Playboy Jazz Festival at The Hollywood Bowl

I was at the playboy festival on Saturday June 13, 2015 it was a great experience, I parked near Highland and Hollywood Blvd, and walk there ½ mile, a little uphill but no problem for me am 62, had a great time very friendly people, excelent musicians, excelent sound, very nice atmosphere was there for 7 hours, time went fast, you can even bring as much food as you want and your own drinks, a lot of happy people sharing a good time.

Ah-​Mazing!
Review for Playboy Jazz Festival June 13, 2015.
— I have been wanting to attend this festival for a few years now. Every year something comes up. So this year I made it a point to attend. I subscribed to The mailing list via LA Phil and bought tickets the day they became available. Once I buy my tickets, Im going. Lol. Got good seats, seat M2.
— Tips: Buy an extra seat. The seats are relatively close, so buy an extra seat so you can spread out. Make sure your cooler can fit under your seat, otherwise getting in and out of the rows will b difficult. Dont come early. Lol, that sounds bad… but its true. The event runs from 3 – 10:30, and the best acts come on after 5ish. The early acts are good too, but by the end you will be run down.
— The best acts were: A Sacred Steel Love Supreme, Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Aloe Blacc
Weather was great, people were even better.

This update is for Sunday… The sound seemed much better today but still no real Jazz. I know Fantasia is not a Jazz artist, but really… she provided at least a wonderful performance that had the entire audience on their feet. For everyone that listens to the Wave 94.7 they rarely play Jazz either anymore. Not worth the money until they get things right.
It can’t be that hard!!!

I love this venue. The Hollywood Bowl is such a beautiful experience! I am repeat season ticket holder for the Jazz Concerts and this is my 4^th year attending the Playboy Jazz Fest. I took my boyfriend for his first time as he is a huge Jazz fan. We were really disappointed with this year’s lineup. This was barely a Jazz Festival. I agree with another reviewer: There are so many great Jazz artists that should be booked for this, that weren’t. Jose James (who was off key) and Fantasia? Really? Fantasia is a true performer and out of them all, I enjoyed her the most. But if I wanted R&B I would have attended an R&B festival, not Jazz. Hopefully the Philharmonic gets the lineup right, next year. Otherwise, I will spend my $ 400.00 elsewhere.

One star for the overall production. Bad choices for the lineup. The booker should be replaced — there are so many great jazz artists who deserve to be heard — artists that the Playboy Fest audience would love, but apparently whoever is in charge of booking has a tin ear. And who is in charge of mixing sound? The mix was the worst! Instruments and microphones fading up and down throughout each set, along with feedback. Some instruments you never could hear at all. Really, really pitiful. People should demand refunds. Maybe that’d get some attention and the organizers would make a very much needed change.

What happened to the Jazz music? Boring, bad music, no jazz. Left at intermission. What a waste of time and money. Husband went years ago many times when it was great.

Just got me and my buddies tickets… my annual Fathers Day gift to me! Saturday! Took the park and ride a few years back and I havent drove since. Pack my ice chest with adult beverages and let the party begin on the bus ride up there! Beautiful crowd full of friendly folks especially the ladies!!!

Playboy Jazz knows how to start the outdoor summer concert season! It’s a big backyard party where no one is a stranger. I’ve been going for decades and have never had a bad time! There’s something for everyone but make no mistake, the event honors the best in jazz — from straight ahead to Trombone Shorty. This year also celebrated Quincy Jones’ 80^th birthday. George Lopez replaced Bill Cosby as the host and did a decent job for a first time. I look forward to seeing him again next year. Lots of fun!

Discovered this festival by accident — a friend with an extra ticket called me a few hours before it started on Sunday to see if I would want to go. I walked to the site, a better option for me than driving since traffic was horrendously backed up plus I lived a few blocks right down the street. There were various parking sites available with prices ranging from $ 5 to $ 20. The will-​call line moved very quickly and getting in was a breeze. It was my first time at the Hollywood Bowl and it is such a great venue. The hillsides around the venue, the benches that you sit on (some people brought cushions, pads or blankets to sit on and cushion their booties). The people-​watching is supreme! So many different people, so many different outfits, so many different personalities that come out once the wines have been popped and that sun has beaten down on some folks…
The restrooms were very well-​maintained and each time I had to use the restroom, I did not wait in line at all, which is a great break from other concert venues that I have visited.
The girls brought a nice spread of food, we carried in our own wine (glass bottles at that, I was a bit worried thinking they wouldn’t allow glass in) and the alternating double-​side stage ensured that there was no break between musical acts. Trombone Shorty (on Sunday) did an awesome job, and I enjoyed all the other acts. Most people were pretty friendly, none of that L. A snobbiness that is often associated with the area. There was a definite New Orleans type vibe in the air with some folks throwing beads into the crowd AND jello shots in small plastic tubs. We made friends with the people seated around us and we had a great time. George Lopez was the host this year — I would have loved to have attended when Bill Cosby was hosting it! Now that I know about this festival, I will be sure to attend any chance I get!

