WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, AT 8 PM
KKJZ'S JAZZ AT THE BOWL

Sponsored by Blue Shield of California

The Hollywood Bowl takes concertgoers to "The Edge of Jazz" on Wednesday, August 20, at 8 p.m. in a program featuring jazz artists Medeski Martin and Wood, John Scofield Band and Roy Hargrove's RH Factor. Highlighted by innovative experimentation, the concert features progressive jazz forms, including funk, groove-centered, fusion and soul jazz.

Perhaps the most popular jazz style of the 1960's, soul jazz is derived from hard bop, an extension of bebop that often borrows from Southern rhythm and blues and even gospel themes. Improvising to chord progressions as with bop, soul jazz is concentrated on a rhythmic groove centered around a strong, varied bass line. Jazz funk derives influences from Southern soul as well, while fusion jazz mixes influences from rock with jazz improvisation.

The Edge of Jazz is the seventh concert of KKJZ's Jazz at the Bowl series, which has included performances by Etta James, João Gilberto, Terence Blanchard and Wayne Shorter. The concert series, sponsored by KKJZ Radio (88.1 FM), concludes with the Art of Swing on
August 27.

Avant-garde instrumental hip hop trance-funk is how MEDESKI MARTIN AND WOOD describe their ever-expanding musical repertoire. Daring to become "unclassifiable," the band has found great success in pushing the limits of each genre they explore. Formed in 1991, each member of the three-piece band has already carved out a career playing with equally adventurous artists such as John Lurie, John Zorn and Bob Moses. Improvisation and experimentations in groove-centered jazz, the New York trio has released 11 albums, and shared bills with jam bands (Phish), punk rockers (Iggy Pop), and mainstream jazzers.

One of the most prolific jazz guitarists on the scene, JOHN SCOFIELD began his playing while still in high school in the mid-60's. A funk and rock sound dominated Scofield's playing in his earlier years, but his mastery of the instrument with post-bop, fusion and soul jazz intonations have since earned him the tag of one of the "big three" of current jazz guitarists (with Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell). A remarkable improviser, Scofield has recorded with jazz greats including Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Charlie Haden, and Joe Lovano.

Born in 1969, trumpet player ROY HARGROVE released the first of his 12 records at age 20. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Hargrove first found success as a sideman, working with Sonny Rollins, Wynton Marsalis, James Clay, and other major players. While consistently showcasing his straight-ahead hard bop style, his discography became increasingly adventurous, with contributions to R&B records (Erykah Badu, D'Angelo) augmenting his repertoire. In 1993 Roy Hargrove began recording for Verve, which soon followed with an award from the coveted Down Beat Readers' Poll for his sizzling solos in 1995. The RH Factor highlights Hargrove's funkier, more playful vibe, evoking the styles of innovators such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Roy Hargrove last performed at the Hollywood Bowl in 2000.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

Wednesday, August 20, 8 PM

KKJZ'S JAZZ AT THE BOWL

HOLLYWOOD BOWL (2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood)

THE EDGE OF JAZZ

MEDESKI MARTIN AND WOOD

JOHN SCOFIELD BAND

ROY HARGROVE'S RH FACTOR

Sponsored by Blue Shield of California

Tickets ($1-$73) are on sale now at the Hollywood Bowl box office, by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232, at all Ticketmaster outlets (Robinsons May Towers and Ritmo Latino locations), or online at hollywoodbowl.com. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850.2050 for further details. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.

# # #