*(Long Beach, CA) — Summer is in full swing. The bases are fully loaded with a plethora of outdoor concerts, cultural events, and festivals. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the most highly anticipated event of the summer has returned to Houghton Park.
I can’t contain my excitement for being able to attend the 13th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival, held on Saturday, August 3, 2024. The festival was held at Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Avenue, from 2 to 7pm.
The Uptown Jazz Festival is a free concert and an annual tradition at Houghton Park in North Long Beach. The festival attracts thousands of jazz enthusiasts and musicophiles from across the city and from Southern California. The festival was a great outing for local families to come out to enjoy a day of family-friendly, fun activities without spending a lot of money. Attendees enjoyed a kid’s zone, a variety of vendors and community resources booths, food trucks and food vendors, as well as a beer garden.
The large diverse crowd gathered to enjoy a free community concert. This year’s stellar lineup featured the talents of Ryck Jane, Katalyst, Angelo Pagan Y La Candela, and headlined by BJ The Chicago Kid.
“Uptown Jazz Festival, a beloved summer event and North Long Beach tradition, is back, with its incredible lineup of music and entertainment,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “Now in its 13th year, festivalgoers can look forward to an afternoon filled with soulful melodies, delicious food, and drinks, family-friendly activities, and more.”
“The 13th Annual Uptown Long Beach Jazz Festival is more than a showcase of incredible music and entertainment; it’s a celebration of our vibrant and diverse community,” Ninth District Councilmember Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie said in a statement. “As we come together for this special event, I’m thrilled to host my second year a look forward to seeing many new and familiar faces. This year’s fantastic lineup continues to highlight amazing talent, with something for everyone!”
Organizers couldn’t have asked for better weather. The forecast was sunny with a sprinkle or two of laughter, smiles, and good conversations.
The weather forecast further stated that there was a 100% chance of everyone having a good time. The winds caused people to dance and sway to the eclectic soundtrack performed by the incredible, talented musicians.
The official weather forecast was announced on KCAL News, on August 1. Meteorologist Dani Ruberti gave a fabulous festival forecast as well as a Shameless Plug for the 13th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival.
DJ Mr. Quick was back on the ones and twos. This is DJ Mr. Quick’s 13th year at the festival. DJ Mr. Quick entertained the feel-good people, aka, grown folks with an array of funky remixes, old-school classics as well as tracks from today charts.
Ryck Jane is an in-demand trumpeter, rapper, producer, and singer. Ryck Jane is a Hip-Hop artist based in Los Angeles. She combines soulful vibes and hard-core beats to convey a unique sound. The crowd was vibing throughout her opening set.
The band took it up a notch on “Raise the Bar,” “For the Love,” “You Gone Learn Today,” “Bitter,” “No Problems,” and “Bam Bam (Ryde or Die). Ryck Jane performed remixes of other artists “Lighters Up,” Crush on You” by Lil Kim, “Lost Ones” by Lauren Hill as well as “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley. Ryck Jane continued with “Come Together” a classic, relevant, and timeless song by The Beatles, and concluded her set with “You Already Know.”
The tight nine-piece ensemble Katalyst Collective from Inglewood showcases an eclectic mix of experimental jazz. Katalyst had the crowd grooving during their captivating performance.
Their set consisted of the tracks “Whatsaname,” Freehand,” “BBB,” Fitted,” and “Leimert Days.”
The band consisted of Brian Hargrove on keyboards, David Otis-saxophone, Ahmad Dubose Dawson on percussions, Corbin Jones on bass and Christian Euman on drums.
Some like it hot! Musically that is. Angelo Pagan Y La Candela brought on the heat with a fiery set of Latin Jazz and salsa to the delight of the salseros on the premises busting a move to the contagious, infectious rhythms.
The salseros were dancing to the following tracks “Para Celebrar,” “Déjame Soñar,” “Xiomara,” “Baila Que Baila,” “El Ratón,” and “Pa la Voy,” to name a few.
Grammy-nominated R&B, soul singer & songwriter BJ The Chicago Kid closed out another successful iteration of the Uptown Jazz Festival. He left an indelible mark on the hearts of festival goers as he took them on a musical journey through his catalog of hits.
The 13th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival is presented in partnership with the Offices of Vice Mayor Cindy Allen, Councilmembers Mary Zendejas, Kristina Duggan, Megan Kerr, Suely ARA, Roberto Uranga, and Al Austin, as well as the current list of sponsors including Port of Long Beach, Long Beach Airport, Long Beach City College, EKA Government Advocacy, Molina Healthcare of California, LAZ Parking, Long Beach convention and Visitors Bureau, Water Replenishment District, Long Beach Firefighters Local 372, Signal Hill Petroleum, Long Beach Police Officers Association, IBEW Local 47, SEIU Local 721, SEIU Local 2015, Westland/Amusement Industry, LiUNA, Richard Spurling, California Faculty Association, and California Resource Center.
Ricky Richardson is a Southern California-based writer, music reviewer, and photographer. Contact him via: liltampared@netzero.net
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