Gracious, garrulous and generously talented, Llew Matthews, longtime Nancy Wilson music director, brings his brand of smooth and cool to the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series. New York City-born Matthews does it all — pianist, arranger, singer and conductor. He also tells good stories about his musical evolution from ukulele player at four to French horn…

Jazz as a form is delicious, surprising, exciting and inspirational — oh yes, and fun. This year’s menu, as crafted by festival gastronomists Marshall Hawkins and John Newman, has power, praise, passion and persuasion. And this musical mélange happens on all three stages — the main stage Holmes Amphitheatre for festival headliners, Stephens Hall for…