Local jazz guitarist Peter Sprague will play the opening night prime-time slot at the Playboy Jazz Festival tomorrow evening as a member of vocalist Dianne Reeves' group.

Sprague got the gig with Reeves several years back on the recommendation of Los Angeles pianist Billy Childs. He has toured all over the U.S. and Europe with Reeves, earning perks that as a jazz musician, he thought he'd never see: such as flying first-class, or having a roadie help with equipment set up.

Reeves, currently a resident of Denver, Colorado, was born in Detroit and moved to Los Angeles in 1976--where she got her first big gig singing for the Latin/jazz fusion group Caldera.

Since branching out on her own, she has won 4 Grammy awards for Best Jazz Vocalist, the last in 2006, for the soundtrack to the film, (starring George Clooney), "Good Night and Good Luck", about the life of CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow.

Reeves' band, which features pianist Peter Martin, bassist Reginald Veal and drummer Terryon Gulley, will take the stage Saturday, June 11, at 7:00 p.m.

The festival also includes performances by The Roots, bluesman Buddy Guy, legendary saxophonist Lee Konitz and Latin jazz bandleader Eddie Palmieri.

photo by Michael Oletta