Starry stew for 2012 Playboy Jazz Fest

Multi-star bands like Quincy Jones' Global Gumbo All-Stars, Spectrum Road and also the Cookers highlight the 34th edition from the Playboy Jazz Festival, looking for June 16-17 at Hollywood Bowl. Perennial emcee Bill Cosby, who'll host the festivities for that 31st time, provided comic relief in the Playboy Mansion in which the program was introduced Thursday mid-day. Leaving comments by himself all-star band with turning personnel that's been a fixture at Playboy for a long time, the Cos' of excellent Music, he quipped: "First song as they are is 'Cherokee!'," mischievously picking something difficult. The June weekend's types lean toward satisfying individuals who think a festival should represent something unusual. Fest closing act Spectrum Road, Cream's Jack Bruce, John Medeski (of Medeski Martin and Wood), Living Colour's Vernon Reid and Cindy Blackman-Santana, may be referred to as jazz rock. As the Cookers -- featuring veteran stalwarts Eddie Henderson, Billy Harper, George Cables, Cecil McBee and Billy Hart -- harken to the acoustic mainstream circa the mid-'60s. Both groups will work Sunday, Next Month. The Worldwide Gumbo All-Stars, which performed a most effective gig in the Bowl last summer time, returns inside a slimmed-lower form under Playboy's aegis on June 16, with Richard Bona, Lionel Loueke, Francisco Mela and Alfredo Rodriguez one of the music artists. That day's roster will even feature bassist Christian McBride's large band the very first time at Playboy, while popular smooth-jazz saxophonist Boney James makes his 4th appearance. Other functions on that date include evening closer Ozomatli, Sheila E., Sharon Johnson and also the Dap-Nobleman, and also the progressive New Orleans brass band Soul Rebels. Singer-songwriter Robin Thicke makes his Playboy debut Next Month, and pianist Ramsey Lewis makes his first appearance here by having an electric band. The Terri Lyne Carrington Variety Project, Keb' Mo,' the classic jazz Upkeep Hall Jazz Band, Chile's eight-piece Chico Trujillo, and "Afro-urban" singer-songwriter KG Omulo complete the selection. Following a couple of many years of getting been moved on per week around the calendar, the fest has been moved to its traditional Father's Day weekend slot. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com