Smooth as silk

Last year, Paul “Shilts” Weimar enjoyed the Huntington Beach Smooth Jazz Series as a guest. Now, thanks to the recording contract he signed after one of the concerts, the saxophone player is up on stage for this year’s shows.

Weimar is the opening act Saturday in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Resort in Huntington Beach.

But none of this likely would have happened if he’d stayed in Britain.

“I found myself spending more time in an airplane than on a stage,” said Weimar, who has played the sax since his teen years in London. The 42-year-old and his wife decided it was time to move the family to the “world hub” of smooth jazz, Los Angeles.

Two years later, his friend, Betty Bennish, felt the timing was right to get Weimar on stage, so she invited him to play this year’s concert series. Weimar is elated about opening for A Peter White Christmas 2006, the first installment of a two-part BB Jazz concert series from Betty and Corky Bennish at the Hyatt.

In London, he recorded with such rock icons asDavid Bowie, Jimmy Page and Bill Wyman. It was easier to stand out in that scene, Weimar said.

There were more opportunities for Weimar in Southern California, but the move presented other obstacles.

“You’ve got more competition out here,” Weimar said. “You have to have some talent and personality, something they seem to hone in on.”

But Weimar, pleased with his record label’s backing, feels confident in his latest release, “HeadBoppin.”

“It’s got more of a Euro flavor to it, kind of a bounce to it,” Weimar said. “That’s why I called it ‘HeadBoppin.’ It’s what people do when they hear my music.”

Weimar performs at 7 p.m. and White will take the stage around 8:30 p.m., sharing the spotlight with Mindi Abair and Rick Braun, all very talented artists, Bennish said.

The Bennishes could not be happier with this year’s lineup. Corky Bennish has been working around the clock scheduling, selling tickets and working with the resort.

This is BB Jazz’s second year hosting the concert at the Hyatt since its move from the Huntington Beach Central Library.

“We’re thrilled,” Betty Bennish said. “A lot more people know about it and it’s so elegant.

“We don’t have many venues that elegant in Southern California.”

Bar-style seating, dancing and dinner tables will be available, Betty Bennish said.

Prices range between $55 and $145, with some tickets including dinner and the show. Plus, the hotel is offering a special overnight package for those who do not want to go far after the concert.

For $260, the Jazz Package gives guests one night at the hotel, complimentary breakfast buffet and free valet, and all taxes are included. Concert tickets are sold separately through the Bennishes’ website, www.bbjazz.com, or you can call (714) 377-7574.

A room alone goes for $285 the same evening, hotel staff said.