“The Spinners” and “Sax and the City” to Perform During Early-Round Super Sessions at 86th-annual Farmers Classic

Written by: Staff on 9th July 2012

"The Spinners" and "Sax and the City" to Perform During Early-Round Super Sessions at 86th-annual Farmers Classic |

LOS ANGELES – Mixing Los Angeles’ classiest tennis with celebrated tunes, accomplished musical acts “The Spinners” and “Sax and the City” will perform during early-round Super Sessions on July 23 and July 25, respectively, at the 86th-annual Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz, at the Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA.

Rhythm & Blues group “The Spinners,” presented by KRTH (K-EARTH) 101.FM, will play on July 23. “Sax and the City,” presented by KTWV (The WAVE) 94.7 FM, will play silky smooth jazz on July 25. Each group will take to the Straus Stadium court between the two featured evening matches on both competition days. Evening play is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on both nights.

Daily tickets for the Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz – the longest-running annual pro sporting event in Los Angeles which plays this year from July 23-29 – are available at www.FarmersClassic.com, Ticketmaster, or by calling (310) 825-2101.

“We are delighted to have such heralded musical entertainment as ‘The Spinners’ and ‘Sax and the City’ perform for our fans,” Farmers Classic Tournament Director Bob Kramer said. “Both bands tremendously enhance the fan experience during our Super Sessions, when one ticket provides entry for the afternoon and evening matches, as well as the concert.”

Added Patty Pastor, Director of Marketing for 94.7 The WAVE and K-EARTH 101: “K-EARTH 101 and 94.7 The WAVE are thrilled to once again renew our partnership with the Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes Benz, one of the most dynamic and exciting tennis tournaments in the United States. We can’t think of a better way to enjoy this amazing event, now in its 86th year, than the beautiful setting of the Los Angeles Tennis Center at UCLA.”

“The Spinners,” signed by Atlantic Records in 1972, boast six GRAMMY Award nominations, two performances during the GRAMMY Awards, 12 gold records, with hits on top of both Pop and R&B charts, and a star on the Hollywood “Walk of Fame.” The band received a Black Gold Award from the late Dick Clark for their achievements in the recording industry and the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Award for their contribution to R&B. The group tours internationally and features lead singers Bobbie Smith, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson, Charlton Washington and high tenor Harold “Spike” Bonhart, along with a soul-infused, five-piece band.

“Sax and the City” is a Jazz collaboration of saxophonists Jessy J, Marion Meadows and Paul Taylor, who are touring nationally. Jessy J, who graduated from USC with a degree in jazz studies and has performed on American Idol and The Voice, released her debut album, “Tequila Moon,” with Peak Records in March 2008. The album earned her such accolades as Radio & Records’ Debut Artist of the Year, and the title track won her Contemporary Jazz Song of the Year by R&R and Billboard while spending eight weeks at No. 1. Having played the sax since age 15, Meadows’ first album, “For Lover’s Only,” was recorded for RCA records in 1990. Taylor scored his first No. 1 hit on the Billboard contemporary jazz chart with Ladies’ Choice (2007). Taylor and Meadows have also played together in recent years under the “Gentlemen of the Night” tour.

The Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz, features a 28-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles competition. Los Angeles County’s only top-tier pro tennis event, and an ATP World Tour stop on the Emirates Airline US Open Series, awards total prize money of $700,000.

Proceeds from the Farmers Classic, held in conjunction with UCLA, benefit the grassroots programs of the non-profit Southern California Tennis Association (SCTA) and UCLA. In 2011, the tournament and associated special events raised more than $200,000 for the SCTA, the Grammy Foundation and other charities.

Two-time Farmers Classic champion and Southern California native Sam Querrey, fellow American James Blake, France’s Nicolas Mahut and Belgium’s Xavier Malisse, the tournament’s reigning doubles champion, are among the highlighted players entered in this month’s draw.