Bodhi Tree concert series sets 2019 line-up: ‘We have San Diego legends this year’ with events throughout the San Diego area

By Ashley Mackin-Solomon - Contact Reporter

Next year’s Bodhi Tree concert series looks to showcase the best that San Diego has to offer, with homegrown musicians performing to raise money for local charities — and the lineup has just been announced for the 2019 season.

“Our whole goal is to highlight the world-class talent right here in San Diego,” said Bodhi Tree co-founder Diane DuMelle. “We have San Diego legends this year.”

As with concerts past, all proceeds benefit local charities. To date, Bodhi Tree (based out of St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in La Jolla) has presented more than 30 concerts and donated more than $25,000 to charitable causes.

The series kicks off 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 with the San Diego-based Ira Liss Big Band Jazz Machine at the Cuvier Club, 7776 Eads Ave., benefiting Vida Joven de Mexico Orphanage. Despite the 40 years the Band has been performing in San Diego, this will be its first time with the Bodhi Tree concert series.

“Bodhi Tree has a great reputation for presenting really good concerts, and it’s a great cause. The concept of partnering with charities is unique yet it’s obvious, and obviously successful. We’re hoping this will be first of many such performances with them,” Liss said.

Self-described as a “modern big band,” Liss said concert-goers can expect the large sound of multiple instruments associated with the big band sound, but with a creative twist. “We play things that are traditional yet up-to-date. We play a wide variety of music for the jazz idiom and we tend to want to things that are more creative than strictly big band or jazz.”

IF YOU GO: Single tickets to Bodhi Tree Concerts are $25 ($30 for “All Is Calm”), $15 for students and military. Season subscriptions: $80 for Ira Liss Big Band Jazz Machine, Benedetti & Svoboda Guitar Duo, Back to Broadway Cabaret, and The Pirates of Penzance at bodhitreeconcerts.org