AUGUST 24th - 8:30pm Ellis Hall and The Truth Ellis Hall is a multi-instrumentalist virtuoso who possesses a vocal style that commands attention in its diversity and depth. Born in Savannah,Georgia, Ellis moved to Boston at the age of five, where he began his musical career, and has been on a direct course for success ever since. His first release as a solo artist was a version of the Motown smash from the 60's "Every Little Bit Hurts." His talents were showcased nationally and internationally with the Ellis Hall Group, opening for many top performers such as the Temptations, Earth Wind & Fire, Herbie Hancock, the Spinners and Natalie Cole. Ellis was featured as lead vocalist on the debut hit single, "What Does it Take," from the Kenny G. multi-platinum "Duotones" album and joined the soul-stirring hit group Tower of Power as lead vocalist and keyboardist, culminating that stint with his co-production and song-writing prowess on their album, "Power." He had enormous success as one of the California Raisins with their platinum album, "The California Raisins Sing the Hit Songs," and a gold album, "Christimas With the California Raisins." He has also lent his vocals and/or performed with such diverse artists as James Taylor, Warren Hill, George Duke, Michael Sembello, Huey Lewis and the News, Bo Diddley, Taj Mahal, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Kimball and ToTo, Jason Scheff of Chicago, Bobby Womack, James Ingram and Stevie Wonder.....

AUGUST 24th - 7:30pm Long Beach Jazz Quartet The Long Beach Jazz Quartet features Tony Bray on Saxophones and Rhodes, Paul Luis on Guitar, Johnny Bellino on Drums and Nathan Light on Upright Bass.  Our first CD-“A Step Forward, In the Wrong Direction” is an homage to the late fifties and the early sixties. Available now at CD Baby and itunes. JUST   ADDED !!!!!

AUGUST 25th - 5:30pm The Surfaris Instrumental surf music was unique during the sixties, developing within the culture of the sport and attempting to convey the feeling and rhythm of surfing through music. This music was a regional phenomenon known mostly to the west coast of Southern California. ( Dalley, Gold Mine) One group to emerge to international status was the Surfaris from Glendora, CA writers, recording artists and performers of the hit song, Wipe Out. During the recording session in late 1962, it was suggested that a gimmick sound indicating a wipe out off a surfboard be emulated. The final result was the sound of cracking boards and that crazy laugh for the introduction. The song was written quickly on the spot, because a B side was needed for Surfer Joe. The single was born that night at Pal Studios in Cucamonga, California. The four members recording were Bob Berryhill, Pat Connolly, Jim Fuller, and Ron Wilson. Wipe Out was initially released on an independent label named DFS. It was picked up by Dot records where it became a million seller and MCA has licensed it to different labels for distribution, like Varese Sarabande and Rhino. Wipe Out has been covered by artists such as the Ventures, drummer for The Scorpions, plus others, and has been widely used in commercials and movie sound tracks such as Meet the Parents, starring Robert de Niro.....

AUGUST 25th - 4:00pm Dennis Jones Band Dennis began his music career in his early teens in Baltimore County, Maryland and played guitar in several cover and original bands throughout his youth. Later he relocated to Europe for a few years and played with notable blues and R&B bands. Dennis played in Zac Harmon's band and was featured on "Live At Babe & Ricky's" as well as co-writing a song on "The Blues According to Zacariah" CD. Dennis was also in Zac's group when they won the 2004 International Blues Challenge Championship. He has also sat in with such artists as Guitar Shorty and Kenny Neal and has fronted the Dennis Jones Band for over ten years. Most recently, Dennis’ song Deep Blues from the CD “Falling Up” is featured in Lions Gate 2006 movie release “Sea of Fear”. “Passion For The Blues”, according to Vintage Guitar October 2006, is “full of hard rock and blues that show his influences”. Blues Revue’s June/July 2006 says, “Vaughan and Hendrix fans will find much to enjoy on “Passion For The Blues”. Two potential songs-of-the-year reveal Jones as a formidable writer". Memphis’ WEVL FM 90 called “Falling Up” one of the best albums we’ve heard in years... ...

Legendary Musician to Perform in Wrightwood By Michael Palecki, correspondent Ellis Hall, one of the music industry’s hardest working and most respected musicians, will be bringing his talent to Wrightwood on August 24, as part of the Wrightwood Summerfest 2007 Concert. When Ellis Hall and the Truth take the stage on Friday evening, the former lead singer and keyboardist for Tower of Power will also bring a rare sense of talent burnished to perfection on several multi-platinum recordings. As protégé to Ray Charles and the last artist signed to his label, Hall was chosen by the ailing “Papa Ray” to sing “You Don’t Know Me” at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in his place. Knownthroughout the industry as a “musician’s musician,” Ellis Hall has played with everyone from Neil Diamond to Neil Young. Spanning that expansive time frame, Hall also performed with James Taylor, Huey Lewis and The News, Bo Diddley, Taj Mahal, Bobby Kimball, Bobby Womack, and Stevie Wonder, to name just a few. In between those gigs, Hall kept himself busy writing musical scores for motion pictures and countless jingles and songs for television commercials. On television, there are many commercial tunes from Ellis Hall that helped to nudge the subliminal mind of consumers. Among those, Lexus, Fostex, Disneyland, Akai Musical Instruments, MacDonald’s, Michelob, Goodyear Tires and Wal-Mart are included in the short list. The enormous success of the “California Raisins” spun off into a platinum album of hit songs, and a gold album of Christmas songs. Hall also performed at the 2003 Academy Awards, the 2004 Grammy Awards salute to “Earth, Wind & Fire,” and the 2005 Grammy salute to Stevie Wonder. Motion picture credits for Ellis Hall include music written for or performed in: “Beauty Shop,” “Polar Express,” “Bruce Almighty,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Chicken Run,” “Big Momma’s House” and “Lion King II.” Hall also performed and produced an original song for the Disney feature film “Invincible” and is the featured vocalist on the Fox TV series “Til Death”. Perhaps one of the most unexpected local accolades for Ellis came in 2005 on the stage of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, in Downtown Los Angeles. With the popularity of the Blues singer “Keb Mo,” which started in clubs in the Long Beach area, steadily increased through air play on FM station KNAC’s “Nothing But The Blues” program, and culminated with the “Keb Mo Christmas Special at Disney Hall,” Ellis was hired to be a featured performer. The music review of the concert in the Los Angeles Times, of course, lauded Keb Mo for his original songs, but Ellis received almost as much recognition for his musicianship that resonated throughout Disney Hall. Ellis Hall and the Truth will perform on Friday evening, August 24, at 7:30 p.m. between the two banks in Wrightwood. Tickets are limited to an audience of 1,000 and are available at The Stogie Fogey, 1259 Evergreen in Wrightwood, or online at: www.dafogey.com .Don’t miss this rare opportunity to enjoy the enormous talent of Ellis Hall right here in Wrightwood.