CSUB will be kicking off their 23rd annual Jazz Festival in the CSUB Amphitheater on the Golden West Casino Stage, Friday, May 8th. Darren Gholston, Kyle Eastwood (Clint Eastwood’s son), and the Bob Mintzer Big Band are scheduled to start the big event at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Kern County Honor Jazz Band, the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop Orchestra, the CSUB Jazz Singers, the Tim Davies Big Band, Alison Brown, Brian Bromberg, and Cecilia Noel and the Wild Clams are set to perform. In addition to all the music on Saturday, there will also be a fireworks show.
Although the festival’s main focus are the featured artists and performers, CSUB is also making time between performances on Friday and Saturday to recognize students who have achieved academic success in the music programs on their campus. In fact, all of the proceeds made from the event go towards student scholarships, which have been given away every year. Among over forty scholarships given are major corporation donations from Fox Sports Radio, Brighthouse Networks, and many more.
The Dwayne Lee Gholston and Bill Burton scholarships were the first scholarships to ever be presented to not only CSUB music students but also Bakersfield College students.
This year three students from BC will be receiving these scholarships.
“I really want everyone to take away just a little touch of joy,” said Doug Davis, CSUB director and organizer of the festival. “This is such a celebration of the human spirit.”
Advance tickets to the annual event cost $23 for students and $32 for general admission. Saturday advance tickets are $25 for students and $35 for general admission. All kids under 12 are admitted free. You can get tickets at any Vallitix outlets, Stockdale Music, California Keyboards, Russo’s at the Marketplace and Front Porch Music. If you buy two-day festival tickets, which are $35 for students and $55 for general admission, you can save money.