Concord Jazz Festival finds a cool groove with Carlos Reyes concert

CONCORD, CA (August 5, 2022) —The second day of Concord’s Jazz Festival brought a big crowd to Todos Santos Plaza Thursday evening.

The weather was balmy and the music cool. Locals have enjoyed Thursday Music and Market concerts all summer, but the Aug. 4 performance doubled as part of the annual 5-day Jazz Festival.

Reyes brought some friends and special guests along, including singer and keyboardist Janice Maxie Reed who he has known since childhood. Tal Morris played guitar. Other band members included Julie Homi on keyboards and Billy Johnson on drums.

“During the pandemic,” Reyes told the crowd, “Janice and I did things you wouldn’t believe. We played in parking lots. And we played in cul de sacs. We played in living rooms that were so gigantic but only had 2 people. But you know what? We thank god that we got the chance to play music because music is healing.”

Reyes made his debut on harp with the Oakland Symphony and his debut on the violin with the Oakland Youth Symphony at just fourteen years of age. He has worked in the professional recording industry many years.

While still in his teens, Reyes performed instrumental background music for the children’s shows “Sesame Street” and “Villa Alegre.” He has toured the world and shared stages with many greats including Wynona Judd, Willie Nelson and the Doobie Brothers.

2022 Jazz Festival

The Concord Jazz Festival kicked off on Wednesday with a performance by the Jinx Jones Trio at The Veranda Shopping Center. It continues through the weekend with the following events:

• August 5: Glib Rig performs at Jazz Night at the Concord Tap House, 5pm to 7pm. The show is FREE and features special guest KJ Focus.
• August 6: The sounds of jazz will fill Downtown Concord during Jazz in the Park, 1pm to 4pm in Todos Santos Plaza featuring performances by Chaz Gunter and special guest Howard Wiley. This show is FREE.
• August 7: Java & Jazz returns with Stratify and special guest KJ Focus. This final day of the festival takes place at the Concord Museum and Event Center from 11am to 2pm. There is a $15 fee and includes a collectible cup and unlimited pours of iced coffee and iced tea (while supplies last). Proceeds benefit the Concord Historic Society.

Find a full calendar of all events including registration links for each HERE.

The summer of 69

Concord has had a long and passionate bond with jazz. The first Jazz in the Park Festival happened in 1969, with over 17,000 in attendance. The event was held in an undeveloped 8-acre field next to Concord High School, now known as Dave Brubeck Park. That first festival was the inspiration of jazz devotee and local businessman, Carl Jefferson. The City of Concord supported the plan. The festival’s success established a jazz influence in Concord and led to the start of Concord Jazz Records and the building of the Concord Pavilion.