KSBR Birthday Bash Jazz Festival Announces Line-Up for Memorial Day Weekend Celebration

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. - May 23, 2013 - PRLog -- Saddleback College Radio Station KSBR (88.5 FM) is proud to announce that Spencer Day, Jackiem Joyner, Keiko Matsui, Bill Cantos, Chris Standring and Sarah Gazarek  will be among the more than 30 musicians appearing at this year’s KSBR Birthday Bash Jazz Festival. The Birthday Bash takes place this Memorial Day weekend on Sunday, May 26, 2013 on the Village Green of Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo.

Some of the other artists appearing at this year’s event include one of the founders of Tower of Power, trumpeter Greg Adams and two-time Grammy Award winner Paul Brown.  As always, there will be at least seven very special guests who, because of contractual obligations, cannot be announced until they come on stage.  Previous surprise artists have included Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Patti Austin, Chris Botti, Larry Carlton, Brian Culbertson, Bob James, Boney James, Joe Sample, Tom Scott, and Peter White.

“At most festivals, one band takes the stage, followed by a break, and then another band, and so forth. But, at the Bash, the headliners leave their bands behind and play with each other in an all-star musical party,” according to Saddleback College Broadcast Services Director Terry Wedel.  The concert is co-sponsored by the City of Mission Viejo. This will be the 25th year of the station’s largest fundraising event, and it celebrates the 35th anniversary of jazz on KSBR (88.5 FM).

Organizers are excited to announce the second annual Taste of the Bash, which was a wildly successful element introduced last year and will again feature local restaurants showing off their finest creations.  The Taste is an added value so those purchasing tickets to the concert will be admitted to the Taste of the Bash for no additional charge.  The Birthday Bash is the major fundraising event for KSBR, Mission Viejo’s own community radio station at Saddleback College.

Some of the restaurants that are confirmed to serve are 2nd Floor Restaurant in Huntington Beach, California Pizza Kitchen in Mission Viejo, Acapulco Restaurant in Orange, Sundried Tomato in San Juan Capistrano, Bistro K in Laguna Niguel, Slater’s 50/50 in Lake Forest, Citrus Fresh Grill in Aliso Viejo, as well as wineries Hamilton Oaks Vineyards from Trabuco Canyon, Napa Cellars in Napa Valley and breweries Cismontane Beer in Rancho Santa Margarita and Hangar 24 Brewery in Redlands.   More restaurants and wineries that will be at the Taste of the Bash can be found at http://www.ksbr.org.

Platinum and Premium Gold VIP guests will be treated to a fine dining experience by Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Anaheim, Savannah Chop House in Dana Point, Delizie Ristorante in Mission Viejo, The Ranch Sports Grill in Ladera Ranch and Vintage Steak House in San Juan Capistrano; dessert will be provided by Tommy Bahama in Newport Beach and MegaLoad Chocolates.  It’s a Grind Coffee in Mission Viejo will also be serving coffee.  La Pan’s Catering in Mission Viejo, Ricardo’s Place in San Juan Capistrano, and Two Guys Grilling from Dana Point will be providing meals for the Bash All-Stars and their families.

The event will include a special tribute to Veterans.  Saddleback College’s Veterans Memorial is the most significant tribute to veterans at any community college campus in the nation. In recognition of this event and the role that the college’s VETS (Veterans Education and Transition Services) Center plays in the community, the festivities will include a color guard performance and a special musical tribute to kick off the concert.

In addition, veterans and active military personnel may purchase general admission tickets for just $25 through the Saddleback College VETS Center 949-582-4252. The Center is open Monday – Thursday 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. and Friday 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon.

Doors open at 3:30 P.M.; the Taste of the Bash will run from 3:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.  Advance sale ticket prices begin at $55; $60 at the door.  Reserved VIP seating is still available and is priced at $110-$180 per person. Tickets are available to the public at http://www.KSBR.org, at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center and at the Fine Arts Ticket Office at 949-582-4656.

Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community. Having served more than 500,00 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers over 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals.  For more information, please visit http://www.saddleback.edu and for Fine Arts information, please visit http://www.saddleback.edu/arts.