Adopted by Jazz, #afterthebreak…
36th Anniversary Playboy Jazz Festival – Day 1 @
Hollywood Bowl (06/14/14)
If you came across me during the work day, you’d overhear me saying that I need a good batch of Jazz in my life. Hallowed out plans to visit the Baked Potato a few blocks away from the office kept falling apart easily. What? I get easily distracted. I woke up that Saturday morning debating whether to visit the Hollywood Bowl for the 36th Playboy Jazz Festival featuring B4M Favorite — Allen Stone.
The prices had dropped dramatically on StubHub (who we’re not surprisingly sponsored by…seeing how much I use the service) that $20 bucks for a decent seat was extremely hard to turn down. Had a few hours before I had to meet up with my friends for Saturday Night poker, so I said, “What the hell? Let’s do it!” The Bowl is five minutes away from his place. A little show & some fun. Perfect Saturday night combo.
And Allen Stone was the highlight of my time there. Well, not really. The major highlight was being adopted as honorable member of the row behind me. The second I sat down they were like, “You’re here by yourself hun? Here have some food. Are you hungry?” Then imagine me stammering like a fool. Rosa, the leader of the pack, was from Inglewood and took care of me so well as I enjoyed a full dose of classical jazz.
This was the first time I ever saw the Hollywood Bowl as a picnic party then as a uptight sold out concert. Everyone, almost a packed house, walked around & chatting with random rows…eating pre-made meals / fast food from the baskets / Tupperware. Can’t recommend how cool everyone was. Some of the patrons, like Rosa, had been coming for 20+ years. I can see why.
There was no waiting time in between acts. They spun the stage around and the band kept playing on. Allen Stone was mid-carder with Jamie Cullum as the headliner. Allen did what Allen does, turn the Bowl into a freaky soul fest. No act moved the crowd more than Allen Stone. He performed a collection of new & old staples — “Momma Gonna Punish You”, “Say So”, “Voodoo”, “Million”, etc. He had the distracted crowd in the palm of his hand as he was wrapping up “Unaware”. Hitting those vicious high notes that are just ear perking. Even George Lopez came out from backstage to groove afterwards.
[That was Allen Stone’s “Million”]
Was disappointed Mr. Stone didn’t perform a cover of Bob Marley’s “Is This Love?” or something of the sort. Consider me jaded. Sorry. He has so many weapons and the ones he pulled out certainly did the trick. The audience loved him. I was grinning with an expression saying: “Damn right, you do”.
Rest of the time I was just grooving to the various acts, chatting with my row-family, taking pictures, getting a much needed suntan. They were surprised I left so early. My work was done, for now. Got my prescription of much needed Jazz & Allen Stone. I’ll be good for a few months…at least.