The Celebration of Life Concert for longtime KJJZ and KLON on-air personality (Leonard Parker) Bubba Jackson (1944-2023) took place at The Shell, Recreation Park in Long Beach. Sponsoring the event was of course, his radio station family, along with the Long Beach Blues Society, Acclaimed Entertainment & Arts and Amazon Fresh. A park full of associates, friends and fans all came out to honor Jackson, who also was a popular concert promoter and emcee. In addition to having an impressive knowledge and appreciation of jazz, blues and Latin music, the Harlem-born announcer charmed listeners, concert audiences and musicians with his warm personality and unrivaled off-the-cuff wit and adlibbing.
Most importantly, the celebration peppered with antidotes from his colleagues overflowed with what Jackson loved more than anything else (except maybe food)—music. Blues emceed by KKJZ’s Gary “Wagman” Wagner was represented by the acoustic and Delta drenched Pearl Bailey Band and the Blues Society All-Stars, featuring smoking guitarists/singers Kid Ramos, Lester Lands, Laurie Morvan, Dig Lewis and Tim Russ. Vocalists Marguaret Love, Angela Morgan Vice President of the Houston Blues (TX) Societyalso sat in, with bandleader/keyboardist/singer/concert promoter Bill Grisolia keeping everything together.
Blues headliner Sugaray Rayford who literally just drove in from Arizona was a powerful force. He engulfed everyone in his presence for a quick 20 minute set, while also instructing the band and sound people. Without a doubt the Grammy Nominee and multi Blues Award Winner was totally in his element, firing everyone up with soulful singing, jumping about on stage and roaming around offstage into the crowd as he performed.
Jazz was highlighted by upcoming vocalists, Natalie Jacob’s Quartet with pianist Tamir Hendelman showcasing songs from her new album Sooner or Later, and Valerie Geason swinging hard alongside the John Clayton Allstars. The group also included pianist Sam Hirsh and special guest pianist David Benoit also from KKJZ for the debut of Clayton’s newly composed “Bubba Grooves.”
Also debuting was KKJZ’s Jose Rizo’s new stellar Picoso (small super spicy pepper) band with pianist John Beasley. They played new and older Mongorama and Jazz on The Latin Side All-Stars dressed selections in memory of Jackson, who was a big Latin jazz fan.
Not to be forgotten was the tune Rizo wrote for him “Bubba Boogaloo” that was spiritedly sung and scatted by Darynn Dean, with saxophonist Justo Almario soloing intensely to further excited the audience. The riveting segment ended with Mongorama’s hot descarga “Tin Marin.” Without a doubt, Bubba Jackson would have been very happy with the event—RIP. For more info go to: www.jazzandblues.org
LA Jazz Scene laments the passing of its original Publisher/Editor: Myrna Rose Daniels December 3, 1942 -July 13, 2024
Myrna is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, as well as a great amount of friends and musicians. As a single mother, she worked, attended and graduated from USC. She worked for the HeadStart Program for 20 years. She started as a parent volunteer, then she was hired as a cook and worked her way up—assistant teacher—teacher—area supervisor—expansion coordinator and became the agency’s first Personnel Manager, all the while, raising children and attending school.
At heart she wanted to write, so she decided to create the LA Jazz Scene. She was the publisher and editor. Myrna started the paper after writing the story…Blues For Mr. Monday. She stapled the pages together, took it to a jazz club and passed it out to some of the patrons. Next thing you know, LA Jazz Scene was born. On the side, she produced a record album (vinyl). What an amazing woman and all of her children helped where needed; typing, filing, invoicing, stuffing envelopes and delivering.
None of us were writers, so we did lots of other stuff and we were also parents raising her grandchildren, working our own jobs, managing apartments, etc. We also knew our mom and that she would make the paper a success. She had many wonderful writers and contributors to the paper.
Myrna featured many, many musicians on the cover and in the body of the paper. She launched careers and there are so many, I can’t begin to name them all. The Letter From The Editor was absolutely one of a kind, political, on the pulse of jazz as well and a personal view from Myna. As she always closed her column with “Hang in there” –Myrna—
Robert Comden
November 27, 1946
September 2, 2022
Survived by one brother, one sister and at the time of his death Myrna and the entire jazz community. Bob was a musician playing with many great bands, including Latin bands and was on the back of a Beach Boys album. He also taught music to many up and coming young students. He wrote his column faithfully each month. He let the jazz community know of all the happenings of other musicians. He spent lots of time in jazz clubs shmoozing with them. He was definitely having fun staying in touch his fellow musicians and promoting the music. He took 90% of the photos that were in the paper and had a delivery route at the end of the month. All for the love of jazz.