Grammy-winner Bryson to bring soulful vocals to jazz festival

Peabo Bryson Two-time Grammy winner Peabo Bryson believes in the power of music.

The performer, who’s sung hit ballads and love songs for the past three decades, will headline the Camarillo Art and Jazz Festival’s “Jazz Under the Stars” concert Sat., Aug. 29, at the Pleasant Valley Outdoor Performance Center in Old Town Camarillo.

“Music is spiritual. . . . Every moment of our lives is marked to some kind of music,” Bryson said.

He said you’ll hear an old song and almost instantly remember where you were, who you were with and how you felt about the person at the time.

“There’s not a soul on this earth that’s not used music to try to make themselves feel better in some way, shape or form,” he said during a phone interview last week from his home in Atlanta. “We use it to celebrate. We search it to find answers. It’s like, there’s the Bible, and then there’s music; it’s whatever you believe in, and then there’s music.”

Bryson, 58, began his recording career at the age of 18. His vocals became hits in the ’70s and ’80s, with “I’m So into You,” “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” and “Can You Stop the Rain,” to name a few.

In 1992, he won a Grammy for his duet with Celine Dion on Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” soundtrack. The following year he won another Grammy when he paired with Regina Belle for “A Whole New World” in Disney’s movie “Aladdin.”

Bryson ended the 1990s with the CD “Unconditional Love” and released “Missing You” in 2007.

“Music is the most powerful tool on this planet, more powerful than a nuclear weapon,” Bryson said. Music can, in fact, cause nations to dismantle their nuclear weapons, he said, and referred to the lyrics “If the Russians love their children, too,” in Sting’s 1985 release “Russians.”

A South Carolina native, Bryson credits the longevity of his musical career to the unconditional love of his parents and the spiritual values they imparted.

“That grounded me for all my life,” the selfdescribed “Southern gent” said.

He said, with a smile, that one of the more difficult aspects of working in the music industry is “staying viable and staying sexy.” But it can be achieved through choices made early in life.

He said “no” to drugs long before it was a catch phrase and demands the same of the professionals he hires. He enjoys a vigorous game of basketball and is often found on the links. A 10K runner for many years, Bryson stills runs several times a week.

He said he’s reaping the rewards now. People often mistake his three grandchildren for his children. At the golf driving range recently, a man in his 40s stopped Bryson to introduce his three children. “These are ones that you brought into the world,” the man told Bryson, hinting at the romantic influence of his songs.

“What a tremendous compliment that is,” Bryson said.

He’s working on new songs that could be released early next year. He said the compositions will reflect the various cultures and tastes in music he’s experienced traveling the globe and are a bit “hipper” than people might expect from him. But they won’t compromise who he is as an artist and composer.

“It took me all my life to become me, and I’m not interested in trading that in for the flavor of the month,” he said, laughing.

In his Camarillo appearance, Bryson said, the audience can expect a performance to remember, with “well-thought-out excerpts” from his past work. He’ll play off the energy of the crowd and make them feel as much a part of the performance as he is.

Jessy J

But before Bryson takes the stage, saxophonist Jessy J will perform.

Jessy J’s “Tequila Moon,” released last year, was named the Radio and Records’ Debut Artist of the Year. The title track spent eight weeks as Billboard’s No. 1 jazz song, and Jessy J was the cover story for Jazziz magazine in May 2008.

The young singer and musician grew up in Southern California playing several instruments, including the piano and the flute. She graduated with a degree in jazz studies from the University of Southern California and has toured with The Temptations and Jessica Simpson.

Jessy J has performed at jazz festivals in Las Vegas, San Diego and Catalina Island and with smooth-jazz artists Gerald Albright, Euge Groove, Jeff Lorber and others. She credits her Latin background and jazz greats Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane as musical influences.

In a phone interview last week from New Jersey, where she’s on tour, Jessy J said she plans to connect emotionally with the Camarillo audience by responding to their reactions to her performance.

“We’re going to have fun; that’s the No. 1 thing,” said Jessy J, who’s known for dancing while performing. “I love to just be in the moment on stage.”

Earlier this month, Jessy J released her “True Love” CD, which rose to No. 7 on Billboard’s jazz album chart. She will give the first live performance of the song “Baila!” from the CD at the jazz festival.

Jessy J said being one of a handful of female saxophone players makes for a more enticing career.

“I’ve always wanted to be different and original and kind of unique in a way,” she said. “It’s what I love to do, and I feel so passionately about it.”

The day-long Camarillo Art and Jazz Festival starts tomorrow at 8 a.m. with a farmers market and concludes with the evening concert, which features an opening performance by LaNesha Baca at 5 p.m., Jessy J at 6:30 p.m. and headliner Peabo Bryson at 8:15 p.m.

To purchase tickets or for a complete schedule, visit www .camarilloartandjazz.com.