Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines Celebrates 20th Anniversary August 17 & 18

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Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines returns to the arty town of Idyllwild Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18 for the Festival's 20th Anniversary. This first-rate musical celebration continues to draw the young – and the young at heart – with an array of world-renowned artists and jazzy newcomers to the mile-high community in the San Jacinto Mountains, just two hours from Los Angeles. Artist highlights this season includes two-time Grammy-Award winning vocalist and pianist Diane Schuur; the Harvey Mason Chameleon Project led by Grammy Award-nominated composure/percussionist Harvey Mason, featuring multiple Grammy Award-nominated pianist/vocalist Patrice Rushen; first-class jazz vocalist Janis Mann; 21-year-old American Idol finalist Casey Abrams and the Southland's own, Euphoria Brass Band. Plus performances from fan favorites such as P.S. Blues Band, Rocky Zharp & The Blues Crackers, Change Required, and many others. Proceeds from the event benefit the Idyllwild Arts Academy.

Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines kicks off its weekend anniversary season Friday, August 16 with an opening night Patron's Dinner gala. "A Taste of Idyllwild" Cocktail Party hosted by Idyllwild Restaurants starts this special evening with a Red Carpet Entrance. The night continues with gourmet food, fine wine and fun, along with music by the Idyllwild Arts Students and Alumni, hosted by KKJZ 88.1FM personality Bubba Jackson, and a special appearance by NBC-4 weatherman/comedian Fritz Coleman. The Patron's Package also includes one ticket for each day of the festival, VIP preferred parking, and reserved seating in the Holmes Amphitheatre ("Main Stage"). A limited number of packages are available at $250 per person and are on sale until Monday, August 12.

All of the Festival events take place on the campus of the Idyllwild Arts Academy, located at 52500 Temecula Road, Idyllwild, CA 92549.

"Summertime is the season for Jazz in Idyllwild!" said Jazz Chair, Marsha Lytle. "Our 20th anniversary line-up is one of the best yet, and features an array of beloved talents and up-and-comers, like Joshua White, the second place winner of the 2012 Thelonious Monk piano competition who will be performing with bassist Rob Thorsen. There's really no place like Idyllwild, with its crisp clean fresh air, camping and hiking trails, relaxing vacation rentals and cabin – and no better place I know to enjoy JAZZ!"

Characterized by propulsive syncopated rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, varying degrees of improvisation, and often deliberate distortions of pitch and timbre, this year's festival once again presents music enthusiasts diverse mix of all things JAZZ at three outdoor venues: Holmes Amphitheatre ("Main Stage"), Stephens Recital Hall ("The Barn"), and The French Quarter, plus the "Festival Marketplace" along winding pathways lined with various art and crafts booths. "Dine in the Pines" offers food, beverages, and alcoholic concoctions for the 21 and over crowd, as well as sponsor and informational booths.

The Festival takes place rain or shine and the artist line-up is subject to change and not in order of appearance.

Holmes Amphitheatre ("Main Stage") – An open-air, tiered, grass covered natural amphitheater. Parachutes are hung from the towering pines to offer shade while still allowing breezes. Master of Ceremonies: Bubba Jackson, KKJZ 88.1FM

Saturday – 10:30 a.m, to 6:00 p.m.

Paul Carmen Quarket+1, the Ray Goren Band, Diane Schuur, the Harvey Mason Chameleon Project

(featuring Harvey Mason, Patrice Rushen, Darryl Jones, Bill Summers, and Kamasi Washington), John Daversa Sextet

Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

H.B. Barnum Gospel, Casey Abrams, Izzy Chait, Amina Figarova, Euphoria Brass Band

Stephens Hall ("The Barn") – Indoor seating, overflow seating on the covered patio, a perfect intimate spot for smaller band performances. Masters of Ceremonies, Saturday Robin Adler and Sunday Sandii Castleberry

Saturday – 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Trio HotClub, Janis Mann, Denise Donatelli, Clayton Cameron's Clifford Brown-Max Roach Project,

Tim Weisberg & Friends (David Derge, Chuck Alvarez, David Hughes)

Sunday – 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Trio HotClub, Robin Adler, Billy Valentine, Mark Winkler, Rob Thorsen Trio featuring Josh White

The French Quarter – A New Orleans-style open-air bistro for dancing, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, waitress service. Master of Ceremonies: Rocky Zharp

Saturday – 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

P.S. Blues Band, Rocky Zharp & The Blues Crackers, The Chuck Alvarez Band, Change Required

Sunday – 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Rocky Zharp & The Blues Crackers, Euphoria Brass Band, P.S. Blues Band, The BoneThumpers

**For safety and security reasons: There is no smoking on Festival grounds except in designated smoking areas. NO audio recording devices, video cameras or filming of the event is permitted. NO coolers, picnic baskets or glass containers, alcoholic beverages, food or drink (except for unopened sealed water containers), pets (except for service dogs), lawn chairs with backs higher than 32", sun canopies, or large sun hats are allowed. Due to the uneven terrain, flip-flops and high heels are NOT recommended.

The 20th annual "Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines" is sponsored by the Idyllwild Town Crier, Riverside County Board of Supervisors, Wells Fargo, Café Aroma, and supporting sponsors Idyllwild Inn, Idyllwild Pharmacy, Goose Island – Chicago's Craft Beer, Idyllwild Vacation Rentals, Fern Creek Medical Center, Sacco Dining, Mary Austin "Scholarships & Grants", Quiet Creek Vacation Rentals, Cardiff Limousine & Transportation, Palm Springs Subaru, Equity Lifestyle Properties: Thousand Trails and Encore, Jazzercise, BBVA Compass, ACE Hardware, Sante D'Or Animal Adoption Center (Los Angeles), Drs. Patricia James and David Mantik, Manny and Linda Rider. Media partners include KCET, KJAZZ 102.3, 101.3 The Mix KATY-FM, Money Radio 1200, Team 1010 Sports-KXPS SportsRadio, EZ-103.1, The Sun Runner magazine and Palm Springs Life.

The event is produced by the Associates of Idyllwild Arts Foundation. Marsha Lytle is Jazz Chair, Bubba Jackson is Artistic Director; website is serviced by Omni-Web with publicity and media relations provided by Regina Davis for Davis & Associates Public Relations and social media posts by Janice Rhoshalle Littlejohn.

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