Jazz festival gears up for day of music

Under the sun, the music shines. Under the stars, the music twinkles.

Day and night, the music swings.

That's the promise of Saturday's nine-hour, 18th annual Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz and R&B Festival at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater.

Swelling this year's lineup: rhythm and blues belter Will Downing, sax man Euge Groove, ex-Tower of Power lead vocalist Lenny Williams, funk/jazz fusion outfit Fattburger, smooth jazz saxophonist Everette Harp and Karen Briggs' Soulchestra with Lao Tizer.

"Our festival continues to gain momentum," says producer Michael Schivo. "It now ranks with the likes of all first-rate European and big-city U.S.A. spring and summer music festivals, perhaps more so because Las Vegas is truly a one-of-a-kind city."

This year's fest will take a timeout to honor Las Vegas' jazz radio legend Rosetta Hines, aka, the Rose. Celebrating 42 years as a music director and on-air personality -- many in Detroit, where she was voted the No. 1 DJ in 1982 -- she currently streams online at www.Hinesite5.com. In tribute to Hines, proclamations will be read from the offices of Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly and Sen. Harry Reid, as well as a letter from President Barack Obama.

"She is one of the true pioneers of traditional and smooth jazz," Schivo says. "She enhanced the careers of many legendary jazz performers. ... Her merits are legendary."

Schivo also says that comment cards from attendees at last year's event were taken into consideration for this year's blowout, and amenities have been improved, including more speakers and restrooms.

"Last year's festival," Schivo added, "was an extreme party filled with the groove that it takes to be crowned the biggest and liveliest jazz party festival in the West."

Expect to swing under sunlight and starlight.

Contact reporter Steve Bornfeld at sbornfeld@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0256.