Jazz in the Park offers array of jazz-flavored acts, and all for free

Is it the music? The surroundings? The fact that it’s free?

Or is it, maybe, a synergistic meshing of all these qualities that makes Clark County Parks and Recreation’s Jazz in the Park concert series a perennial springtime entertainment favorite for Southern Nevadans?

This season’s series begins Saturday with a performance by Selina Albright, Jackiem Joyner and Steve Oliver and then segues into shows by Elan Trotman on May 16, Marc Antoine on May 23, Spyro Gyra on May 30 and the Brubeck Brothers Quartet on June 6.

All of the concerts take place at the Clark County Government Center amphitheater, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway. Seating opens at 6 p.m. and performances begin at 7 p.m. Admission and parking both are free. For more information, call 702-455-8200.

This year’s shows mark the series’ 26th year, said Brian Saliba, Clark County Parks and Recreation program supervisor for special events, adding that each year’s roster of acts is designed to touch all of the bases jazz fans desire.

In booking acts each year, the goal is to “keep it at a certain caliber of talent,” he said. So, this season’s performers pack musical portfolios that include multiple No. 1 or Top 10 chart rankings, one Latin Grammy win and, in one case, decades of impressive longevity.

In addition, Saliba said, the goal is to offer music fans here acts that don’t hit the Las Vegas market very often. “I’m trying to stay away from acts that have played The Smith Center and other jazz festivals here in the market. I’m just trying to mix it up.”

All of that probably has helped to give Jazz in the Park what Saliba calls “a good, strong following” from year to year.

“As long as I can offer top-quality or top-caliber entertainment, I know we’re going to do well,” he said.

Saliba said each show in the series typically draws 2,000 to 3,000 guests.

“I think you get a lot of people looking for quality community programming,” he said, although, for some, the specific acts that are playing even may be “secondary.”

For those fans, “it’s more about the ambience and atmosphere,” Saliba said. “But, then, on the other hand, you have about 50 percent die-hard jazz fans, and they’re not missing any of these because they don’t get it as often in this market.”

This year’s season kicks off Saturday with a performance by vocalist/songwriter Albright who, Saliba said, has “kind of put together a power trio, if you will.”

Joyner “is pretty well-known in the contemporary jazz scene, and on his own, as a soloist, he’s got a few No. 1s and a couple of Top 3s on the Billboard charts,” he noted. “Then, they’ve added Steve Oliver, a very well-respected guitarist in the jazz world. He’s more smooth, funky, soulful and on his own has a couple of No. 1 hits as well. So the three of them together, that’s going to be an amazing show.”

Trotman, who will perform May 16, is “probably the youngest and newest to the scene we have on our series,” Saliba said. “He’s already earned a few Billboard singles in the Top 25, but he’s also worked with Rihanna. He’s on the upswing, for sure.”

Jazz fusion guitarist Antoine, who plays May 23, has scored No. 1 hits on the Radio &Records contemporary jazz charts and has topped Billboard charts, Saliba said. Antoine also was chosen Best New Artist in 1995 by Radio &Records and earned a Latin Grammy in 2005.

Jazz in the Park audience favorite Spyro Gyra returns to the festival on May 30 as the series’ de facto senior statesmen.

“These guys have done 30 studio albums,” Saliba said. “They have numerous jazz albums of the year and have sold over 10 million records and have played over 5,000 shows on five continents. These guys are as seasoned as seasoned gets.”

The series concludes on June 6 with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet featuring jazz great Dave Brubeck’s sons, Dan Brubeck on drums and Chris Brubeck on bass and trombone.

“This act is a brand new one for me, and it’s exciting for the series,” Saliba said. “Their family is one of the most accomplished families, especially in the world of jazz, in the world. That’s one that’s going to be exciting this year.”

Saliba said that, because of its longevity and the ambience of the venue, selling Jazz in the Park to potential performers isn’t difficult.

“Pretty much, they know it’s legit, and I’m actually getting calls saying, ‘We want to get (on) this year.’ It’s kind of nice. This is well-attended, and the venue is beautiful and it’s outdoors, which is great, and it’s on the grass.”

The same characteristics make it fun for audience members, who, Saliba said, are welcome to bring low-backed chairs and blankets, as well as coolers (but no glass). For guests who prefer to not pack in, food and drink vendors will be available during shows.

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280 or follow @JJPrzybys on Twitter.