The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa Features Award-winning, Chart-topping Smooth Jazz Musicians on March 21
By Chris Clemens
The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa brings to the stage “Smooth Jazz All-stars” featuring Gregg Karukas, Jessy J, Brian Simpson and Michael Paulo at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, as the second concert of “The Grooves at the Westin” concert series.
The 2013 Grammy Award winner, Gregg Karukas, continues to place on Billboard’s Top Jazz Songs with “Elegant Nights,” released in 2014. As one of urban contemporary jazz’s most versatile and acclaimed artists over the past 25 years, the talented keyboardist and composer was recognized for producing, engineering, co-writing and arranging Omar Akram’s “Echoes of Love,” which won Best New Age Album at the 55th Grammy Awards in February 2013. As a solo artist, Karukas’ 11 CDs have garnered consistently solid reviews for his signature piano touch, pristine production, and melodies that are both soulful and sophisticated.
Celebrated keyboardist, composer and studio musician, Brian Simpson just released his new album “Out Of A Dream,” which currently holds the #8 position on Billboard’s Top Jazz Albums. The chart-topping musical chameleon has been the ‘go-to’ man for everyone from Janet Jackson and Teena Marie to George Duke, Stanley Clarke and Dave Koz, for whom he has had the distinction of being musical director for the past 15 years.
Nouveau sax-woman Jessy J burst onto the contemporary jazz scene in 2008, blending her love for Latin rhythms and jazz on her chart-topping, award-winning debut album “Tequila Moon.” Jessy earned the Radio & Records’ Debut Artist of The Year award and contemporary jazz Song of the Year by both R&R and Billboard for the title track, which held the number spot on the chart for eight weeks. Her latest album “Second Chances” features Grammy Award-winning guitarist Norman Brown, which debuted in 2013 and has landed on Billboard jazz charts as well. Jessy J has worked in studio with Michael Bublé and toured with music icons Michael Bolton, The Temptations, Jessica Simpson and Seal.
As one of the most versatile and cosmopolitan saxophonists in pop, soul and contemporary jazz for nearly 20 years, Michael Paulo has added his distinct to a virtual who’s who of artists, including Al Jarreau (Paulo’s longest term touring association), James Ingram, number one smooth jazz trumpeter and guitarist Rick Braun and Peter White, Oleta Adams, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Jeffrey Osborne, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Carl Anderson, Bobby Caldwell, Johnny Mathis and others.
Hiroshima concludes the series on Saturday, March 28. With over 30 years performing together, Hiroshima offers crowds an unforgettable musical experience. Their unique blend of Japanese instruments, such as the 13-stringed koto and taiko drums, with the smooth rhythm of Western R&B, makes them the number one Asian-American band in the world. June Kuramoto on koto is an American treasure and music icon. No one else in the world possesses her ability to bridge the gap between traditional Asian music and Western jazz. Hiroshima’s music has been heard in film, television, concert stages and festivals throughout the world.
All shows take place at the outdoor Masters Plaza and begin at 7 p.m with gates opening at 6 p.m. Ticket prices range between $45 and $75. In addition, a special three-course dinner package, including a glass of celebratory house wine, is available for $99 per person at the resort’s Fireside Lounge, neighboring the Masters Plaza where the performances are held. The cost includes prime outdoor seating situated around a centralized outdoor fire pit with exceptional views of the concert.
Sponsorships for the jazz series are available beginning at $1,000 per show or $2,500 for the spring series. For more information about the resort visit www.westinmissionhills.com or call (760) 770-2150. For concert tickets visit www.tix.com.