Music, people, great venue, food of your choosing, and BYOA=bring your own alcohol. What could be better?
I make this an annual trip. I don’t bother with the traffic or parking. I opt to take the Park and Ride Shuttle. You should too. There’s plenty of departing locations to choose from in the South Bay and L.A.
Artists vary year to year. But they’re all talented. I will miss old man Bill Cosby as the host of this event.

One of the best experiences in Los Angeles. Seriously.
Being able to watch many talented artists perform in an iconic amphitheater surrounded by beautiful hillsides is awesome. It’s even better after sundown under the stars.
The icing on the cake is being able to pack your own picnic basket… complete with as much booze as you want… seriously, it’s allowed.
Definitely worth a visit. I attend yearly with a large crowd. We have a blast.
Don’t plan to drive yourself. The tandem parking is a hassle. I recommend taking the shuttle departs from various locations such as: Westchester, Westwood, Torrance, Lakewood, Culver City, and many other cities. Cost is $ 5 pre-​purchased and $ 10 at the lot per person.

The playboy jazz is a must do if you live in la you have to go! Once it’s the best party in LA! Music food&drinks! And good people watching too :-)

I love the Bowl. I love bringing my own picnic, and making new friends. I don’t like the Playboy Jazz Festival too much. I wish they could find some better known entertainment, and more vocal jazz.
This year the energy of the acts just seemed to be missing. Not a fan.

Playboy Jazz 2012
I was the lone roaming nomad for Playboy Jazz 2012. We all know that I know SO many people that I am never alone. I went early and found parking in one of the neighborhoods, then I got inside, set down my bags with friends and roamed around seeing friends and keeping my belly full and my cup even fuller until I was absolutely exhausted. I barely wanted to walk back to the car at the end of the night. Saturday night my legs hurt so much that I put a heating pad on them when I got home. Sunday I did it again, the exact same way. Of course, both nights, I ended up in a nice box in the evening as I do every year. But the greatest thing about this year is that I spent less than $ 10 the entire 2 days for everything! I already had the alcohol so it was a sunk cost (plus, most of it I had gotten for free), I got in for free parked for free and basically had a ball for $ 10 amortized from 3pm-​11pm for 2 days… that is the MBA in me coming out. LOL

Great show as always. The music never stopped, not even an intermission, so no «down time.» Some of the acts were not exactly Jazz, but close.
The will call line was too long. I suggested to Goldstar that they should consider something more up-​to-​date, like electronic ticketing, but they replied that it would cost more (?).
Bring your own food and drink and a HAT! Lots of people were uncomfortable in the sun.
The Metro Red Line stops at Hollywood and Highland. Walk to Orange Court and take a shuttle bus up the hill to the Bowl. Going home, there are only shuttles during certain hours, but it’s not a bad walk back down to Hollywood and Highland.

I can’t believe this annual LA event doesn’t have its own Unilocal presence; it certainly deserves it!
A day or a weekend at the Playboy Jazz Festival is an LA must. We all know that the bowl is an awesome venue — add 7+ hours of live music and entertainment into that venue and you have a beautiful day. Jazz fest is a well-​orchestrated machine; the stage rotates so there is no ‘lag’ time between acts. The Coz does a great job of welcoming acts to the stage and getting the audience pumped up and involved. Sound and lighting is awesome and just adds to the beauty of the venue and music.
What to bring: Like any event at the bowl — bring your own picnic and beer/​wine, cups, cutlery, napkins etc. For this event I would add seat cushions, sunblock, a hat, binoculars, a light jacket for when the sunsets and a towel. If you want to make fast friends, bring Jell-​o shots and beads — and toss those puppies into the stands! You will be the big-​man at the bowl. It is a long day — bring supplies — drinks at the bowl are most likely more than your actual ticket!
Thank you Hugh Hefner for creating the Playboy Jazz Fest and keeping it going all these years; it is a great day/​weekend and I hope every Angeleno experiences this event at least once!
Taking the red line is pretty darn convenient. For the 2012 fest, I purchased tickets on Goldstar for $ 16.25 + we were seated in Section R row 12 — sure we were high — but we were dead center. I couldn’t have been happier! The only issue seemed to be the will-​call. The line was quite long and took a while to get through.
Children over the age of 10 would be appropriate — it might be a little too hot and long of a day for smaller kids! If you haven’t been — put this festival on your radar and go!