The Hollywood Bowl in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles is the cream of the crop of large scale venues. Different than other venues of its size, the Hollywood Bowl encourage coolers providing boxes with four chairs and a little table complete with white table cloths for patrons to enjoy. The front section is serviced by waiters who look like they stepped out of a forties movie with white apron on black, carrying trays filled with delicious looking food above their heads. On Saturday in the very front, two booths had been joined together and a long table with white table cloths held Hugh Hefner and his girls. The two young blonds surrounding him were identical twins, dressed alike. Behind them was a very loud, attention grabbing, Jamie Fox. Other celebs were quietly enjoying the day more discreetly.
Bill Cosby acted as Master of Ceremonies, sitting on the side of the stage with his family. Darlene Chan, founder of the Playboy Jazz Festival and owner of Festival Productions, could be seen standing in the wings with a concerned look on her face. The festival started promptly at 2:30 pm and never stopped until 11pm. A large stage clock informed the artists of the countdown until their set is over and the stage begins to rotate. On cue, the band in the back begins and by the time the stage has completed its rotation, the new band is in full swing. All very cool, the momentum never slows, the party never stops.
The high point of Saturday afternoon was an uplifting performance by Esperanza Spalding and the high point of Sunday was recent young Cuban defector, Alfredo Rodriguez. Norman Brown's Summer Storm with Eric Darius and Phil Perry dazzled the audience on Saturday and Patti Austin belted them out backed by Nathan East from Fourplay and Paul Jackson Jr. who besides being a successful Smooth Jazz guitarist, is in the house band for American Idol.
