International contemporary jazz saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa of Seattle will be joined onstage by Tucson's energized vocalist Crystal Stark for the Tucson Jazz Society's summer series-ending concert Sunday at Loews Ventana Canyon.
The vigorously inventive Kashiwa has enjoyed a remarkably fertile 27-year career playing on a swinging musical landscape that has never stopped shifting. Keeping an ear on the future, Kashiwa always stayed ahead of the changes.
After graduating from Cal State Long Beach, he spent 1989-99 helping keep the harder-rocking fusion-minded Rippingtons ahead of the curve in contemporary jazz.
Going solo, Kashiwa had that breakout moment with his own band, Coastal Access, in 2000 putting "Hyde Park (The 'Ah, Oooh' Song)" on top of the contemporary jazz charts for several weeks.
In 2004 Kashiwa rejuvenated the horn-band format joining two other saxophonists out front to form the commercially successful Sax Pack. For the Rippingtons' 20th anniversary tour in 2007 he rejoined the band, but also kept his own Coastal Access group touring and recording, while finding time to release more albums as an essential part of Sax Pack, as well.
"To me, this career is a lot like being an actor. Nobody wants to hire an out-of-work actor. The same goes for musicians. So I have three jobs," Kashiwa said with a chuckle on the phone from home. He will be sharing the Ventana Canyon stage with his Coastal Access band.
For this thoughtful sax man, the actor-musician metaphor goes much deeper.
"I watch 'The Actor's Studio' regularly on Bravo and am also fascinated by the way famous movie actors talk about their craft," Kashiwa noted in an online bio sketch. "No matter how successful they are and how happy they should be with their previous success, they're always more focused on what's next.
"It's the same with me. I'm always looking forward to what's on the horizon."
Stark has her own version of this philosophy, too. Just as contemporary jazz began as a blend with elements of R&B, funk and pop-rock, so has Stark sought her own soulful blend of R&B mixed with gospel and jazz.
So far, only a few singers have found a voice in contemporary jazz. Stark figures it is time for one more.
"I'll be doing three songs, including one of my originals, some R&B and jazz kinds of stuff that I like to do," Stark said. "Some time ago I sent him the charts and my recordings.
"I've always wished there was more vocal representation in smooth jazz."
Stark said it was the Tucson Jazz Society that invited her about seven months ago to appear in this concert with Kashiwa and Coastal Access. She has been featured in other TJS concerts before, "but nothing like this. Every time I sing, if there's one person who hasn't heard me before, that's great!"
Stark has a new album of her original songs in the works. The official title is "One Way," with a projected release date sometime next spring.
Kashiwa's latest look into the future is the just-released CD "Let It Ride," which he will feature here.
"That title means go for it, and that's exactly what we do. This will be a high-energy show," Kashiwa promised. "These are guys who like to break a sweat."
IF YOU GO
• What: Tucson Jazz Society concert with smooth jazz saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa and Coastal Access, with Tucson vocalist Crystal Stark.
• When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
• Where: Loews Ventana Canyon, 7000 N. Resort Drive
• Tickets: $35 general admission; VIP tables for two, $70 per person. Discounts available.
• More information: 903-1265 or tucsonjazz.org
Chuck Graham has written about Tucson arts for more than 36 years. Read more of his articles at "Let the Show Begin," tucsonstage.com