San Clemente's Beach Concert Series Kicks Off

The 13th annual series Friday featured middle school and high school jazz ensembles for the first concert.

Set against the sunset on the north side of the San Clemente Pier was the 13th annual Beach Concert Series kickoff show, the first in four concerts that will be featured at the north side of the pier this summer. The concert began at 6 p.m. with the Shorecliffs Middle School Jazz Band and ended at sunset with San Clemente High School's jazz band.

"We're joyful that we are able to bring our set up to the beach," said Beaches, Parks and Recreation Supervisor Carol Gibson. "People are able to put their toes in the sand, listen to the waves and music."

While several hundred residents ate barbecue and sipped drinks on the sand, The San Clemente High School Jazz Band impressed the crowd with talented soloists and fun familiar tunes like "Cantaloupe Island" and War's "Low Rider" among other Coltrane and Chopin classics.

"Our favorite song is 'Tenor Madness' because it features two dueling tenors," said San Clemente High School Jazz Band member Scott Daill.

Tenor Sax, trombones and smooth electric bass guitar sounds could be heard amid the crashing of the waves and the roar of the trains.

"The jazz bands are amazing and it's amazing how the teachers take the time to include this concert into their hectic schedules," Gibson said. "This will shoot off the beginning of the summer."

The remaining acts include Paperback Writer Beatles tribute band July 26, blues band Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers Aug. 9 and reggae group Common Sense on Aug. 23.

For more information about the concert series, visit www.san-clemente.org.

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