Photo courtesy Harold Wherry
The Idyllwild Summer Concert Series’ 16th season ends with great dancing music from one of pop music’s greatest eras — Harold Wherry and his Blue Breeze Band return with their high-energy Motown, R&B, soul, funk and jazz.
This year, Wherry adds singer Laia Jones who will mix it up with some of the biggest hits of Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin and Martha Reeves (of Martha and the Vandellas). Memphis native Jones will season her soulful sounds with her gospel upbringing that began at age 7 while singing in her church choir. Jones’ singing career has covered rock, gospel and R&B. She has worked with Mary J. Blige, Rod Stewart and Dolly Parton, among others.
Wherry promises this will not be a night for sitting still and listening quietly with your hands folded respectfully in your lap, or wrapped meditatively around your wine glass. You must and you will be dancing.
Returning with guitar statesman Wherry are Chicago native Bob Henley III on vocals; Richard Moorings on keyboards, vocals and trombone; Detroit native Darryl Bomar on 4-, 5- and 6-string electric bass guitar and vocals; Buster Harrell on drums and vocals; Tim Anderson on tenor sax and vocals; and Los Angeles native Tyrone Griffin on trumpet, flugelhorn and vocals.
Wherry and band members have worked with the royalty of Motown and R&B including Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Billy Preston, The Four Tops and The Delphonics.
Blue Breeze takes the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday Aug. 20. The opening act, Jac Jacaruso, starts at 6 p.m.
This will be the last chance for concert goers to support the series and show appreciation for the highly diversified musical season Ken Dahleen and his ISCS board have presented this summer. When the donation jars are passed, please be generous. This is a critical juncture for Dahleen and board inasmuch as donations and sponsorships are still almost $10,000 short of what is needed to meet budget for the season. Rain dampened attendance for one concert and threatened rain may have affected another.
So bring chairs, comfort food, champagne, camaraderie and cash — lots of cash. Sponsors and donors can contact Dahleen directly at 951-659-2229 or send checks to P.O. Box 1542, Idyllwild, CA 92549.
For more about Blue Breeze, visit www.bluebreezeband.com. For more about ISCS, visit www.idyllwildsummerconcerts.com.