Bill Fulton Band at Playboy Jazz Festival Review by Paula Edelstein Sounds of Timeless Jazz 2005

5/28/05 5:57pmPaula Edelstein, Sounds of Timeless JazzPasadena Summer Fest: Born in Pasadena But Enjoyed By All! Each year, over the three-day Memorial Day weekend, The Pasadena Summer Fest serves the community of Pasadena and works on several levels by inviting an array of musicians, artists, and private vendors to build sales, develop networks and to find collaborators. This year, there was such a big sense of excitement. The event had moved to the Rose Bowl! Even though this was the first time the five great festivals in one had been held at the Rose Bowl, people knew where they were going and they had a purpose. “I´m going to hear some great jazz on the Playboy Jazz Stage,” stated one jazz lover as she headed through the tunnel that led to the field. “We´re here to enjoy the Fun Zone,” said one very well organized mom, her arms filled with children. “She wants to join the WNBA” stated another energetic grandmother as she watched her granddaughter shoot hoops in the Sports Zone.Saturday’s top acts – Clairdee, Victor Fields and Jeff Kashiwa offered their great brands of jazz and not only introduced songs from their latest CDs – MUSIC MOVES, VICTOR and PEACE OF MIND respectively, they involved listeners on several levels with their unique approaches to improvisation, and musical intuition.Sunday’s top acts – Odara, Kristin Korb, Bill Fulton Band and Ronnie Laws brought their creative sets full circle with several styles of jazz that ranged from Latin, Great American Songbook vocals, Big Band and Free/bop jazz fusion.Whether you were in the ideal spot for catching some sun while enjoying the great jazz on the Playboy Jazz stage, or connecting with people from other cultures in and around the Family Fun Fest Entertainment Stage, indulging your senses and culinary palette while sampling the international cuisines at A Taste of Summer, or adding art and jewelry to your collections offered by vendors from the Summer Art Fest, Pasadena Summer Fest had something for everyone. Visit the site at www.pasadenasummerfest.com (link expired) for information on next year’s event.