[1]

September 9 is the date for the Third Annual Jazz 88 Ocean Beach Jazz Festival. It will be a day-long celebration of straight-ahead jazz and blues, caressed by the sun, against the background of the magnificent Pacific Ocean.

The lineup is stellar, starting with the Jazz 88 All-Star band, who bring a full sound to the stage and a musical camaraderie that comes from years of working together. The group includes by Jazz 88’s Percussive Profiles host Barry Farrar, Jr. on drums, trumpeter Steve Ebner, and tenor saxophonist Bob Campbell. the All Stars The rhythm section features one of San Diego finest pianists, Mikan Zlatkovich, as well as bassist Brian McConnell.

Next up is Hammond B-3 virtuoso, Joey DeFrancesco, whose dazzling facility has been praised by guitar great Pat Martino, himself a veteran of many classic B-3 sessions. Combining monstrous chops with a flair for showmanship and an unquenchable urge to burn, DeFrancesco almost single-handedly put the B-3 back in the public eye.

Dave Pike is a legendary vibes player, who literally came from the hey day of jazz on the popular front. Pike, who has played with the iconic Herbie Mann and Ornette Coleman, also has a tremendous reputation for creativity and unique invention, making every performance a one-of-a-kind experience. As a special treat, Dave is bringing New Orleans guitarist, Mundell Lowe, whose career inclues playing with Jazz icon, Sarah Vaughn.

To bring on the Blues, the Festival is proud to present Duke Robillard, whom the W.C. Handy Awards named “Best Blues Guitarist” in 2000 and 2001. B.B. King said Duke is “one of the great players,” and the Houston Post called him “one of God’s guitarists.” The New York Times says Robillard is “a soloist of stunning force and originality.” He is, in fact, a complete artist at the height of his power.

The headliner is Poncho Sanchez, who as leader of the most popular Latin jazz group in the world today, lets his congas and seasoned ensemble tell phenomenal stories. Live in concert or on recordings, they spin vivacious tales that pay homage to the glories of a half-century tradition that was born when Afro-Cuban rhythms merged with bebop. Behind the choice of every song, album title, or guest artist, there’s a story Poncho Sanchez delights in telling.

This year, Jazz 88 is keeping the tradition of broadcasting the entire Festival, live, on its sister station, WWOZ in New Orleans. The connection forged between the two stations in 2005 is stronger than ever, as the interest in Jazz around the world continues to grow.

Further information and tickets are available at [2] OBJazz.org.