Tag Archives: Hollywood Bowl

George Lopez Returning as Host of the Playboy Jazz Festival

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George Lopezis back at the helm…

The 58-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor will host the Playboy Jazz Festival when it returns to the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on June 6-7.  

It’ll be Lopez’s eighth anniversary as festival host.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association’s first wave of announced performers includes R&B/funk legends the Isley Brothers featuring Ronald and Ernie Isley, St. Paul and the Broken Bones; Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science; Musiq Soulchild; Femi Kuti & the Positive Force; The Crosscurrents Trio with Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain & Chris Potter; Bokanté; all-star female jazz group Artemis with Renee Rosnes, Anat Cohen, Ingrid Jensen, Allison Miller, Noriko Ueda and Nicole Glover; Cimafunk; Incognito; Lean on Me: José James Celebrates Bill Withers; Azar Lawrence with the Azar Lawrence Experience and Mr. Sipp “The Mississippi Blues Child.”

The full talent lineup for the 42nd annual Playboy Jazz Festival will be announced on February 18, along with the complete schedule for the Hollywood Bowl’s summer 2020 season. 

Presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the seventh straight year, the Playboy Jazz Festival is produced by FestivalWest Inc.

Order forms for Bowl subscription-holders have been released with single tickets going on sale on February 18. 

For more information, visit https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/concerts-and-events/playboy-jazz-festival/.

Luis Miguel Launching 22-City North American ¡México Por Siempre! Tour

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Luis Miguel is celebrating his home country in a special way…

The 47-year-old Mexican singer, often referred to as El Sol de México, has announced the North American tour dates for his ¡México Por Siempre! trek.

Luis Miguel

The 22-city run launches on May 4 in San Diego, and is followed by his first-ever headlining performance at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on May 6.

Miguel’s highly-anticipated tour is produced by Live Nation and will stop in other major cities across the U.S. and Canada, including Chicago, Houston, Miami, Toronto and New York, among many more.

¡México Por Siempre! is the title of Miguel’s latest studio album, which earned him his second No. 1 on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Albums chart in December 2017.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday (February 16) at 10:00 am on LiveNation.com.

Here’s the full tour schedule:

DATE                                                  CITY                          VENUE
Friday, May 4, 2018                            San Diego, CA            Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
Sunday, May 6, 2018                          Los Angeles, CA         Hollywood Bowl
Thursday, May 10, 2018                     San Jose, CA*             SAP Center
Friday, May 11, 2018                          Sacramento, CA*        Golden 1 Center
Sunday, May 13, 2018                        Phoenix, AZ                Comerica Theatre
Saturday, May 19, 2018                     Salt Lake City, UT      USANA Amphitheatre
Sunday, May 20, 2018                        Denver, CO                 Pepsi Center
Wednesday, May 23, 2018                 Chicago, IL                  Allstate Arena
Friday, May 25, 2018                          Dallas, TX                   American Airlines Center
Saturday, May 26, 2018                     Laredo, TX                  Laredo Energy Arena
Sunday, May 27, 2018                        Houston, TX                Toyota Center
Wednesday, May 30, 2018                 Orlando, FL                 Amway Center
Friday, June 1, 2018                           Miami, FL                    AmericanAirlines Arena
Tuesday, June 5, 2018                       Washington, DC         The Theatre at MGM National Harbor
Thursday, June 7, 2018                      Toronto, ON                Budweiser Stage
Friday, June 8, 2018                           Montreal, QC              Bell Centre
Saturday, June 9, 2018                      New York, NY             Madison Square Garden
Thursday, August 30, 2018                San Antonio, TX         AT&T Center
Friday, August 31, 2018                     Edinburg, TX               Bert Ogden Arena
Sunday, September 2, 2018               El Paso, TX                 Don Haskins Center
Saturday, September 8, 2018            Anaheim, CA              Honda Center
Sunday, September 9, 2018               Fresno, CA                 Save Mart Center

Maxwell Releases “Gods” Remix Video, “More Gods”

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Maxwell is ready to bring more (gods)…

The 44-year-old half-Puerto Rican R&B singer, currently on tour, is releasing a remix video for his R&B smash single “Gods.”

Maxwell

Maxwell fans can get their first look at “More Gods”– the Grammy winner’s upbeat, stylish revamp centered around DJ Kapiro’s remix of the song — on Billboard.

Motivated after listening to DJ Kapiro’s remix, Maxwell tells Billboard that he “was inspired to add an extra visual element to the video, something different. I’m looking forward to hearing it on the radio.”

Brandon Carter directed the “More Gods” video remix. The original neon pink “Gods” video, released in March by Maxwell and Tidal, was directed by Philip Andelman.

Aside from the remix’s beat-heavy rhythms and Maxwell’s mesmerizing refrain “do what you want” (also written out in various languages onscreen), the video finds the singer also teasing his next album. It’s the anticipated final chapter in an album trilogy that began with 2009’s BLACKsummers’night and 2016’s second installment blackSUMMERS’night, which features “Gods.”

