The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden welcomes jazz legend Bennie Maupin and his friends for a special summer evening of cool jazz and wine. As he approaches his 83rd birthday on August 29, Maupin continues to actively perform and teach in Europe and the United States. In April, he was at the Philharmonie De Paris, as a featured guest artist on trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire’s concert, Bird and Basquiat: Now’s The Time, orchestrated as a dream encounter between Basquiat and Charlie Parker.
Bennie Maupin is perhaps best-known for his atmospheric bass clarinet playing on Miles Davis’ classic Bitches Brew album, as well as other Miles Davis recordings such as Big Fun, Jack Johnson, and On the Corner. He was a founding member of Herbie Hancock’s seminal band, The Headhunters, as well as a performer and composer in Hancock’s influential Mwandishi Band.
The August 27 performance will take place in the garden with the beautiful teahouse as a backdrop. Chairs will be available but guests are welcome to sit anywhere in the garden they are comfortable. Bennie will bring his Los Angeles ensemble featuring David Arnay (piano/keyboard), Darek Oles (bass), Kenny Sara (drums) and Eric McKain (percussion). The band has been active in various permutations for almost thirty years, with performances at prominent jazz festivals and venues including the Arroyo Seco Festival, Watts’ Day of the Drum, World Stage and Blue Whale. All have been tremendous favorites at the garden before.
Admission is $30 each and we expect this concert to sell out so advance registration on the garden’s website is recommended. japanesegardenpasadena.com
Parking is in a lot at the corner of S. Orange Grove Dr. and W. State Street. The lot’s entrance is at 355 W. State Street and it is a short walk north on Orange Grove to Arlington Drive. Limited handicap parking is available in the parking area on the east side of the garden.
Calendar Listing
The Bennie Maupin Ensemble
Sunday, August 27, 2023
5:30 p.m. (Gates open at 5:00 p.m.)
$30 per person (Children 12 and under admitted free)
270 Arlington Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105
