Tickets always sell out fast for the annual Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. Glad I was finally able to make it this year!

Another day of great food and live music. Cheese, crackers, fried chicken & waffles, and of course a few bottles of wine. Even from a distance, the recently upgraded sound system was just unbelievable. Probably the best outdoor venue acoustics I’ve heard so far.

Hosted by George Lopez, incredible performances by:

  • The Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Scotty Barnhart
  • Richard Bona and Mandekan Cubano
  • Charles Lloyd & The Marvels with special guest Lucinda Williams – Featuring Bill Frisell, Stuart Mathis, Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland
  • The Ramsey Lewis Quintet
  • Jazmine Sullivan
    • One of my favorite singers. Her performance got the crowd going!
  • Tower of Power – 50th Anniversary 2018
    • Amazing soul and funk closing out the show

Howlin Ray’s – 2-4 hour wait for fried chicken…

A sea of glowing bunny ears…

We fancy!