Asked about the arrival date for his next album, Maxwell offers only a cryptic reply: “Be prepared to be surprised. Night is coming.”

Maxwell will perform at the UNITAS Gala “Against Human Trafficking” on Sept. 12. Upcoming stops on his national tour include Los Angeles (Hollywood Bowl, Oct. 6), Las Vegas (The Cosmopolitan, Oct. 7) and Concord, Calif. (Concord Pavilion, Oct. 8).

Gente de Zona to Co-Headline Celia Cruz Tribute at the Hollywood Bowl

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Gente de Zona is preparing to pay tribute to a late compatriot…

The Cuban reggaeton group, comprised of Alexander Delgado and Randy Malcom Martinez, will perform at the the Hollywood Bowl’s special tribute honoring Celia Cruz.

Gente de Zona

Co-headlined by Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Angélique Kidjo and Gente de Zona, the tribute to the late Queen of Salsa will take place on August 9 as part of the Hollywood Bowl’s Jazz at the Bowl summer series.

In addition to the Latin Grammy-winning duo and Kidjo, Pedrito Martinez will also perform at the tribute.

The Pedrito Martinez Group, whose Habana Dreams album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Tropical Albums chart last June, will be the opening act.

It’ll be the first time Gente de Zona has performed at the iconic Hollywood Bowl.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Hollywood Bowl’s summer season this year. See you soon in California,” the “Traidora” singers tweeted.

The Celia Cruz tribute is part of the Hollywood Bowl’s summer 2017 lineup recently announced. Other Latin artists on the summer schedule include Café Tacvba, La Santa Cecilia and Mon Laferte, who will perform at the Bowl on Sepember 17 as part of the Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA series.

Angelique Kidjo to Perform Celia Cruz Tribute at the Hollywood Bowl

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Prepare to be bowled over by Celia Cruz’s music…

Singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo is set to perform a special tribute to the late Cuban singer, who passed away in July 23 at the age of 77, at the Hollywood Bowl.

Celia Cruz

It’s all part of the 2017 Jazz at the Bowl summer series, kicking off July 19, featuring eight Wednesday evening concerts.

Cruz is hailed as the most popular Latin artist of the 20th century, earning 23 gold albums. She was a recipient of the National Medal of Arts. She was renowned internationally as the “Queen of Salsa“, “La Guarachera de Cuba“, as well as The Queen of Latin Music.

Guided by Herbie Hancock, the L.A. Philharmonic’s creative chair for jazz, this year’s series features performances by a diverse lineup of established and emerging artists, including Kidjo’s Cruz tribute on August 9.

The lineup also includes performances by Jill Scott and the Robert Glasper Experiment, Andra Day, Leslie Odom Jr. and more in a salute to Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie, and Steve Winwood with Mavis Staples.

The complete 2017 Jazz at the Bowl schedule, as well as ticket information, is available at www.HollywoodBowl.com.

Lopez Returning as Host of This Year’s Playboy Jazz Festival

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George Lopez is jazzed about his upcoming gig…

The 55-year-old Mexican American actor/comedian will host this year’s Playboy Jazz Festival, which will be presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association June 10-11 at the Hollywood Bowl.

George Lopez

It’ll be Lopez’s fifth consecutive year as host.

This year’s 39th Festival will feature a star-studded lineup that includes Gregory Porter, Corinne Bailey Rae, Kenny Garrett, Common and Keb’ Mo’ Band.

The full talent lineup will be revealed on March 7.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, March 7.

Click here for more information about the 2017 Playboy Jazz Festival.

Blacc to Perform at This Year’s Playboy Jazz Festival

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Aloe Blacc is a playboy…

The 35-year-old Panamanian American singer-songwriter has been selected as one of the headliners for the 37th annual Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Aloe Blacc

Taking place June 13-14, the two-day lineup includes appearances by Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ledisi and Terence Blanchard.

Blacc, who has the most Shazamed song of all time, will perform on Saturday, June 13.

Other Latino/a artists/acts include Ozomatli and the Eddie Palmieri Afro-Caribbean Jazz Band.

In addition, the slate includes Jason Moran‘s Fats Waller Dance Party, Snarky Puppy and Blue Note 75th Anniversary Presents: Our Point of View featuring Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, Kendrick Scott, Lionel Loueke, Marcus Strickland and Ambrose Akinmusire. The legacy of late jazz icon Gerald Wilson will be saluted by the Celebrating Gerald Wilson Orchestra under the direction of Wilson’s son Anthony.

Returning for a third consecutive year as host is comedian/actor George Lopez.

Additional information about the 2015 Playboy Jazz Festival is available at HollywoodBowl.com/PlayboyJazz.

