Laguna Beach Live! presents a special fundraiser concert on Wednesday, April 25th, starring Leslie Lewis Paris Quartet, to support the non-profit’s youth program Live! Music & Kids.
Singer Leslie Lewis and pianist Gerard Hagen have been making beautiful music together in Paris and throughout Europe since moving from Los Angeles in 2012. Leslie Lewis, a native of East Orange, New Jersey, has toured as a featured jazz vocalist with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, as well as touring with members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Pacific Symphony at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Musique Sur La Mer Chamber Orchestra in London, the High Definition Big Band at Le Palais des Congrès in Paris, as well as performances with Jazz Tap Ensemble in New York and Los Angeles.
Gerard worked with local rock and pop groups and played solo piano at restaurants, developing a forward looking straight-ahead jazz style inspired by some of jazz’s past masters, yet quite individual and personal. Joining Leslie on stage is Laguna Beach Live’s very own Bijon Watson, trumpet. Bijon has innumerable credits and is an integral part of our organization.
In addition, MacGillivray-Freeman films has also joined the cause. Film clips of the new America’s Musical Journey will entertain concert goers. One lucky guest will win a private screening of one of their films, with a Q &A with filmmakers and a tour of their offices in Laguna. An extra treat for VIP ticket buyers will be a personal copy of America’s Musical Journey Coffee Table book – 80 pages of stunning photos from iconic musical cities, behind the scenes filming stories and a historical look at the birth of American music plus a signed CD and meet and greet with the artists.
Benefit Concert 2018 is in the distinctive [seven-degrees] event facility, 891 Laguna Canyon Rd. from 6:00-8:00 pm. Doors open at 5:00 pm, with food and drinks available for purchase starting at 5:00 pm. Tickets are $40 general and $100 VIP, which includes VIP seating. Reservations are accepted until noon on day of concert or until sold out. For more information visit www.lagunabeachlive.org