Steve Hochman on March 7th, 2017

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The full line-up announced today for this summer’s edition of the Playboy Jazz Festival to be held June 10 and 11 at the Hollywood Bowl dramatically shows the continued evolution of the event’s mission to expose and explore the multiple streams flowing into and out of the vast genre. It’s an array of artists both established and up-and-coming ranging from veteran bassist and bandleader Marcus Miller to recent Grammy Award-winning vocalist Gregory Porter to soulful singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae to hip-hop innovator (and actor) Common to the TajMo teaming of blues-roots dynamos Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo, And those artists are just the start for the event, in its 39th year — and in a year that marks a century since the first jazz recording.

The full reach of the roster extends to R&B via Lalah Hathaway, Afro-Latin heritage with the Arturo Sandoval Latin Big Band, the Playboy debut of L.A.’s socially conscious Miles Mosley & the West Coast Get Down (familiar as a core portion of Kamasi Washington’s band), the all-star unit of Hudson with drummer Jack DeJohnette, bassist Larry Grenadier, organist John Medeski and guitarist John Scofield, the boundary-pushing Kenny Garrett Quintet, Brazilian outfit the Hamiton De Holanda Trio and the boisterous blast of Snarky Puppy’s keyboardist Cory Henry and his band the Funk Apostles.

As well, a bright spotlight will be put on the massive legacy of vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, who died last August, in a tribute starring and overseen by acolyte Stefon Harris and also featuring vibes giants Roy Ayers and younger star Warren Wolf. Comedian George Lopez returns for his fifth year as host.

Single ticket sales started today, with full information available at the Bowl’s web site.