The San Diego Smooth Jazz Sunday at Embarcadero Marina Park in San Diego

Entertainment, Travel — By Buddy Sampson on July 2, 2019 at 10:03 pm

By Buddy Sampson

The Embarcadero Marina Parks are beautiful sights to behold. With the sea as a backdrop and the boats passing by in the harbor, it is a perfect site for a romantic afternoon for couples and families. Add in smooth jazz music and you have a perfect afternoon.

The San Diego Smooth Jazz Sunday concert provided the center of the ambience of the Marina, with music that sailed along, and treated the audience to a simply delightful show.

Adding to the beautiful harbor and the beauty of the weather, which was absolutely perfect was the opener of the day of smooth jazz, Mariea Antoinette, whose music, beauty and elegance matched the perfection of the day. She treated the San Diego audience to a foray back into the 70s, borrowing the artistry of Curtis Mayfield’s “Give Me Your Love,” and making it her own. The harpist’s fluid lines on her instrument served as an enchanting background to the breezy, but warm San Diego day. She performed a song, “Special Treasurer,” which featured a very solid string quartet that added a sweetness to the funky backdrop of the tight rhythm section. “It all works, it definitely works, people don’t think it works but it does work,” said Mariea when asked about strings and funk. “To meld all those different flavors and vibrations and vibrations, it’s amazing. Strings are so important.”  She even did a Mary J. Blige song. She hopes to provide something a little different for the listening public. “We’re hoping it opens more doors, because it’s about expansion, it’s about expanding the mind,” she said, “instead of doing the same thing over and over again. Not to put down sax, but it’s sax, sax, sax, so much sax. Let’s try the harp and open up the horizon. Let’s expose people, not only to something different, but a different way of doing it.” Her album, “All My Strings,” will be released in the fall. We were stunned to find out from her that she is a former Ms. Scoop. Everyone on our staff is digging for that issue. For more on this classy and talented lady, visit www.marieaantoinette.com.

Taking the stage next was Monty Seward, and he was a crowd pleaser. His set, combined with the weather, was mellow and sensual at times. He is a very talented artist.

Sax to the Max, which featured Michael Lington, Vincent Ingala and Paul Taylor, was simply fantastic. All of them provided great moments for the audience, including a segment when Michael Lington went into the audience. They were terrific.

Norman Brown, who took the stage next, provided his fluid jazz chops to the audience, who simply loved him. He always puts on a great show, and this show was no exception.

However, the day belonged to Eric Darius, who closed the show. Eric Darius’s set was simply electrifying, and had the audience sitting on the edge of their seats. His band was definitely the tightest band of the afternoon. With dancers, great choreography, and a super funky rhythm section that featured an amazing bassist, Nate Kearney. But Darius is a complete showman and masterful on the saxophone. His set was the perfect closing act. He and his band were simply amazing.

If you miss the next San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival, then you’re missing an amazing afternoon of jazz, against the incredible backdrop of the Embarcadero Marine Parks.

We’d like to thank another ex-Ms. Scoop, Publicist KimiRhochelle, for all of her help, Payne Pest Management and Rainbow Productions.