Continuing its rich tradition of presenting stellar jazz artists, the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival returns on June 17, and June 18. Curated by music legend Herbie Hancock and Grammy Award Winner Kamasi Washington, this year’s festival will bring in an eclectic array of jazz artists from across the globe to the Hollywood Bowl, including:

·       Bell Biv DeVoe

·       Kamasi Washington

·       St. Paul & The Broken Bones

·       Samara Joy

·       Aziza

·       Poncho Sanchez

·       Lionel Loueke and Gretchen Parlato

·      Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble at UCLA

·       LACHSA Jazz

·       West Coast Get Down

·       Leon Bridges

·       Raphael Saadiq

·       Ledisi

·       Digable Planets

·       The Soul Rebels

·       Big Freedia

·       Andrew Gouché & Prayze Connection

·       Boukman Eksperyans

·       Butcher Brown

·       The Cardinal Divas of SC

·       LAUSD Beyond the Bell All District Jazz Big Band with special guest Charlie Young

Entertainer extraordinaire Arsenio Hall will host this year’s Jazz Festival. For more information on the performers and purchasing tickets, visit hollywoodbowl.com/jazzfestival.

 Adding to the festivities, a special Pre-Show “Jazz Village Experience II” will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop and highlight the special legacy between Jazz and Hip-Hop music. This year’s theme, “Where Jazz Meets Hip-Hop,” will explore the rich history and relationship between Jazz and Hip-Hop music with art/photography displays by Kenneth Gatewood, William A. Pitt, Christen Austin, Samuel Pace, Mike Norice, Mohammed, the Artist, and Ramsess, the Artist; a live Graffiti art performance by Eric “Crea8” Walker;  a special exhibition by  Cross Colours, the original Hip-Hop clothing brand from the 90s, the California Jazz and Blues Museum, and Hip-Hop Philosophy Record Shop /Art Gallery. DJ Qwess will end the event spinning favorite Jazz + Hip-Hop fusion music beats.

 To enjoy this pre-show activation, visit Kagan Patio before the start of the Concert from 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm. The Jazz Village Experience is curated in partnership with the Hollywood Bowl and EP Productions, supported by the Leimert Park Village Book Fair. EP Productions founded by Cynthia E. Exum and Detra Palmore, specializes in creating memorable edutainment experiences through the arts, literature, and music.  The Leimert Park Village Book Fair, founded to promote literacy and education in the community, is dedicated to producing year-round educational programming with its partners. To learn more about EP Productions and the Book Fair, visit www.leimertparkbookfair.org.