogether, more than 30 artists appeared at this year’s event, including guitarists Paul Brown and Chris Standring; sax players Jackiem Joyner, Jeff Kashiwa, Elan Trotman, and Grace Kelly; trumpeter Greg Adams; vocalists 



Spencer Day and Sara Gazarek; bass players Brian Bromberg and Max Bennett; and keyboardists Keiko Matsui and Brian Simpson. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero once again served as the event’s Music Director.


“What makes the KSBR Birthday Bash unique is that many of the performers are bandleaders in their own right, but on this day, everyone plays on each other's songs in various all-star configurations, making each Bash a once-in-a-lifetime experience for both the artists and the audience,” according to Saddleback College Director of Broadcasting Terry Wedel.  The concert is co-sponsored by the City of Mission Viejo.

The second annual Taste of the Bash, a wildly successful element introduced last year, featured restaurants showing off their finest creations. Guests of the event were treated to tastes from restaurants from all over Orange County.  From Mission Viejo, California Pizza Kitchen, Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor, butcher/grocer The Meat House, Rubios and Einstein Bros Bagels; from the City of Orange, Acapulco Restaurant; from Laguna Niguel Bistro K and Powell’s Sweet Shoppe; from Lake Forest Slater’s 50/50;  Huntington Beach’s 2nd Floor Restaurant; from San Juan Capistrano A’s Burgers and Sundried Tomato; Citrus Fresh Grill at the Renaissance Sports Club in Aliso Viejo; Something Special Catering and Southern California Snowie from Rancho Santa Margarita, and from Ladera Ranch Casa Ranchero and Ollie and Jax Restaurants.  Wineries on hand were San Juan Capistrano’s Hamilton Oaks Vineyards and Trinchero Family Estates from Napa Valley.  The crowd also enjoyed beers from Hangar 24 and Cismontane.

Bringing a more artistic touch to the event this year was Tom Clark, a visual artist who paints live at events across the US and a few other countries. He painted two 8'x10' paintings from inspiration received from the music at the event.  Those pieces were then donated to a silent auction to help raise money for the nonprofit  radio station.

Memorable musical moments of the 2013 Bash included an 8-piece all-star horn section on the opening number “Put It Where You Want It”; Tony Guerrero and Greg Vail teaming up for the song, "Land of Make Believe", a Chuck Mangione favorite that transitioned into “America the Beautiful,”  (a fitting tribute celebrating Memorial Day); Dave Koz hitting the stage with his song "Anything's Possible" as Keiko Matsui and Brian Simpson traded off solos using the same keyboard;  Paul Brown's song “24/7” had Boney James, Dave Koz and Élan Trotman on sax and Brian Bromberg on bass; Peter White and Boney James playing anamazing version of Burt Bacharach's "Walk On By," which Peter and Boney recorded years ago; Boney James had his pal Rick Braun join him along with Tony Guerrero, Keiko Matsui and others for a rousing rendition of his latest release "Batacuda"; first time Basher Eric Darius had the crowd on their feet with his "Goin' All Out"; and the whole band came on stage to close the show with a memorable performance of James Brown's "I Feel Good" with Aubrey Logan and Bill Cantos on vocals. 

The event included a special tribute to Veterans.  The march of the colors was presented by the Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division Color Guard.  Headquarters Battalion is the adopted unit of the City of Mission Viejo and has approximately 1600 Marines and Sailors that deploy around the world in support of our nation.  The National Anthem was sung by recent NBC’s “The Voice” contestant Luke Edgemon.

Platinum and Premium Gold VIP guests were treated to a fine dining experience by Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Anaheim, Vintage Steak House in San Juan Capistrano, Savannah Chop House in Laguna Niguel, Delizie’s Restaurante in Mission Viejo, and The Ranch Sports Grill in Ladera Ranch with desserts provided by Tommy Bahama in Newport Beach, Pinkiwi Culinary Production and MegaLoad Chocolates. It’s a Grind Coffee in Mission Viejo served up coffee for the crowd and VIP’s.  La Pan’s Catering, Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurant and Two Guys Grilling provided a culinary experience for the Bash All-Stars and their families backstage.   The artists were also treated to “thank you” gift bags with items generously donated by Tommy Bahamas.

Other major sponsors of the event were The City of Mission Viejo, Kaiser Permanente, Norm Reeves Acura, CLI-Worldwide (formerly Blue Moon Limo), Ainsworth Design, Ben’s Professional Electrical Services, Rancho Mission Viejo, Jim’s Music Center, Bennett Productions Unlimited, Omega Events, Cox Communications, Signs Plus, Laguna Beach Festival of Arts, Firebrand Media, Brian and Jean Thompson, Steven and Nancy Dixon and OC Buzz.

Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community. Having served more than 500,00 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers over 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals.  For more information, please visit www.saddleback.edu and for Fine Arts information, please visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.


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