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Arcadia Weekly Jul 25, 2011
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Outdoor Concert Series Boasts Fan Favorites The Fab Four And The Spazmatics
As Well As Special Performance By Big Sam’s Funky Nation
In Honor Of Louis Armstrong’s 110TH Birthday
Pasadena Entertainment and the Pasadena Convention Center have teamed to present Summer Soundzz, the ultimate Party on the Plaza featuring live music and dancing under the stars at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium Plaza. Acclaimed Tribute bands The Fab Four and The Spazmatics are set to perform at the city’s spectacular outdoor venue.
This year, for the first time, Summer Soundzz is jazzing it up with a special concert by the one and only Big Sam’s Funky Nation.
“Pasadena Entertainment is thrilled to announce the exciting line up for this year’s Summer Soundzz featuring the multi-talented Fab Four and Spazmatics as well as Big Sam’s Funky Nation, New Orleans’ hottest musical act,” said André Vener, Executive Producer of Pasadena Entertainment, the city’s premiere entertainment event production and marketing company. “This year, Pasadena turns 125. What’s more, it’s the 110th anniversary of Jazz legend Louis Armstrong’s birth. Pasadena has the unique opportunity to combine these two special occasions into the funkiest party around.”
Big Sam’s Funky Nation is touring the US, performing for 110 days in a row to celebrate the 110th birthday of Louis Armstrong and, because of Big Sam’s long standing relationship with Pasadena Entertainment, Pasadena is fortunate enough to have them perform on the only available date in their tour, August 4.
Friday, July 29 – The Fab Four
After recent sold out performances with California Philharmonic at the Festival on the Green and Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Fab Four is back by popular demand to perform its entire show at Summer Soundzz. The Fab Four Beatles tribute band sets them apart from other tribube bands with not only their precision arrangements but also to their attention to detail. With uncanny, note-for-note live renditions of Beatles’ songs, the Fab Four will make you think you are watching the real thing. This incredible stage show includes three costume changes representing every era of the Beatles. Hear record-perfect live performances of such classics as “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Yesterday,” “A Day In The Life,” “Penny Lane,” “Here Comes The Sun,” and “Hey Jude.”
Friday, August 4 – Big Sam’s Funky Nation
Big Sam’s Funky Nation is a driving force of urban funk. The only group that is not a cover band in Summer Soundzz, BSFN will perform their own amazing funk versions of covers. The band is led by trombone powerhouse, Big Sam Williams, formerly the trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, who the San Francisco Chronicle calls “the top man on the slide trombone in the birthplace of jazz.” Big Sam refuses to let the audience sit still. Between the band’s solos, Big Sam’s signature dance moves and his distinctive trombone riffs, the energy level is high voltage when this band takes the stage for a 100 minute straight set!
BSFN’s signature Noladelic Powerfunk sound masterfully combines a rock sensibility with improv-style associated with jazz and the horn-heavy front section that’s the hallmark of big band funk.
Byron Miller – Opening Act
From redwhite+bluezz to the Pasadena Jazz Fest to all over the world, Byron Miller is a long respected musician in R&B and Jazz circuit. Byron Miller ‘s style has funk and an edge to it, lead from his bass, formed by all his influences from jazz and blues to the music he heard growing up in Detroit. Miller has played with such acclaimed artists as Carlos Santana, the George Duke Band and Herbie Hancock among many others. Miller joined Luther Vandross’ band in 1988 and has been a mainstay of his touring unit ever since.
Friday, August 12 – The Spazmatics
A Pasadena favorite, The Spazmatics are celebrating their third consecutive appearance at Summer Soundzz. Seeing The Spazmatics perform conjures up fond memories of roller skating and lip syncing with a brush in front of a mirror. Fans of 80s music should pull out their parachute pants, grab their pocket protectors and get ready for the most rockin’ 80s new wave show in the world. Formed in 2005, band members Geoffrey, Cecil, Bjorn and Al list the following among their musical influences: Rick Springfield, Devo, Billy Idol, Big Country, Berlin, Duran Duran, The GoGos, Kym Wilde, Culture Club, WHAM, Depeche Mode, Adam Ant, The Romantics, INXS, Dead or Alive, New Order, and The Clash.
Held in the sprawling outdoor plaza in front of the Civic Auditorium at 300 E. Green Street, concerts start at 7:30 p.m., with gates opening at 6:30 p.m. Single ticket prices for table seats range from $20 to $75. Tickets can be purchased by calling Pasadena Entertainment at (626) 304-0333 or by visiting, ticketmaster.com/summersoundzz or the Pasadena Civic Auditorium Box Office on Fridays.
About Pasadena Entertainment
Pasadena Entertainment is a full service entertainment and event marketing and production company that specializes in creating memorable experiences and large scale productions -for a variety of city, corporate, charity and sports organizations.
Under the guidance of Andre Vener’s experienced hand, along with partners S. Robert and Denise Zeilstra, Pasadena Entertainment has cemented its position as the go to company that brings such high-profile events as the California Philharmonic’s Festival on the Green summer concert series, the Pasadena Jazz Fest, the annual Pasadena Wine and Jazz Walk as well as the Pasadena Wine Festival to life. The company also works with large organizations, to produce special events, such as LA Galaxy, Westfield and Santa Anita Race Track. Recently, Pasadena Entertainment presented, as well as helped to produce, the 125th Birthday Celebration for the City of Pasadena, at the Pasadena Museum of History.
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