Venice-based Dustbowl Revival to Kick Off Free Jazz Concerts

Dustbowl Revival, the Venice-based band that won best Americana Song of the Year from the Independent Music Awards, will launch Santa Monica's seventh annual Jazz on the Lawn summer concert series.

Bring a picnic, blanket and beach chair for the Sunday evening concerts that run from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 5 through Aug. 26. The series will take place at a new location this year, .

Each week features a different style of jazz: Dustbowl Revival will play New Orleans swing, gypsy jazz, Appalachian folk and jug-band blues on Aug. 5; the Zane Musa Quartet will play a sax-led blend of traditional jazz with contemporary music on Aug. 12; The Ronnie Gutierrez Band featuring Leslie Paula with old school salsa, cha cha and Latin Jazz, including a free salsa lesson at 4:30 p.m. (details below) will play Aug. 19; and for the final concert on Aug. 26, Rogelio Mitchell & Friends will play Calypso, reggae, soca and jazz.

Santa Monica's Cultural Affairs Division organizes the series, and says the new location offers more space, plus a children’s playground, restrooms and nearby parking. Free parking is available after 3:30 p.m. across the street, at 1831 Stewart St. and a free bike valet is available in the Stewart Street Park lot, at 1836 Stewart St.

Beachy Cream will sell 100 percent organic ice cream Aug. 5 and 12, and Frozen Crush, will serve Italian ice Aug. 19 and 26. Alili’s Fresh Fruit will be on hand each week to serve summer fruit. Complimentary drinks will be provided by IZZE Beverage Company and Just Chill Inc.

2012 LINE-UP

Dustbowl Revival (Aug. 5)

Dustbowl Revival is a Venice-based roots and jazz collective. Featuring a talented cross-section of both local jazz and bluegrass musicians, the band has toured the West bringing their unique blend of New Orleans swing, gypsy jazz, Appalachian folk and jug-band blues to rapturous audiences. With instrumentation that ranges from trombone, clarinet, tuba and trumpet to mandolin, fiddle and banjo it doesn't take long for the crowd to get up and start dancing. It recently won best Americana Song of the Year from the Independent Music Awards.

Zane Musa Quartet (Aug. 12)

Zane Musa plays a powerful sax, combining his roots in traditional jazz with music of the contemporary era. His music effortlessly crosses boundaries, creating fresh combinations and new sounds.  

The Ronnie Gutierrez Band featuring Leslie Paula (Aug. 19)

Ronnie Gutierrez is a versatile and talented percussionist and drummer whose band plays styles ranging from Afro Cuban and Brazilian to Latin jazz, including old school salsa and originals. Come early for a salsa lesson with Francisco and Stacey Martinez from The Dance Family Studio from 4:30-5 p.m.

Rogelio Mitchell & Friends (Aug. 26)

Panamanian-born Rogelio Mitchell has drawn from the musical styles of the Caribbean islands to create a sound rich in rhythm and harmony. With his unique blend of calypso, reggae, soca and jazz, Mitchell has toured extensively throughout Central and South America and has appeared at such festivals and music series’ as the Santa Barbara Jazz Festival, LACMA Latin Sounds and the Distant Accords Awards.