Briefly in Datebook

Kenny G performs holiday concert at The Center

Saxophonist Kenny G will perform a holiday concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at

the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The program, “Home for the

Holidays,” includes musical styles that showcase the artist’s

wide-ranging talent with rhythm and blues, pop, funk and smooth jazz.

The performance includes selections from Kenny G’s 1994 album

“Miracles: The Holiday Album,” which became the top selling holiday album

and reached No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.

Kenny G, a Grammy Award-winning musician known for the way he blows

into his sax using just one side of his mouth, began playing music as a

youngster when his mother rented him a saxophone. His love of the

instrument continued into his teens when he landed his first professional

job as a soloist for Barry White.

While in college, his band director encouraged him to study the greats

such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. He was able to

draw from those artists and more to create the unmistakable sound he has

today.

The Orange County Performing Arts Center is at 600 Town Center Drive,

Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 740-7878.

‘Bash ‘99’ returns to the DoubleTree

The 29th annual Orange County Musicians’ Festival “Bash ‘99” is set

for Sunday at the DoubleTree Hotel.

The festival features more than 300 musicians from Orange County

performing on five stages, delivering the sounds of swing, big band,

Dixieland, classical and jazz. Dancing is encouraged.

Musicians and bands include the Rex Thompson Quartet, Tracy Wells Big

Band, Dixie Rhythm Rambler Reunion Band, Cal State Fullerton’s horn

ensemble, saxophonist Leo Potts with pianist Jack Reidling, the El Real

Chamber Players and many more.

The bash begins at noon. The DoubleTree is at 3050 Bristol St., Costa

Mesa. For a complete lineup and more information, call (714) 546-8166.

Pianist Brad Mehldau to perform at Jazz Club

Pianist Brad Mehldau will perform in the Jazz Club at the Orange

County Performing Arts Center Dec. 3 and 4.

Mehldau, a rising star in the jazz scene, started playing the piano at

age 4 and took lessons until he was 14. He later attended the New School

for Social Research in Manhattan, where he studied with notable pianists

Junior Mance, Kenny Werner and Fred Hersch.

Through meeting other musicians, Mehldau began touring the United

States and Europe and recording albums as a backup musician. He now has

his own band, the Brad Mehldau Trio, featuring Larry Grenadier on bass

and Jorge Rossy on drums.

The trio will perform at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday. Mehldau will perform solo at the 9:30 p.m. Saturday concert.

The Center is at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. For more information,

call (724) 556-ARTS.