Graham Dechter, Saturday’s honored, with Marshall Hawkins. Photos by J.P. Crumrine
Local jazz icon Marshall Hawkins brought in a band of brothers, and a sister or two, to the first ever, post Jazz in the Pines, evening Town Jazz concerts on Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28. The event, a co-production of the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce and the Idyllwild Business Roundtable and hosted at Jo’An’s Restaurant’s garden setting, was by all measures a great success.
Charles Owens, saxophonist, playing the soprano sax.The Saturday event drew about 250 patrons and Sunday’s about 150. Adjacent core merchants stayed open and offered discounts to any showing their Hawkins wristband. Those sitting in the garden, drinking and eating and listening to some stellar jazz, remarked how beautiful the town looked all lit up for the occasion.
Saturday night honored up-and-coming jazz guitarist Graham Dechter, Idyllwild Arts graduate and guitar chair, from the age of 19, with the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Dechter’s first CD, the 2009 release “Right on Time,” hit number 11 on the jazz charts. His second CD is about to be released. Dechter surprised and honored his friend, teacher and mentor, Hawkins, by canceling a gig to be there.
Daniel JacksonDechter sat in with the brilliant musicians Hawkins assembled — Hawkins on bass, icon and Sunday honoree Daniel Jackson on sax, Gilbert Castellanos on trumpet, Bob Boss on guitar, Mikan Zlatkovich on piano, Roy Gonzales on Latin percussion on Saturday and Najite on African percussion on Sunday, Yve Evans on vocals and surprise guest, sax man Charles Owens, another jazz lion. Tap dancing percussionist Claudia Gomez Vorce traded eights with the drummer to the delight of the audience. Part of the crowd at the In Town Jazz Concert.
Animal Rescue Friends of Idyllwild, in an effort to raise funds to provide medical care for low-income families’ pets, are hosting a Pets of the Year Contest. Funds raised also will help fund medical testing and treatment for senior pets coming into ARF’s care. There is no entry fee. Proud four-paw, four-footed or two-claw parents…
The Inland Valley String Institute, which serves string players from Idyllwild, Hemet, San Jacinto and surrounding areas, just received a very generous grant from the Mary Austin Scholarship Grant program. Here Institute founding director, Anna Pechanec Ancheta accepts the check from Doug Austin.
On Friday, May 11, Idyllwild School hosted a tea at Gary Parton’s lilac garden to honor all the volunteers who have helped the students, staff and faculty this year.
65 years ago – 1950 Angling in the area had never been so good. More than 9,000 catchable-sized trout had been planted in lakes Hemet and Fulmor. 60 years ago – 1955 The Idyllwild Fire Protection District’s educational program was very effective. This year, the number of fire losses on the Hill was fewer than…
Walter Parks knows history and is a good story teller. Stanford B.A. and M.B.A. grad, he has long been associated with Idyllwild Arts, from its earliest days. He is well qualified to discuss the school and its evolution from its founding in 1946. The Idyllwild Arts Foundation is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary this year….
Saturday night honored up-and-coming jazz guitarist Graham Dechter, Idyllwild Arts graduate and guitar chair, from the age of 19, with the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Dechter’s first CD, the 2009 release “Right on Time,” hit number 11 on the jazz charts. His second CD is about to be released. Dechter surprised and honored his friend, teacher and mentor, Hawkins, by canceling a gig to be there. 
