Gardens of the World to host jazz concerts

Gardens of the World community park will add the sound of music to its exquisite international gardens as it hosts the fourth annual program of summer jazz concerts.

All concerts are from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sundays at 2001 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, opposite the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Admission is free. Lawn seating is available. There is no smoking on the premises and pets are not permitted. Glassware is not permissible although picnic baskets are welcome.

The schedule for summer jazz concerts at Gardens of the World is as follows.

On July 23, listen to the big band sounds of Chris Walden, an award-winning composer/arranger and trumpet player. Walden leads his own big band, recruited from top studio musicians based in Los Angeles.

On July 30, Luis Munoz brings his ensemble to perform "beautiful music that sets the mood for total enchantment," according to the concert's organizers.

On Aug. 6, catch the Big Band of Brad Carow and Joe Gray. Carow is a composer for television and Gray is a seasoned musician who has played with many of Los Angeles' big bands for more than two decades.

On Aug. 13, Sal Cracchiolo and Melanie Jackson will perform a blend of jazz standards and originals with a Latin touch. Their debut CD was nominated for a Latin Grammy award in 2001.

On Aug. 20, Steve Huffsteter's Big Band will showcase some of Hollywood's finest musicians. His latest production, "Gathered Around," features his 19-piece "Pan-Millennium Ensemble" playing Huffsteter's compositions. On Aug. 27, the spirited mu

sicians of the Ulysses S. Jazz Band will play traditional and classic New Orleans jazz.

Sponsors of this summer's jazz concert series are the Hogan Family Foundation, Dole Food Company, realtor Pat Helton and First Private Bank & Trust.

For information, call (805) 557-1135. Parking is available along Thousand Oaks Boulevard.