Femi Kuti & The Positive Force Kick off the 2010 Hollywood Bowl Jazz Series, 7/7

The Los Angeles Philharmonic's 2010 Hollywood Bowl Jazz series begins Wednesday, July 7 at 8PM with a compelling mix of African beats, dance and jazz. Nigerian Afrobeat superstar Femi Kuti returns with his explosive rhythms and invigorating dancers for a night that celebrates the foundation of jazz music.

Superlative jazz trumpeter and film composer Terence Blanchard and modern dance troupe Lula Washington Dance Theatre collaborate for the first time. This performance also marks the first time a dance company has choreographed a piece specifically for a body of Blanchard's work. This performance is the first of several dance events at the Bowl this season. Cameroonian bassist and singer Richard Bona starts things off with his unique style that blends a horde of influences, including jazz, bossa nova, pop, afro-beat, traditional song and funk.

Herbie Hancock begins his tenure as the Bill and Carolyn Powers Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the Hollywood Bowl 2010 season. His influence has produced a jazz series that is filled with an eclectic mix of musical contributions from African and pop to soul and big band, typical of Hancock's diverse tastes. Other concerts in this series include Smokey Robinson and Lizz Wright (July 14); Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin and Dianne Reeves (July 21); Count Basie Orchestra, Dave Holland Big Band and Dave Douglas Big Band (July 28), B.B. King and Buddy Guy (August 11); The Neville Brothers, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Trey McIntyre Dance Project and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band (August 18); Gershwin Across America (August 25); and Herbie Hancock: Seven Decades - The Birthday Celebration (September 1).

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and is home to the best and brightest in all genres of music. The 2004 season introduced audiences to a revitalized Hollywood Bowl, featuring a newly-constructed shell and stage and the addition of four stadium screens enhancing stage views in the venue. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "SummerSounds: Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 42nd season. In January 2009, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the fifth year in a row at the 20th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards; the Bowl's summer music festival has become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:
WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2010 at 8PM
HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood

FEMI KUTI & THE POSITIVE FORCE
TERENCE BLANCHARD
LULA WASHINGTON DANCE THEATRE
RICHARD BONA

Tickets ($1 - $99) are on sale now at HollywoodBowl.com, by calling 323.850.2000, in person at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office (Tuesday-Saturday, 12-6 p.m.), or through Ticketmaster. Groups of 10 or more may call 323.850.2050 for information about special rates, subject to availability.

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