Jazz on the Grass – Groove to the Music
Compton residents and visitors from surrounding communities gathered once again on the beautiful, manicured lawn of Compton College. This was an overcast, gray day. Fortunately, the sun came out in the afternoon.
By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
Los Angeles, CA – Compton residents and visitors from surrounding communities gathered once again on the beautiful, manicured lawn of Compton College. This was an overcast, gray day. Fortunately, the sun came out in the afternoon.
On the bright side, the party people assembled for a party with a purpose and for a good cause. Proceeds benefited scholarship funds, youth programs, and community service initiatives.
The grown folks and party people had one thing in common: they united on this nice, cool day for some soothing sounds of smooth jazz, soul, and R&B. Looking at it from another perspective, people gathered for a GT…Good Time. What were you thinking that I meant by a GT (think Red Cups)!!!
The Compton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. presented the 4th Annual Jazz on the Grass! This lively event was held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Lynette Adams-Goodson, President, Compton Alumnae Chapter, welcomed music lovers to this fabulous event. Dr. Keith Curry, President/CEO, Compton College, Barbara Jean Calhoun, Trustee Area 2, and Juanita Doplemore, Trustee Area 4, provided additional remarks.
Aundrae Russell, 102.3FM Radio Free KJLH, returned by popular demand as host/emcee. Guests have come to know that if Aundrae is the emcee, they will be in for an engaging and entertaining show.
DJ Ray of 102.3FM Radio Free KJLH enhanced the show with an eclectic soundtrack to the delight of all in attendance, especially the dancers.
Organizers gave a shoutout to members of other alumnae chapters on site, as well as sorors from the Divine Nine. Acknowledgement was given to the brothas representing their respective fraternities.
Virtuoso violinist Will Roberson kicked things off with an electrifying performance. He opened with “24K Magic,” by Bruno Mars, and “Summer Love,” by Justine Timberlake with Jay-Z. Will continued with two selections that could easily be the theme songs for the festival: “And the Beat Goes On,” by The Whispers, and “Lovely Day,” by Bill Withers. He concluded his set with “Till I Get Back to You,” by Mo Pitney.
Up next was internationally acclaimed saxophonist Adrian Crutchfield. Adrian comes to the festival with an impressive resume, having performed with a who’s who of the entertainment industry across multiple genres of music. Adrian and his tight band performed “Leap,” “Slick,” “Lover,” “Go Girl,” “Sooo Good,” and “Champagne.”
Erin Stevenson, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Erin Stevenson’s set was delayed by technical issues. The crowd and I got a brief glimpse of her undeniable talents: sultry voice, powerful dance moves, and infectious energy. Erin’s career continues to soar to new heights after she left her job at NASA. She opened her set with “Playing with Fire,” “Never Too Much,” “Everlasting Love,” and “Don’t Touch.” Her set ended just as she was getting into her groove.
Mark Allen Felton, “Panther,” is back for a return engagement. Mark prowled around the grounds to serenade the crowd with his soulful sounds. Mark worked the crowd into a frenzy when he held a note for what seemed like forever. This technique is called circular breathing.
Durti Ryce featuring Deron, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Durti Ryce featuring Deron is by far the ultimate Frankie Beverly and Maze tribute band. They continue to leave a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of concertgoers all over Los Angeles, throughout the state of California, and beyond. They thrilled the crowd with “I Don’t Like Being Alone,” “Silky Soul,” “Golden Time of Day,” “We Are One,” and “Before I Let Go,” and other selections from the classic, timeless catalog of hits from Frankie Beverly & Maze. Don’t fret if you missed their performance at Jazz on the Grass. You can catch them at The Taste of Soul on the KJLH Stage on Saturday, October 18, 2025. https://www.lasentinel.net/taste-of-soul-2025 and the Riverside Rhythms and Music Fest, Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Catalina Jazz Club, and their upcoming cruise. https://www.durtiryce.com. Bookmark this website for updates for the Taste of Soul KJLH Stage and sign up for the newsletter to be the first to know about upcoming events, as well as advance notices about concert tickets, etc. https://www.kjlhradio.com.
B.I.G. (Brothers Igniting a Groove), Photo by Ricky Richardson)
B.I.G. (Brothers Igniting A Groove) took the crowd down memory lane with a crowd-pleasing set of old school soul and R&B selections to put the finishing touches on another successful iteration of Jazz on the Grass.
Shout out to Compton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for promising and delivering a joyful celebration of music, culture, and for the unity of the community. This was a truly inspiring celebration.
