This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Long Beach Jazz Festival, as Southern California’s premier jazz festival entertains concertgoers with yet another music-filled weekend Aug. 10, 11 and 12 at the Rainbow Lagoon.
“These past 19 years have been a truly remarkable experience,” said Al Williams, the event’s founder. “The festival has exposed thousands to the world’s greatest jazz musicians and vocalists, and has kept all forms of jazz music alive and available for many generations to enjoy.”
To mark the anniversary, Williams promises to pull out all the stops. The lineup for this year’s festival includes Guitars and Saxes, the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Jazz Attack, Soul Express, Poncho Sanchez, Lalah Hathaway, Ronnie Laws and many others.
Highlights will include a nightly fireworks show and the announcement of the first recipients of the Long Beach Jazz Festival Lifetime Achievement Award and the Al Williams Jazz Heritage Award honoree.
On Friday and Saturday gates open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Showtime on Sunday is at noon with gates opening at 11 a.m. Tickets prices vary.
To purchase tickets, call Rainbow Promotions at (562) 424-0013.
For information, visit www .longbeachjazzfestival.com.
