The San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival

Entertainment, Events — By Buddy Sampson on June 30, 2018 at 7:41 am

By Buddy Sampson

San Diego, California- The first day of the San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival kicked off in grand fashion at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego. The kickoff event, promoted by Payne Pest Management and Rainbow Promotions, LLC, was emceed by Kelly of Magic 92 and Eric Darius.  Moved from Embarcadero Park to a ballroom in the Manchester Grand Hyatt, the extravaganza started with Monty Seward, a singer and keyboardist who had a funky, but soulful set.

But the night belonged to saxophonist, singer and performer JessyJ, a sensational performer that simply rocked the house. “I enjoy it,” said JessyJ, when about playing for a smaller but intimate audience, such as the ballroom at the Hyatt. “I like getting close and personal with the audience and it’s special for me because I’m friends with Willie and Kathy Payne, who invited me to perform tonight. It’s great because it’s also the 10-year anniversary of my very first album, Tequila Moon.” The saxophonist, who is expecting her first child and performed her last show before pregnancy leave, delighted the audience with several songs from her CDs including “Tequila Moon,” which she used as a backdrop to leave the stage and entertain the patrons, going from table to table. She has a current CD, “Live at Yoshi’s,” that displays her considerable chops as a musician and performer. Visit her website at JessyJ.com or visit her Facebook page JessyJSax on Facebook.

Special mention to former Ms. Scoop KimiRhochelle Porter, Publicist, who treated us with tremendous hospitality. Nice to know that an ex Ms. Scoop is doing fantastic. It’s still not too late to attend, there’s two days left on the Festival. Tickets are available through Rainbow Promotions LLC at (562) 424- 0013 or online at http://bit.ly/SanDiegoSmoothJazzFest.