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  • Rob White and his band will be playing at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Beaumont Jazz and Blues Fest at the Beaumont Civic Center, located at 701 Main Street in Beaumont. Emily Deroche

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May 11, 2012

Don’t have to look far for urban jazz

Brandon Janes The Port Arthur News

— Trumpet player Robert White, candidate for a bachelors degree in Music Education at Lamar University, speaks a special language: a rare dialect of jazz and blues passed on throught the years by Southeast Texas legends like Blind Willie Johnson and Zachary Breaux.

The Beaumont native will be leading his own band, Rob White Band, this Saturday at the Beaumont Jazz and Blues Festival at the Beaumont Civic Center.

Festival organizer Lenny Caballero, a bloodhound for local talent, discovered the young musician playing a gig at the university library in the fall of 2010 and asked him to play at the Beaumont Jazz and Blues Festival the following Spring.

“Last year I was surprised I actually got called to do it,” said White, now a senior at LU. “It’s a big stepping stone for me.”

For the second time White, who has only just embarked on his professional music career, will share the stage with legends Barbara Lynn, Texas Johnny Brown, Ultrasuade, Paul Orta and smooth jazz legend Najee this weekend.

White may be calling the tunes on Saturday but he will also be looking up.

Even his own six-man ensemble includes an elder jazz statesman, saxophonist Gerald Stewart.

“The key to getting better is playing with people that are better than you,” said White. “How do you think Miles got to be so great — playing with Coltrane.”

White said he derives his inspiration from bebop legends like Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard.

A solid player of jazz standards, lately he has been branching out into the more ambitious compositions.

“This year I am presenting some of my more progressive stuff,” he said, “although, I always have to put a Freddy Hubbard Tune in there.”

This will be the first year the Jazz Festival is held indoors, and with rain in the forecast that could be a blessing.

According to Caballero, the festival has always suffered from weather problems, either a heat wave or a rain storm.

Cabelleros thinsans will be giving up their lawn chairs for professional seating and air-conditioning.

For just $10 festival goers will be able to see 12 artists, including Dean James, Barbara Lynn and urban jazz headliner Najee.

“We are always adding artists without raising the costs,” said Lenny Caballero, festival organizer. “Every year we try to increase the talent and this year is big.”

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

The cost is $15 for the floor and $10 for bleacher seating.

Reserved seating should be made at ticket master 1-800-745-300.

For more information call (409) 838-3435.

bjanes@panews.com

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