Celebrating its 25th year, the 2013 KSBR Birthday Bash Jazz Festival, presented by Saddleback College radio station KSBR (88.5 FM), returns to the Village Green at Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo, on Sunday, May 26, 2013. Returning for its second year is the  Taste of the Bash, which will again feature more than a 20 restaurants, wineries, and breweries showing off their finest creations.  The Taste is an added value so those purchasing tickets to the concert will be admitted to the Taste of the Bash for no additional charge.  The Birthday Bash is the major fundraising event for KSBR. 

 

The unique event features more than 30 contemporary jazz artists with headliners often leaving their own bands behind to play with each other. Because of contractual obligations, many of the performers cannot be announced until they actually step on stage, which makes the event even more fun and surprising.  Dave Koz, Joe Sample, Brenda Russell, Boney James, David Benoit, Hiroshima, Rick Braun, and Peter White are just a few of the “secret” stars who have appeared in the past. This year there will be at least 8 secret stars, but some of the performers who can be announced include Keiko Matsui, Spencer Day, Paul Brown, Jackiem Joyner, Chris Standring, Jeff Kashiwa, Greg Adams, Blake Aaron, Brian Simpson, Brian Bromberg, and Max Bennett. Tony Guerrero will once again be the event’s musical emcee.

 

The event will once again include a special tribute to Veterans.  Saddleback College’s Veterans Memorial is the most significant tribute to veterans at any community college campus in the nation. In recognition of this event and the role that the college’s VETS (Veterans Education and Transition Services) Center plays in the community, the festivities will include a color guard performance and a special musical tribute to kick off the concert.

 

In addition, veterans and active military personnel may purchase general admission tickets for just $30 through KSBR’s Membership Services office: (949) 582-4501. Advance sale ticket prices begin at $55; $60 at the door. General admission tickets are available at www.KSBR.org, at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, and the Saddleback College Fine Arts Ticket Office (949-582-4656).  A limited number of reserved VIP seats are still available at $110-$180 per person at www.KSBR.org.

 

The concert takes place on Sunday, May 26, 2013 at Oso Viejo Park, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Gates open at 3:30 P.M.; Taste of the Bash from 3:30-5:00 P.M.; Military Appreciation Festivities at 4:30 P.M.; Music at 5:00 P.M.

 

Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community. Having served more than 500,00 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers over 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals.  For more information, please visit www.saddleback.edu and for Fine Arts information, please visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.