Canyon Jammin’

An enthusiastic crowd savored the music of David Crosby, Terence Blanchard, Venice and more at ‘Jammin’ in the Canyon,’ a fundraiser for Canyon Charter School last Sunday afternoon. Over 1,000 tickets were sold for the outdoor concert, which raised money to support enrichment programs at the Santa Monica Canyon school such as music, art, science, computer lab and the P.E. coach. Crosby, a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, was a special guest of local band Venice. In addition to jazz great Blanchard, other performers were blues harpist Paul Oscher, funky cool ska band The Untouchables, gospel group Fred Martin and the Levite Camp, folk duo Lowen & Navarro, R&B songstress Tasha Taylor, and popular rock group Seven and the Sun. Actors Don Cheadle and Tom Wright co-hosted the event, with a special guest appearance by Noah Wyle. L.A. school board member Marlene Canter spoke to the crowd about public education. Canyon Booster Club vice-presidents Bridgid Coulter and Lori Ekstrom headed the committee that brought Jammin’ back for the first time since 1999. They were supported by principal Carol Henderson. Sponsors included T-Mobile, Americorp Funding and inthecanyon.com.