The Ocean Institute's popular jazz fundraising weekend event combines renowned jazz artists with an elegant evening of epicurean dining, cocktails, and live and silent auctions. Past performers include Gerald Albright, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Mindi Abair and Peter White.

Opening night, February 22nd, offers a Wine and Appetizer Reception and Concert Performance, limited to 300 guests. It will be headlined by Rick Braun and Friends; featuring Peter White and Richard Elliot. Guests will enjoy a variety of complimentary wines provided by Pear Valley Vineyards and appetizers from Sabatino’s.

Saturday, February 23rd, is the Premiere Evening at the Ocean Institute, accommodating 200 guests, and features a Gala Gourmet Dinner Show by Braun, White and Elliot. The elegant, intimate affair includes a cocktail reception with passed canapés, and an award-winning, four-course taste extravaganza prepared by celebrated local chefs from St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa, Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, Montage Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach, and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Pear Valley Vineyards, established in Paso Robles in 1997, will provide all wine pairings. The evening also includes connoisseur silent and live auctions.

Due to popular demand, we are proud to add a new Encore Performance with Peter White Unplugged this year on Sunday, February 24th. This unique experience will include a beer and wine tasting as well as a Bristol Farms gourmet boxed lunch and time for questions. All proceeds benefit the Ocean Institute and its hands-on, ocean-oriented educational programs. All events are held at the Ocean Institute.

For More Information/To Purchase Tickets:
Call Eileen Hayden at 949-496-2274 x 337 or click here.
Email: ehayden@ocean-institute.org

Tickets:
Friday, February 22, 2013- Friday Concert

• “Get Jazzed” Early-Bird Price (for seats purchased through December 14th)
• $250 - VIP Seating includes VIP reception with the Artists (only 48 available)
• $125 - Premiere Seating (SOLD OUT)
• $95 - General Admission (SOLD OUT)
• Regular Price (for seats purchased after December 14th)
• $145 - Premiere Seating (SOLD OUT)
• $115 - General Admission (SOLD OUT)

Saturday, February 23, 2013 - Saturday Gala

• “Get Jazzed” Early-Bird Price (for seats purchased through December 14th)
• $425 - Individual Seat
• $5,100 - Patron Table of 12 - Includes 2 tickets to the Culinary Preview Menu Tasting on November 14, 2012.
• $6,300 - Benefactor Table of 12 - Includes 2 tickets to the Culinary Preview Menu Tasting on November 14, 2012.
• Regular Price (for seats purchased after December 15th)
• $500 - Individual Seat
• $6,000 - Patron Table of 12
• $7,200 - Benefactor Table of 12

Sunday, February 24, 2013 - Sunday Encore Unplugged with Peter White

• Ticket Price
• 2,000 - VIP Table of 12 - 1st row seating
• $150 - Premiere Seating
• $120 - General Admission

About the Artists

Rick Braun

Rick Braun has been playing trumpet since he was a kid. No news there for the legions of fans his richly melodic playing style has attracted since the release of his first album, Intimate Secrets in 1993. A two-time winner of the Gavin Report's Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year award, he also collaborated with Boney James on the 2000 release Shake It Up. Kisses in the Rain followed a year later, and Braun continued issuing albums throughout the decade of the 2000s, including Esperanto in 2003, Sessions, Vol. 1 in 2004, Yours Truly in 2005, RnR (a duo set co-led by saxophonist Richard Elliot) in 2007, and All It Takes in 2009. Braun adds his formidable singing talents to the mix in his latest offering, Sings with Strings released last year. New on the horizon is a Christmas album Swingin' in the Snow with Peter White and Mindi Abair.

Peter White

Over the years, Peter White has maintained a reputation as one of the most versatile and prolific acoustic guitarists on the contemporary jazz landscape. Armed with an unparalleled combination of lyricism and energy, he combines elements of jazz, pop and classical guitar to create a sound that is singular and at the same time accessible to a broad audience. In addition to opening for artists like Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel and Queen, White worked with Al Stewart in the studio in the making of Year of the Cat. In a career that spans nearly four decades, over a dozen solo recordings and countless performances, White insists that it's the faces in the crowd and the fans that keep the experience fresh. His first release in 1990 of Reveillez-Vous was followed with three records on the Sindrome label - Excusez-Moi (1991), Promenade (1993) and Reflections (1994) - before signing with Columbia for the 1996 release of Caravan of Dreams.

Richard Elliot

Richard Elliot released his debut solo album, Trolltown, in 1986. The success of that album encouraged him to go solo in 1987 and his subsequent career has been nothing short of phenomenal. The saxophonist blew into the nineties with What's Inside, followed by his first #1 collection, On the Town. His next two releases, Soul Embrace and After Dark, also went #1. Elliot has also enjoyed the distinction of having two releases chart simultaneously; Chill Factor and his greatest-hits collection, The Best of Richard Elliot, released in 2000. With such a stellar track record, it is not surprising that Elliot has earned a prominent place among contemporary jazz's biggest stars. Richard loves to perform live, and he has a singular talent for enthralling an audience with his powerful, no-holds-barred playing and seemingly inexhaustible on-stage energy. His performances are passionately portrayed, astutely executed, and compellingly entertaining. He exudes warmth and sincerity. Elliot absolutely loves to interact with crowds and thrives on the exchange.

Event Details:

Friday, February 22nd

• Wine Reception and Silent Auction 6:30 - 7:30PM
• Concert 7:30PM

Friday is opening night and features a concert performance for 300 guests who will enjoy a variety of complimentary wines from Pear Valley Vineyards, appetizers from Sabatino’s and desserts from Balboa Dessert Company.

Saturday, February 23rd

• Cocktail Reception, Dinner, Silent Auction 5:30 - 9:00PM
• Performance 9:00PM
• Saturday is the premier evening and features a cocktail reception, four-course dinner and intimate performance for 200 guests. The evening also includes a silent and live auction.
• Wines provided by Pear Valley Vineyards
• Passed canapés prepared by The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, and the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa
• An award-winning, four-course dinner prepared by local chefs from:
• The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa
• Park Hyatt Aviara Resort
• Montage Laguna Beach
• The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Sunday, February 24th

• Bristol Farms Gourmet Box Lunch 11:30 - 12:30PM
• Beer and Wine Tasting
• Concert 1:00PM

Due to popular demand, we are proud to add a new Encore Performance with Peter White Unplugged this year. This unique experience will include time for questions.