While La Jolla has no shortage of wonderful cultural happenings year round, it’s likely that no event is as hotly anticipated as the annual Concerts by the Sea series held at Scripps Park. Now in its 29th year, the free, all-ages concerts take place each Sunday from July 15 through Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. and feature a wide range of music from big band to 1960s rock, alongside one of the most incredible seaside views in California. While the music shifts from season to season, for the past 16 years Concerts by the Sea has had a mainstay in emcee and DJ Ron J. Jones, who is also a member of the event’s board of directors. Notably, though the choices for perfomers are selected by committee, Jones is directly responsible for working with the bands. “This series truly brings the community together on many levels, but mostly, it’s just a great deal of fun on a Sunday afternoon,” he said. Artists performing this year feature a wide range of music, with swing band Big Time Operator opening festivities on July 15. Others include the Bill Magee Blues Band (July 22), Theo & The Zydeco Patrol (July 29) and Sue Palmer with her Motel Swing Orchestra (Aug. 26). “Our mission is to bring as much diversity in music as possible,” Jones said. “We could bring in a rock band every Sunday, but that’s not our ambition. We want to expand the sounds that people hear and maybe give some exposure to a few artists who might not get to play in front of such an audience.” Crowds range from 1,000 to 5,000, “depending on the act,” Jones said. “Rockola is always one of the biggest draws.” Classic-rock cover band Rockola, appearing Aug. 19, has performed at the event several times. The quartet considers this one of its favorite places to play, both for the scenery and enthusiastic crowds. “It’s a great crowd for audience participation in sing-a-longs, on songs like ‘Twist and Shout,’” said guitarist Mark DeCerbo. Outdoor shows, however, do have their challenges, said frontman Bob Tedde. “The thing that sets this show apart is that it’s in the afternoon,” he said. “The weather is always a big factor. The hotter it is, the more the show becomes a sit-and-listen concert. The cooler it is, the more we’ll try and get people dancing. The fun for us is that the external factors, such as weather, audience attitude, audience flow, etc. will more or less dictate which material gets called. We don’t have to adhere to any hard-and-fast agenda, so we can get as caught up in the magic as everyone else.” Plus, Tedde said, outdoor shows do have their benefits. “The outside shows tend to open us up more,” he said. “It’s usually a clearer headspace, so it’s easier to hear ourselves and each other, which brings out more nuance in our playing.” For his part, Mark Stuart, frontman for the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, performing Aug. 5, agreed. “Outdoor gigs like this are great. I really enjoy them,” he said. “It’s a really a nice change of pace, especially in San Diego where you know the weather will most likely be amazing.” For Stuart, there is a special connection of sorts to the concerts. “I’m really looking forward to playing my first show in Scripps Park, which is just a couple blocks from where I was born in old Scripps Hospital, and just a couple blocks from where I live in the Village,” he said. Plans are for the band’s set on July 15 to feature a heavy dose of vintage Western swing. “We tend to play the livelier more up-tempo songs to get the energy up and keep the audience moving and involved in the music,” Stuart said. “We save the slower, moodier songs for the dark intimate clubs where the nuance won’t be lost.” • La Jolla Concerts by the Sea: Sundays, July 15 through Sept. 2, Scripps Park at La Jolla Cove. 2 p.m. All Ages. Free. www.ljconcertsbythesea.org.