Here’s the complete schedule:

PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL 2015
Saturday, June 13, 3-11 p.m.
Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and the Monk Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble
Eddie Palmieri Afro-Caribbean Jazz Band with special invited guests Ronnie Cuber, Alfredo De La Fe, Donald Harrison, Joe Locke
Aloe Blacc
Tower of Power
Jason Moran’s Fats Waller Dance Party
Celebrating Gerald Wilson Orchestra under the direction of Anthony Wilson
Melissa Aldana & Crash Trio
Morgan James
A Sacred Steel Love Supreme:  The Campbell Brothers Present “A Love Supreme”
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Vocal Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Pat Bass

Sunday, June 14, 3-10:30 p.m.
Ledisi
Terence Blanchard E-Collective
Ozomatli
The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band under the direction of John Lee
Snarky Puppy
King Sunny Ade and his African Beats
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Blue Note 75th Anniversary Presents: Our Point of View featuring Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, Kendrick Scott, Lionel Loueke, Marcus Strickland and Ambrose Akinmusire
The Jones Family Singers
The LAUSD/Beyond the Bell All-City Jazz Big Band under the direction of Tony White and J.B. Dyas

Leto’s 30 Second to Mars to Launch Carnivores Tour with Linkin Park

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He may be a newly minted Oscar winner… But Jared Leto is also a successful musician. And, he’s planning to take his show on the road.

The 42-year-old part-Spanish American actor/singer, his brother Shannon and their 30 Seconds to Mars have revealed the details surrounding their upcoming Carnivores Tour.

Jared Leto's 30 Seconds to Mars

The band will co-headline several summer dates with Linkin Park and special guest act AFI, it was announced at a press conference in Hollywood on Tuesday, just days after Leto took home the Academy Award for best supporting actor.

The 25-date tour kicks off on August 8 in West Palm Beach, Florida, with stops in Tampa, Montreal, Chicago, Houston and Denver, among other North American cities. Carnivores stops at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on September 15 and wraps up on September 19 in Concord, California.

Live Nation announced that tickets will go on sale Friday. A minute-long trailer for the tour features a British narrator and assorted live scenes, paired with some of the bands’ more anthemic hits, including Linkin Park’s “Numb” and 30 Seconds to Mars’ “The Kill (Bury Me).”

Before the summer road trip with Linkin Park, 30 Seconds to Mars will be heading out on a global tour that includes a concert in the Ukraine on March 12, after Leto referred to the conflicts there in his Oscar acceptance speech.

“To all the dreamers out there around the world watching this tonight, in places like the Ukraine and Venezuela, I want to say, we are here, and as you struggle to make your dreams happen, to live the impossible, we’re thinking of you tonight,” he said after collecting his statuette.

The tribute was missing from the delayed broadcast that aired on Russian television, but state-run television network Channel One said that it wasn’t responsible for cutting Leto’s speech.

Lopez to Emcee This Year’s Playboy Jazz Festival

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George Lopez is the next jazz master… of sorts.

The 51-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor has been named the new master of ceremonies for the Playboy Jazz Festival, which will be taking place at the Hollywood Bowl on June 15-16.

george-lopez-to-appear-at-straz-in-november

This year’s lineup includes India.Arie, Sheila E., Trombone Shorty, Bob James/David Sanborn, George Duke with Jeffrey Osborne, Angelique Kidjo with Hugh Masekela and Taj Mahal.

The two-day fest, celebrating its 35th anniversary, will also present three world premieres. These include Naturally 7 with special guest Herbie Hancock; an 80th birthday salute to Quincy Jones by the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with special guests Patti Austin and Hubert Laws; and jazz pianist Elew who, like India.Arie and Mahal, is making his first appearance at the festival. In addition, the Brubeck Brothers Quartet will perform a special tribute to the late Dave Brubeck.

Lopez takes over the emcee duties from Bill Cosby, who helmed the fest for more than 30 years. Described as the “perfect choice” to host by Playboy Jazz Festival’s president emeritus Richard Rosenzweig, Lopez called it a “most tremendous honor” to get the call from Cosby to be emcee.

He also noted that Cosby was giving him pointers like “don’t let the musicians in your dressing room because they will eat up all your food.”

Lopez later told Billboard.biz that he’s a longtime jazz fan. “To attend the show in this capacity is beyond whatever I could have imagined.” A guitar enthusiast, he noted that he’d also “love to play one song” with an act during the show. “That’s my goal.”

Aguilar Receives Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Pepe Aguilar has officially left his mark in Hollywood…

The 42-year-old Mexican American ranchera and mariachi singer, who will be touring with Shaila Durcal and Joan Sebastian this fall, received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame on Thursday.

Pepe Aguilar
“It’s an honor for me. I feel honored to be here on this very beautiful occasion. But, above all, it’s an honor for the music I represent,” said Aguilar, who was accompanied by relatives, friends and fans.

Dressed in a dark suit and sunglasses, Aguilar unveiled his star, which was No. 2,474 among those bestowed upon celebrities from film, television, radio and music by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Aguilera’s star is located at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard. It’s placed next to the star of another ranchera music legend, Pepe’s father Antonio Aguilar.

“A man who came from Zacatecas before having that star (and) slept on the streets of Los Angeles like one more undocumented (immigrant),” said the singer regarding his father.

Aguilar, who has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards, was the first singer of Mexican descent to sing at the legendary Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. And, he was the first Latino to sing at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. He has sold millions of albums worldwide.