2023 Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival Was One for The Ages
One of Saturday’s highlights was hands-down Samara Joy, the young jazz phenom who took home the Best New Artist Grammy earlier this year. She sang songs from her new album “Linger Awhile,” and had the crowd wanting her to do exactly that; she received a rousing ovation after her set. When she sang a Portuguese number and showcased her original songwriting.
By Cameron Buford
This year’s line-up at the Hollywood Bowl’s annual Jazz Festival was an eclectic treat for both the eyes and ears. The Hollywood Bowl is an iconic concert venue, and the production value was excellent, featuring a rotating stage that provided a seamless transition between acts and dazzling light effects during the night-time performances.
Saturday’s scheduled acts included Bell Biv DeVoe, Kamasi Washington, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Samara Joy, Aziza, Poncho Sanchez, Lionel Loueke, and Gretchen Parlato,
Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble at UCLA and the LACHSA Jazz.
The crowds on Sunday were ready to hear from West Coast Get Down, Leon Bridges, Raphael Saadiq, Ledisi, Digable Planets, The Soul Rebels, Big Freedia, Andrew Gouché & Prayze Connection, Boukman Eksperyans, Butcher Brown, The Cardinal Divas of SC, LAUSD Beyond the Bell All District Jazz Big Band with special guest Charlie Young.
Arsenio Hall returned to host the festivals on both nights, keeping the energy high and inserting his signature quips while introducing the upcoming bands. Understanding that bringing your food and drinks to the iconic venue is not only allowed, but it is also encouraged. This unique outdoor “picnic” atmosphere that is unrivaled and also allows the audience to take full advantage of the pleasant Southern California weather.
One of Saturday’s highlights was hands-down Samara Joy, the young jazz phenom who took home the Best New Artist Grammy earlier this year. She sang songs from her new album “Linger Awhile,” and had the crowd wanting her to do exactly that; she received a rousing ovation after her set. When she sang a Portuguese number and showcased her original songwriting.
St. Paul & The Broken Bones, an American eight-piece soul band based in Birmingham, Alabama, had the unenviable task of following Joy’s set. Though the crowd seemed to wane after Joy wrapped, the stage presence of their lead singer demanded the crowd’s attention. Paul Janeway showed off his dramatic stage presence, explosive showmanship, and electrifying vocals to recapture their attention to win them over.
His memorable performance at one point had him falling and crawling, shoeless, to the edge of the stage. Those antics came after he had already ventured deep into the stands, climbed up on a structure, and had a fan attempting to grab onto him, much to the crowd’s delight. She was quickly rushed off of him by a nearby security guard.
The fabled Haitian band Boukman Eksperyans brought more cultural vibes to the weekend, which featured acts from Benin and the Soul Rebels, with Big Freedia delivering some New Orleans flavor. Latin Jazz conguero Poncho Sanchez had the crowd dancing in the aisles, and there was Latin flare on Sunday, which kept the audience moving and grooving with the music.
This 43rd Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl was another great concert for the ages, for all those in attendance. The collaboration of curators Herbie Hancock and Kamasi Washington sent music fans taping their toes and singing songs while planning their next visit to the historically majestic venue.
