Hollywood Bowl Welcomes Back the 38th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival

Contrary to popular belief, Playboy isn’t just about nude women. While the famously provocative magazine is indeed best known for publishing world-class photos of beautiful women sans clothing, few realize that the magazine also hosts world-class jazz musicians on stage and has done so for 38 years.

This June, the 38th annual Playboy Jazz Festival will once again grace the stage at the Hollywood Bowl. Presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, the annual festival has given lovers of jazz two days of spectacular music from both new and well-established artists. Founded by iconic publisher Hugh Hefner, the festival, originally held in Chicago, is now held at the Hollywood Bowl and has been since ‘79.

Comedian George Lopez has the honor of being the ‘16 master of ceremonies as he has every year for the past three years (Bill Cosby held the coveted position from ‘79-’12). The star-studded slate of performers on day one feature Jon Batiste and Stay Human, Seth MacFarlane (of “Family Guy” fame) with conductor Joel McNeely, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Los Van Van, Naturally 7, The Bad Plus Joshua Redman, Joey Alexander Trio, John Beasley’s MONK’estra, AURELIO (who recently replaced Freshlyground), and the LAUSD/Beyond the Bell All-City Jazz Band (under the direction of Tony White and J.B. Dyas).

Day two of the festival features Fourplay Silver Anniversary (with Bob James, Nathan East, Chuck Loeb, and Harvey Mason), Janelle Monáe, Robert Cray Band (celebrating BB King with special guests Sonny Landreth and Roy Gaines), the legendary Pete Escovedo Orchestra featuring Sheila E., Juan and Peter Michael, Javon Jackson and Sax Appeal and features special guests Jimmy Heath, George Cables, and Willie Jones III), Big Chief Donald Harrison, Jr. and the Congo Nation (New Orleans Cultural Group), Liv Warfield, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah Presents Stretch Music, Anthony Strong, and CSUN Jazz A Band (directed by Matt Harris).

The Playboy Jazz Festival isn’t the only way the company deviated from its seminal nude photos. Since March ‘16, the magazine stopped featuring total nudity, accepting the fact it could no longer compete with the internet’s readily available nudity and porn. Playboy CEO Scott Flanders agreed that the nudity in the magazine is “just passé at this juncture,” and Hefner agreed.

Perhaps after all these years in existence, the Playboy Jazz Festival will help people associate those bunny ears with more traditional jazz culture and less undress.

The 38th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival takes the Hollywood Bowl Stage June 11 and June 12 at the Hollywood Bowl. Click here for tickets to day one. Click here for tickets to day two of the event.