Community Corner

Don't Miss Jazz on the Plazz Tonight!

A total of 11 free jazz concerts will have the Town of Los Gatos and visitors moving and having a good time Wednesday evenings through Aug. 29.

A total of 11 free jazz concerts begin tonight, Wednesday, June 20, at 6:30 p.m., at Town Plaza Park thanks to the successful return of the

Celebrating it's 10th year, Jazz on the Plazz started in 2002 by a group of dedicated volunteers who serve on the umbrella nonprofit organization that also puts together the

to each performance, according to organizers who raise funds throughout the year to pay for the presentations through corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations.

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serves as chairman of the board of directors of Los Gatos Music & Arts.

In many circles, Jazz on the Plazz is considered one of the premier free concert series in the country, according to executive producer Michael Jacobi. 

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The high caliber of Grammy Award winners and jazz legends is unmatched by any other public community based jazz offering, Jacobi noted.

"You can see jazz in a lot of places, but to actually see an established artist, that's something rare," Jacobi added.

Tonight, Jazz on the Plazz opens with international recording artist Freda Payne, who's starred in the award-winning musical Blues In The Night, Jelly's Last Jam and also in the Broadway production of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, Ain't Misbehaving' and the Tony Award winning production of Hallelujah Baby.

On Aug. 8, Terence Blanchard, who's won five Grammys and two Golden Globe nominations, is performing. He's also the writer of the HBO show series Treme.

On July 25, Barbara Morrison is scheduled to perform and she'll also be singing during the Jazz on the Plazz Gala July 24, which is a charity event held at the home of Los Gatos residents Larry Arzie and David Stonesifer.

"I'm in New York once a year and it's always very gratifying that people are not only aware of our event, but I have artist come to me and say, 'We would love to play there because we know how well you take care of your artists,' " Jacobi said.

Jazz on the Plazz continues every Wednesday through Aug. 29, at Town Plaza Park, at the intersection of West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue near the post office. 

Those interested in sponsoring the series should contact Jacobi at Jazzstandards1@aol.com, or 408-483-3353. They can also contact Los Gatos Music & Arts President Teri Hope at terihope@losgatoscoffee.com, or 408-348-7766.

The Jazz on the Plazz series lineup is as follows:

June 20: Freda Payne

June 27: Spider Saloff

July 11: Jamie Davis

July 18: Keith Crossan

July 24: Jazz Gala Fundraiser-Barbara Morrison

July 25: Barbara Morrison

Aug. 1: Akira Tana and The Secret Agent Men

Aug. 8: Terence Blanchard—Jazz Legend Recipient

Aug. 15: Mitch Woods

Aug. 22: Monterey Jazz Festival County High School Allstars

Aug. 29: Paula West

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