An All-Star Location--and Music to Match

FULLERTON —  It may not be able to boast a long list of big-budget acts. But the Orange County Art and Jazz Festival may well have more personality than any other fest in Southern California. Saturday’s opening day was blessed with beautiful weather and a substantial turnout. And even with all those people, the event--now in its fourth year--kept its intimacy, as attendees scattered among two music stages, a children’s stage and a variety of artists and vendors.

Set on the grounds of the Fullerton Arboretum, the festival has, hands-down, the most attractive location for any festival in the Southland. The main stage is set at the base of a grassy field, framed by palm trees and backed by a pond full of ducks. The second stage is the front porch of the arboretum’s historic Heritage House.

Already there’s a sense of tradition in the musical lineup: Trumpeter Jeff Bunnell has assembled a group of all-stars each year to headline. This year’s performance was especially impressive.

Saxophonist Bob Sheppard, trombonist Andy Martin, bassist Dave Carpenter and drummer Joe LaBarbera returned to join Bunnell; pianist Tom Ranier was a first-time all-star. Playing a selection of music from Horace Silver (with whom Bunnell has toured), Dexter Gordon and Bunnell, the band members worked with empathy and a bit of bravado, challenging one another with strong solos and inventive ensemble play.

Bunnell set the pace on Gordon’s “Fried Bananas,” blowing with confidence and an occasional devil-may-care feel. Sheppard reflected some Joe Henderson influence (a good thing). Martin’s slide work was fleet, lyrical and clean.

Bunnell’s Silver-influenced “No Time Like The Present” gave Ranier a chance to show some funk leanings. The trumpeter’s arrangement of Tom Harrell’s “Little Dancer” featured strong ensemble play from the horns. Silver’s “Nutville”--which has become the festival’s unofficial theme song, having been played by the all-stars every year--got a particularly lively reading.

Earlier in the day, Bunnell joined the Cal State Northridge Jazz “A” Band directed by Glen Garrett for “Killer Joe” and “I Remember Clifford.” Garrett, who also leads a professional big band in Los Angeles, played tenor on Tom Kubis’ “There Is No Greater Be-Bop” with impressive skill.

The festival’s fondness for contemporary music was mirrored best by Charge Particles, a trio from Ohio and the first group from out of state to play this festival. Tight interplay was the watchword as the threesome took difficult fusion themes and applied its own twists, covering tunes from Chick Corea and Jaco Pastorius, among others, with spark and personal flair.

The smaller Heritage House stage was dedicated to contemporary sounds from the Tyrone Anthony Group, the six-piece Second Story band (with Ron Kobayashi on keyboards and Steve Hommel on sax) and Toxic Jazz with guitarist Dave Murdy. Drummer David Jennings’ band gave a second-rate performance of soft jazz-rock on the main stage.

By the time trumpeter Tony Guerrero’s Swingfest, with keyboard player Bill Brendle, jumped into “Is You Is (Or Is You Ain’t My Baby),” the Orange County Art & Jazz Festival’s opening day had included something for everyone. The only drawback was the shortness of the sets on the main stage. More, especially from Bunnell’s all-stars, would have been a good thing.

The festival was to continue Sunday with the Susie Hansen Latin Jazz Band, the El Dorado High School Big Band, Continuum and others.