Music in the Gardens: Jazzgrass

Sunnylands Center & Gardens presents the final event in its annual Music in the Gardens concert series, which began Sunday, March 4, and continued every Sunday throughout the month. The public is invited to stroll in the Gardens or bring a lawn chair and have a picnic on the Great Lawn while enjoying a different musical act each weekend.

Every performance is free and takes place from 11 am to 1 pm at Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37977 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage.

While guests are invited to bring food and picnics to Sunnylands, large coolers, ice chests, grills, and alcohol are not permitted.

March 25—Jazzgrass returns by popular demand to close out the series. In 1999, Idyllwild resident Barnaby Finch put the band together to honor the newer and more progressive side of Bluegrass music. In 2011, Barnaby recruited some talented locals to play with him. Don Reed on mandolin, dobro, and guitar is a famous Idyllwild virtuoso who’s performed with numerous artists. Sam Zorn on fiddle is a promising young player who covers everything from jazz to Celtic music. On bass is Bill Saitta, one of the busiest musicians in the Desert, joined by Jeff Olson on drums, who plays with David Benoit. Pianist Barnaby Finch is the musical director, formerly music director and touring member of Lee Ritenour’s band. Barmaby has played with Ronnie Laws, Alphonse Mouzon, Boz Scaggs and Lionel Richie. His piano was featured on the Lionel Richie/Diana Ross hit Endless Love. From 1982 to 1989 Barnaby toured with George Benson, for whom he was conductor and musical director from 1987 to 1989.