In July 2010 we were invited to perform at the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival.
I have fond memories of my first performance at the Bowl, with Darrell Grant, in 2002. This time I brought my quintet.
The Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival, now celebrating it's 87th season, is the oldest admission free music festival in the USA.
We arrived for load-in just as the sun was setting.
The Redlands audience is large, appreciative and multi-generational.
We opened the show with "Mox Nix" by Art Farmer.
We invited SoCal saxophonist Rick Keller to sit-in with us on "Move" by Denzil Best.
Charles delivered a swinging solo on Chet Baker's "Baby Breeze."
We finished the show with "Soca Nova."
The band received a standing ovation.
As an encore, we played "When You Wish Upon a Star."
I enjoyed signing autographs and CDs for folks after the show.
The band backstage at the Bowl.
I was delighted by the surprise attendance of my childhood friend Ben Chambers. This is a cartoon portrait of Ben by his buddy, Disney animator Matthew Bates.
I'm not sure who this is supposed to be.
Marsha Gebara, program director at the Bowl, also set up three workshops for us in the community.
Built in 1901 by mineral magnate Albert Burrage, the Burrage Mansion is now owned by oil entrepreneur Tim Rochford.
Mr. Rochford has established the mansion as a haven of play and enrichment for disadvantaged young children.
The mansion's interior spaces are impressive, with vaulted ceilings, marble pillars, contiguous arches, and potted palms.
A beautiful ceiling of Tiffany glass presides over the mansion's entryway.
The day after our performance at the Bowl, we presented an introduction to jazz for children at the Burrage Mansion.
Everyone in the band enjoyed interacting with the kids.
Later that day, we presented a family matinee program for the Family Service Agency of Redlands.
After our final show, we celebrated with a wonderful dinner at Benjarong Thai restaurant.