(July 12 - 7:57 a.m.) Member-supported KKJZ/fm “KJazz” 88.1 will return blues music this year to the California State University, Long Beach campus with “The Long Beach Blues Festival Presents: The KJazz Blues Bash.” Set for Saturday, September 4, at the university’s Carpenter Performing Arts Center, the KJazz Blues Bash will feature a free afternoon fair followed by a ticketed blues concert.

The KJazz Blues Bash is scheduled in place of the traditional Long Beach Blues Festival, which will be on hiatus this year. “We’re excited to keep the spirit of the Blues Festival going,” said station manager, Stephanie Levine. “It’s great to be back presenting a blues event at Cal State Long Beach, home of KJazz.”

KKJZ management determined to offer the Blues Bash in lieu of the Long Beach Blues Festival this year to avoid economic difficulties that have closed other long standing music festivals over the past year. One of only five full-time jazz and blues stations in the nation, KKJZ offered the blues festival for 30 years, traditionally over the Labor Day weekend. By offering the Blues Bash this year, the station will offer its members and blues enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy a special event as well as to help support the station and its jazz and blues format.