Jazz in the Park gives residents a chance to see some major talent

Amazing but true: Even in a city that thrives on musical entertainment of every imaginable sort, worthy performers still can slip through the occasional crack.

And that's one reason Jazz in the Park, Clark County's springtime concert series, this year celebrates its 20th year of bringing to Southern Nevadans performers they aren't apt to see anywhere else around town.

On Saturday, legendary musician, songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint will kick off this year's Jazz in the Park series with an 8 p.m. concert at the Clark County Government Center amphitheater.

Brian Saliba, program administrator for special events and marketing for Clark County Parks and Recreation, says Jazz in the Park is designed to "showcase talent in the jazz world that you normally would not see in any of the casinos around town."

"What we look for is first-class professional performers on a national level that are really established in what they do," he says. "But, at the same time, we try to really focus on the cultural acts that, normally, Las Vegas doesn't get to see often."

Toussaint, for example, recently was profiled on the 2009 Grammy Awards telecast as a "Grammy Legend" and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

And, while most often associated with New Orleans-style rhythm and blues, Toussaint has written such iconic songs as "Working in the Coal Mine" -- covered by both Lee Dorsey and Devo -- and "Southern Nights," produced LaBelle's 1974 "Nightbirds" album (which included the No. 1 hit "Lady Marmalade") and has been covered by everybody from Otis Redding to The Who to the Pointer Sisters.

Toussaint's most recent album is "The Bright Mississippi."

The series continues with performances by trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis on May 23 and The Sax Pack on June 6.

During the past 20 years, Saliba says, there have been "a lot of performers out there (who) for some reason or another skipped over Las Vegas, and we want to make sure we can at least provide that opportunity to play in the community."

It's a win-win for both the performers and the audience members, Saliba adds. "Most acts, once we have them at the venue, love the facility and love the series because it's a large-scale venue that's still intimate."

And, for audience members, attending the concerts at the 3,000-seat amphitheater offers a chance to break out the picnic baskets, blankets and low-back lawn chairs for an affordable evening out.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. shows. Parking is free and food vendors are available at the site.

This year's "Clean Air Series" of concerts is sponsored by Clark County's Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management. And, again this year, Saliba says, it'll bring to Southern Nevadans "first-class entertainment at a low cost, which is free."

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@review journal.com or 702-383-0280.