Music and Sunshine….

                                THE PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL WILL A PRESENT A FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT FEATURING LATIN JAZZ BAND LEADER JOHNNY POLANCO Y SU CONJUNTO AMISTAD AND MAURICE SPEARS AND HIS ALL-TROMBONE BAND BONESOIR

SUNDAY MAY 3RD AT BEVERLY HILLS CIVIC CENTER FROM 3PM TO 5PM

               The Playboy Jazz Festival will launch their popular free community concert series with the infectious Latin dance grooves of bandleader and multi-instrumentalist Johnny Polanco Y Su Amistad and the unique all-trombone straight ahead jazz band, Bonesoir, on Sunday, May 3rd from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza. The Beverly Hills Civic Center is located at 450 North Rexford Drive, between Santa Monica Boulevard and Burton Way.

               The dynamic leader of the ultimate west coast Latin party band, Grammy nominated, New York born Polanco, a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger with Dominican and Puerto Rican roots, has earned a reputation for creating what local music writer Lina Lecara categorized as “the kind of infectious, rhythmic, multi-layered Latin music that makes even the most timid wallflower abandon all restraint and give it a whirl on the dance floor.” His latest recording, Pa’l Bilador (For The Dancer) on Los Angeles based Morrowland Records, epitomizes the innovative mix of tropical Latin dance rhythms and old school Latin style music that Polanco is famous for.

               Led by noted musician Maurice Spears, straight-ahead jazz group Bonesoir, which will open the show at 3:00p.m., features five trombones and a rhythm section. Each band member has an extensive background in a broad range of musical genres from festivals, theaters, clubs, and concert halls, to motion pictures, video, and television. Bandmembers George Bohanon, Garnett Brown, Steve Baxter and Spears all showcase the trombones’s versatility with sweet harmonies, lively melodies, and solos marked by the member’s individual styles.

The free concert will be the first in a series free community events held in conjunction with this year’s upcoming 31st annual Playboy Jazz Festival, to be held at the Hollywood Bowl, June 13th and 14th.

“Our Beverly Hills concert has become a popular tradition as the kick-off for the annual Playboy Jazz Festival season, and this year’s roster of talent promises a lively afternoon of upbeat jazz entertainment at the Civic Center’s attractive outdoor performing arts venue in celebration of our 31st Annual,” stated Richard Rosenzweig, Playboy Jazz Festival President

            Food and refreshments will be available for purchase to the public. Glass containers, alcoholic beverages and audio/video recorders are not permitted. Two free hours of parking are available at the Civic Center parking structure, adjacent to the Beverly Hills Public Library.