Starry stew for 2012 Playboy Jazz Fest

Multi-star bands like Quincy Jones' Global Gumbo All-Stars, Spectrum Road as well as the Cookers highlight the 34th edition in the Playboy Jazz Festival, searching for June 16-17 at Hollywood Bowl. Perennial emcee Bill Cosby, who'll host the festivities for your 31st time, provided comic relief within the Playboy Mansion where the program was introduced Thursday mid-day. Departing comments by themself all-star band with turning personnel which has been a fixture at Playboy for any very long time, the Cos' of fine Music, he quipped: "First song because they are is 'Cherokee!'," mischievously picking something difficult. The June weekend's types lean toward satisfying people who think a festival should represent something unusual. Fest closing act Spectrum Road, Cream's Jack Bruce, John Medeski (of Medeski Martin and Wood), Living Colour's Vernon Reid and Cindy Blackman-Santana, might be known to as jazz rock. Because the Cookers -- featuring veteran stalwarts Eddie Henderson, Billy Harper, George Cables, Cecil McBee and Billy Hart -- harken towards the acoustic mainstream circa the mid-'60s. Both groups works Sunday, The Following Month. The World Gumbo All-Stars, which carried out a best gig within the Bowl last summer season, returns in the slimmed-lower form under Playboy's aegis on June 16, with Richard Bona, Lionel Loueke, Francisco Mela and Alfredo Rodriguez among the artists. That day's roster may even feature bassist Christian McBride's large band the first time at Playboy, while popular smooth-jazz saxophonist Boney James makes his fourth appearance. Other functions on that date include evening closer Ozomatli, Sheila E., Sharon Manley as well as the Dap-Nobleman, as well as the progressive New Orleans brass band Soul Rebels. Singer-songwriter Robin Thicke makes his Playboy debut The Following Month, and pianist Ramsey Lewis makes his first appearance here by getting an electrical band. The Terri Lyne Carrington Variety Project, Keb' Mo,' the classic jazz Upkeep Hall Jazz Band, Chile's eight-piece Chico Trujillo, and "Afro-urban" singer-songwriter KG Omulo complete the choice. Following a few years of getting been managed to move on each week round the calendar, the fest continues to be gone to live in its traditional Father's Day weekend slot. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com