Smooth sounds

Mike Sciacca

When Betty Bennish tossed around the idea of staging a jazz event in

Huntington Beach a few years ago, she envisioned one specific

performer for the playbill.

In fact, bass virtuoso Brian Bromberg, the performer she had in

mind, was the first jazz artist Bennish called to discuss the idea.

“He was one of the reasons I started this jazz series,” Bennish

said of her friend. “He was really supportive of the idea and told me

to ‘go for it.’ To get Brian, now, well, I can’t even tell you how

special this is.”

Bromberg didn’t play the first year of the series, as the timing

had to be right, both said.

But that time has arrived.

Bromberg, a resident of the San Fernando Valley, finally comes to

Surf City on Saturday night to give two performances at the

Huntington Beach Library Theatre.

He’s the third installment of the six-part 2003 Huntington Beach

Smooth Jazz Series.

Bennish and her husband, Corky, are the founders of BB Jazz, a

nonprofit organization. The Huntington Beach couple has delivered

smooth jazz to the community through BB Jazz with proceeds from the

series benefiting children with autism.

The 2003 series began in February with the urban groove sounds of

the group, Cool Jazz Collective and continued in March with Euge

Groove, featuring saxophonist Steven Eugene Grove.

Saxophonist Marion Meadows is scheduled to play the night of June

7.

Landing Bromberg, who said he rarely does local performances, was

just what Bennish desired.

“He plays smooth jazz, traditional and fusion...a little bit of

everything,” she said. “He’s just a tremendous talent. He’s played

with the best and his career has been phenomenal. Brian’s a

musician’s musician.”

Bromberg has toured and performed throughout the world with many

of the great jazz musicians of our time.

At 19, he toured around the world for nearly a year with legendary

jazz saxophonist Stan Getz’s quintet. Others he has worked with on an

impressive and eclectic list include Dizzy Gillespie, Elvis Costello,

Herbie Hancock, Lionel Hampton, Woody Shaw, Sarah Vaughn, Stanley

Jordan and Dianna Krall.

Bromberg, who has been hailed by critics as the “greatest bass

player in the world,” also has played on several movie soundtracks

including “The Fabulous Baker Boys,” “The Preacher’s Wife” and “Hope

Floats.”

His latest release is titled, “Jaco,” a tribute CD to the music

and performances of legendary bassist, Jaco Pastorius.

“I just really enjoy what I do,” said Bromberg, who owns his own

studio.

When he’s not recording, he generally can be found in his studio

working as a producer, arranger and composer.

“We plan to offer a little bit of everything at Saturday’s show,

from really funky to smooth jazz,” he said. “We’ll play some of our

songs that are familiar to jazz listeners, too.

“Betty and I have been good friends for some time, and I’m happy

to do this for her and I’m really looking forward to playing

Huntington Beach.”

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at [email protected].