by Lola Rossi-Meza
Sponsored by the Coachella Valley Weekly, the First “Jazz Tastings™” Concert held at the Emerald Desert Resort Ballroom on Saturday, January 12, took the Desert by storm! Contemporary jazz guitarist and Billboard artist Blake Aaron and vocalist Derek Bordeaux performed to a full house of music lovers. To the delight of the audience, surprise guest saxophonist and Billboard artist Will Donato took the stage after Aaron performed the first three songs at the beginning of the show. Donato had to leave after his stellar performance and head to the Agave Sunset Bar in the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort and Spa, 44-600 Indian Wells Lane in Indian Wells, to perform with his band Art of Sax. Donato is there every Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. until midnight.
They were complemented by a full band that rocked the house. Band members included Aaron on guitar, Larry Kester on keyboard, David Levray on bass and Winston Butts on drums. “Smooth Jazz Live” was on hand to shoot photos of the event as well as video. This was the first of a series of “Jazz Tastings™” produced by Patte Purcell of Muze Muzic, as a membership drive to build a new base of contemporary jazz lovers for the Jazz Society of the Desert™, part of the DJSD, a 28 year old non-profit organization.
Donato raved about the event and commented, “I loved seeing all the smiling faces, and what a sense of community, I’m still energized by it”. At Donato’s suggestion, the future shows will last for a solid 90 minutes with no breaks, “that’s how the Desert rolls,” he joked.
The guests enjoyed Crater Lake Vodka and Gin martinis including some new specialty mixes featuring their pepper vodka with mango juice, a truly delicious combination. Guests were impressed, not only by the delicious cocktails, but how Chef Woody featured Crater Lake Vodka in pasta sauces and in the dessert, which featured the hazelnut espresso vodka. Jan Boydsten, owner of Kitchen Kitchen, provided the food tastings for the event and had a large display of items for sale from her retail store in Indian Wells. Monte De Oro premium wines were also featured, and enjoyed by good wine enthusiasts.
Purcell is creating a new type of jazz entertainment event with some exciting differences. Her plans include keeping it at the reasonable price, so guests of the resort and residents can enjoy an all inclusive package including fabulous food, wine, and martinis making it the best deal in the Desert. This will encourage people to come out and enjoy the Palm Desert warmth during the summer while listening to some of the finest contemporary jazz artists in the country with cool pools and cold martinis, wine and jazz.
The next Jazz Tastings™ will feature saxtress Jeanette Harris and her band. Her saxy style of jazz, and R & B, will bring a great dance vibe to this event. The event will be held again in the luxurious Emerald Desert RV Resort Ballroom on Saturday, February 23, from 6 until 9 p.m. with an artist reception, dinner and bar. For ticket information, contact Patte Purcell at (702) 219-6777 or send her a text.
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