Playboy Jazz Festival History and Highlights

Playboy Jazz Festival Highlights

2006

Jamie Cullum debuts in stand-out performance: In a sensational Festival debut, young British singer and pianist Jamie Cullum wowed the crowd with his artistic vocals and exuberance. He alternately sprinted across the stage and enthusiastically jumped on the piano in a stand-out performance that left the audience begging for more.

Jazz greats George Duke and Stanley Clarke reunite for Clarke-Duke Project: Marking their first extended tour together since 1990, jazz greats George Duke and Stanley Clarke rocked the house when they came together for a special performance as the Clarke-Duke Project. This was only the second time the famed keyboardist and the acclaimed electric bassist performed together on the Playboy stage, showcasing the unique talents that have made them both Grammy-winning artists and Festival favorites.

McCoy Tyner and his Trio team with Lula Washington Dance Theater for special collaboration: The renowned McCoy Tyner Trio and the acclaimed Lula Washington Dance Theater teamed up together for a special collaboration featuring the Trio's music and dazzling dancers from Washington's group. Their performance, the Festival's first-ever presentation of a modern music and dance partnership, was a hit with critics and fans alike, and also marked Washington's Festival debut as well as her first appearance together with Tyner on the Playboy stage.
 
2005

Festival favorite George Benson returns and ignites the crowd: Guitar legend and eight-time Grammy winner George Benson returned to the festival, giving an electrifying performance that had the crowd on its feet and dancing in the aisles from the minute he took the stage to his final riff. Benson demonstrated the vocal prowess and riveting guitar playing that has won him an international fan base and made him a festival favorite.

daKAH, the world's biggest hip-hop orchestra, debuts and dazzles festival-goers: Featuring more than 60 performers live onstage, the multi-cultural ensemble covered the Hollywood Bowl's entire turntable and then some, marking the first time such a huge group has ever performed at the festival. Their genre-bending performance—which included dancers, rappers and DJs—and multi-ethnic urban sound impressed the crowd, inspiring raucous applause.

A Tribute to the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra legacy featuring the legendary Dee Dee Bridgewater and famed trumpeter Jon Faddis touches the audience: Renowned vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and legendary trumpeter Jon Faddis led an all-star group of musicians in a spectacular tribute to the influential big band. But the real highlight came when Dee Dee Bridgewater walked onstage singing the classic song "A Child is Born," carrying Thad Jones's granddaughter in her arms, creating one of the festival's most memorable moments.