Jazz will make you think. Take when Jazz in Pink leader Gail Jhonson explained the thinking behind a new song by her band, “Do Something Else,” thusly: “Because, if it ain’t working for you, you should probably, do something else.”
A whole bunch of people decided the Long Beach Jazz Fest was the something for them this weekend. There have been a lot of festivals this summer, but it will be hard for any of them to match the crowd who came ready on all fronts—sartorially, culinarily, drinky, drinkys—to relax and enjoy in every which way such heavyweights as Karen Briggs with Jazz in Pink, Ernie Watts and Patrice Rushen with The Jazz Classics and, of course, Poncho Sanchez, because, let’s face it, it’s not the Long Beach Jazz Fest until Poncho plays.
There have been 32 of them; he’s played 30.
A 5, 6, 7, 8 …
Red sequence shoes just some of the highlights of the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
Tyler Chenise, of Long Beach, takes shade under an umbrella as she reacts with other people at her table while at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Chenise took her mother to the jazz festival to celebrate her mothers birthday. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
Jazz In Pink percussionist performs with the band at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
Tomoka Nomura-Jarvis of Jazz In Pink is seen through the harp as the band plays at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
Karen Briggs of the band Jazz In Pink gets out front as the band performs at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
Tomoka Nomura-Jarvis of Jazz In Pink performs at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
A group takes a paddleboat out on the Rainbow Lagoon during the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
Cabana ticket holders are seen as the sunsets and backlights the tents during the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
The bass player reacts as he drops the note down low as he performs with Ernie Watts at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
Ernie Watts performs with The Jazz Classics Ft. Patrice Rushen at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
Christopher Tippen walks with his 15-month-old step-son Noah Silverbird on his shoulder through the crowd while at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
A couple pauses as they overlook the Rainbow Lagoon at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
The legion Poncho Sanchez performs for the 30th time at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
The hands of Poncho Sanchez are taped up for his performance at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
Poncho Sanchez plays the cowbell like no other as he performs with his band at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
The legion Poncho Sanchez plays his congas at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
Rahim Reed, left and his son Malik Reed, both of Sacramento, walk along the path next to the lagoon as they Reed family traveled too Long Beach just to attend the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
Ernie Watts performs with The Jazz Classics Ft. Patrice Rushen at the 32nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in Long Beach Saturday, August 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.
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