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Music as Hot as the Desert: The Desert Lexus Jazz Festival

Under the bright sun in Coachella Valley, music month is beginning to draw to a close.  After three weekends of live music festival, ranging from the rock and roll nature of Coachella Music and Arts festival to the country twang of the Stagecoach Festival, the valley will quiet down for a little while as the summer months draw near.  Closing down the month long celebration is the Desert Lexus Jazz festival slated for this upcoming Saturday, May 7. While the forecast this weekend in Indian Wells is promising for cooler weather (80 degrees), the music promises to keep the heat on.

The festival, in its 17th year, has been held at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, since 2014.  Home to one of the largest and most prestigious professional tennis tournaments, the Indian Wells Masters, the stadium will welcome around 2,000 jazz enthusiasts for this concert that promises music to remember.  Brian Culbertson, a Chicago-born musician who has been at the forefront of jazz-funk, is headlining the show along with Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers.

For music lovers looking to travel to Indian Wells for the event, there are hotel packages that include tickets to the show.  Make a weekend out of the show and spend a few extra days in the Coachella Valley, flirting with lady luck at one of the many Las Vegas-style casinos like the Emerald Desert RV Resort or the Augustine Casino.

In anticipation for the Desert Lexus Jazz Festival, we talked to one of the festival’s promoters, musician Jimi “Fitz” Fitzgerald about what visitors can expect from the show!

 

RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.

JF: It's a Music, Food, wine, and art event wrapping up Music Month in the Coachella Valley (after two weekends of The Coachella Music Festival and a weekend of the Stagecoach Festival).

 

RAL: How long has the event been running?

JF: This is our​ 17th Year for Desert Lexus Jazz and the third year in this particular location; the Indian Wells Tennis Garden

 

RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?

JF: We draw around 2,000 people

 

RAL: What is the typical demographic makeup of the event? Children? Families? Couples?

JF:  Couples.  It’s a perfect date night music event.  The setting is the beautiful California Desert in the world class city of Indian Wells, home of the BNP Paribas Open, the fifth largest tennis tournament in the world.

 

RAL:  What makes this event unique?

JF:  The experience!  ​Desert Lexus Jazz is an upscale music event in a beautiful setting with great food offerings, world-class music under a magical desert sky. The past couple of years have featured Dave Koz Summer Horns with Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Richard Elliott, and Gerald Albright.  We’ve also had Euge Groove and Elliott Yamin who you might remember from American Idol.

​This year's talent will be an amazing mix of jazz, funk, rock and soul with Brian Culbertson and Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers. You can expect dynamic performances with a party vibe!

 

RAL:  Take me through a day at the event...what can I expect as an attendee?

JF: Gates open at 5:30 - Enjoy the young Saxophone sensation Chase Huna as he entertains the patrons arriving ​through​ the gates. Cruise the grounds and enjoy the multiple food offerings, hang out at the amazing four-sided rumchata bar. Stroll around and view the music themed paintings and larger than life sculptures on display as well as the hot new Lexus car models, then get ready to party at 7:00pm when Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers hit the stage followed by Brian Culbertson at 8:30pm.

Concessions are open for the event including sear, satay, and kabob. Piero’s Pizza Vino will be on hand with their​ pizza oven and popular desert favorite SHERMAN'S DELI will be serving up their taste treats. There are picnic tables in the lawn area and plenty of tables and chairs all around the rumchata bar to enjoy the offerings.  ​

The event takes place in the beautiful performance pavilion at The Indian Wells Tennis Garden in our magical desert paradise!​ The stage, sound and lights will not disappoint.

 

RAL:  What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging? 

JF: The Desert has no shortage of great hotel accommodations big and small. Go to: VisitGreaterPalmSprings.com

 

RAL:  Are there any lodging specials that are set up specifically for the event?

JF: Hyatt Regency Indian Wells is our host hotel and is offering weekend specials and packages, which include concert tickets.

 

RAL: What does this event mean to the community?

JF:  It calls attention to the special City of Indian Wells the crown jewel of the Coachella Valley known for its world-class tennis, ​golf courses, spas, ​restaurants, country clubs, as well as the magnificent homes in the area.  

 

RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?

JF:  Oh yes, Out-of-towners love to escape to the desert.​

 

RAL: Why should people come to your event?

JF:  ​Because it's simply a wonderful evening out and a great experience beginning with free parking!  Who doesn't love world-class music, in a magical setting, with plenty of food and beverage offerings, plenty of seating, and ease of moving around?  You don't have to be confined to your seat throughout the event you can obtain more taste treats and beverages never missing a moment of the music or the show as (it's all audible and visible from our food vendors and bars).  And if your feet can't keep from dancing then get up and dance you're here to enjoy the party!  Just please be mindful of those seating behind you!

 

For more information about The Desert Lexus Jazz Festival, please visit their website