Community Enjoys Jazz on the Grass

The sultry sound of saxophone, double bass, drums, piano, and vocals coming together filled the air at the Jazz on the Grass music festival on Saturday, Aug. 17. San Bernardino community members gathered at the Life Changing Ministries (LCM) lawn in anticipation of the first annual Jazz on the Grass music festival. Attendees enjoyed music from local musicians such at Arie Howard, Ricky and Friends, and Sherry Williams, to name a few. Besides music, those in attendance also enjoyed food from the various vendors that were there, as well as do a little retail shopping from local boutiques who had stalls at the festival. “We wanted to do something that was free for the community to be able to participate in, without having to spend a lot of money to come out and enjoy,” said Angelia Watts, Graphic Director and Photographer at LCM. “I think jazz is also universal with everybody, you know, from young kids to the very elderly; I think everybody loves jazz.” Attendees arrived early to get a good spot in the shade to escape the August heat for the 3 p.m. opening act. “We have children, teenagers, seniors, all ages are represented here,” said Dr. Reginald Woods, Pastor at LCM and Jazz on the Grass visionary. The idea of holding a jazz concert at the church was mainly that of Dr. Woods, an avid jazz lover, and his wife, Nicole Woods. “My husband and I went to a jazz concert about a year ago and that is where we had the vision to bring this home [to the church] and have something for the community,” said Nicole. “We are fortunate to have this much property with this much green grass. My wife and I were at a jazz concert in Lake Perris last year. We said we could do this and bring this to our neighborhood, so that’s what we did,” added Dr. Woods. According to Mrs. Woods, she and her husband had help with their vision, in part thanks to the members of their congregation, who took the idea and worked hard to make it a reality. Fran Morris, Coordinator of Events at LCM, can attest to that. “In five short months we put this all together. It was a lot of hard work but I had a great committee. Everyone took a job and we made sure the job got done. Once we got everything done, we were able to get the volunteers out. They helped us get everything done the day of,” stated Morris. With the turnout this year, Dr. Woods thinks the Jazz on the Grass Music Festival has the potential to get a bigger turn out next year. “We think it can really blow up,” he said, adding that it is rare for a jazz concert to be free. “If the people liked it, we will work harder to bring it back better for next year,” said Mrs. Woods, adding to her husband’s hope of making this event an annual one. “It’s going to get bigger and better every year,” added Morris.