Ojai Pops Concert Series – 10-Year Anniversary

Ojai Pops Concert Series – Celebrating our 10-year anniversary! THREE FREE community concerts at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai on Sunday, September 13^th, 2026.

Jesse Rivkin@1:00pm – 1:45pm

Tuxedo Junction Jazz Band@2:00pm – 3:00pm

Electric Duke- David Bowie Tribute@3:30 – 4:45pm

The Ojai Pops Concert Series will present its second of five free Community Concert of the season with THREE FREE Community Concerts this Sunday, September 13^th, 2026, at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai, to benefit Music 4 Kids.  Music 4 Kids is a 501c3 organization that provides music scholarships to students in need.

The headliner for this September 13, 2026 concert is David Bowie Tribute at 3:30 pm featuring Julian Shah-Tayler.  This is one of those magical Ojai full circle things.  In September of 2013 the Ojai Film Society showed the movie 20 Feet From Stardom at Libbey Bowl.  One of the stars of the movie, Claudia Lennear was a featured speaker at the event.  At this event, Claudia met Ojai Pops Concert founder Scott Weiss.  A friendship was formed which led to Claudia calling Scott and suggest that Julian be a part of the Ojai Pops Concert Series.  Julian agreed.

It is worth noting for those not familiar with Claudia, that she was the inspiration for the Rolling Stone’s song Brown Sugar and David Bowie’s song Lady Grinning Soul.  Rumor has it Claudia might be in the audience on Sunday, in which case Julian will be serenading her.

Jesse Rivkin: As a young person growing up in 1990s Washington DC, Jesse Rivkin absorbed a unique blend of punk and jazz from local scenes, further influenced by his ethnomusicology study at University of Maryland.

Training at Berklee College of Music saw him making Beatles soundalikes and learning music synthesis and production.

Since making the move to the Ojai Valley, he’s played venues including Sam’s Place, Farmer and the Cook, Feros Ferio Winery, Ojai Valley Brewery and Peirano’s Ventura with his trio San Antonio Creek (drawing influences from 70’s country rock) and currently as one half of the duo Jesse and Ben, a guitar project at the intersection of jazz and rock.

As a lead singer with the 1960s soul group Lonesome Soul Quartet, he’s played at Hollywood’s American Legion.

For Sept. 13 at the Libbey Bowl, he’s arriving with his originals: a blend of 1970s singer-songwriter, psychedelic bossa nova and mellow indie rock.

Check him out at jesserivkin07 on YouTube and the band Lake Nights on Spotify. Enjoy and see you at the show!

Tuxedo Junction Jazz Band: The band will consist of talented musicians with Lark Cobb on vocals, Scott Weiss- Trumpet, Norbert Tan- Percussion, David Marx- Trombone, Greg Spaulding- Piano, Corey Highberg- Bass & Addie Ragsdale- Clarinet and Saxophone.  This concert will feature popular Dixieland and Jazz songs.

Electric Duke- David Bowie Tribute: A powerful live celebration of the music, style, and creative spirit of one of rock’s most influential artists. Fronted by acclaimed musician and producer Julian Shah-Tayler, the show delivers an electrifying journey through Bowie’s most iconic eras — from Ziggy Stardust and Young Americans to Let’s Dance, Heroes, and beyond.

A lifelong Bowie devotee, Shah-Tayler’s connection to the material evolved organically while raising funds for children’s charities, eventually growing into an internationally acclaimed live production. Over the past fifteen years, he has performed Bowie’s music on stages around the world, collaborated with members of Bowie’s own bands including pianist Mike Garson and bassist Carmine Rojas, and fronted orchestras and major tribute productions with stunning authenticity and emotional depth.

Unlike many tribute acts, Electric Duke captures not just Bowie’s sound, but his restless creative energy and theatrical spirit. Backed by a world-class band, the show moves effortlessly through glam rock, soul, art rock, electronic experimentation, and stadium anthems, recreating classics such as “Fame,” “Starman,” “Rebel Rebel,” “Ashes to Ashes,” “Moonage Daydream,” “China Girl,” “Space Oddity,” “Golden Years,” “Let’s Dance,” and “Heroes.”

With immersive visuals, dynamic musicianship, and a deep reverence for Bowie’s ever-evolving artistry, Electric Duke is more than a tribute concert — it is a celebration of a musical icon whose influence continues to shape generations of artists and fans alike.

Upcoming concerts in the series:

October 4: Ben Buttner 2:30 and Tuxedo Junction Jazz Band 3:30

October 18: Ojai Pops Orchestra  3:30 pm.

November 1: Los Padres Horn Quartet 12:15, Ventvm Qvintet 1:15, and Phoenyx Big Band 2:30 pm

Students in need of a music scholarship for private lessons may contact Music 4 Kids at ojaipops@gmail.com.  Please refer to the website: www.ojaipops.com for additional information.

Volunteers are always needed to assist the concert series. The Ojai Pops Concert Series is sponsored by the City of Ojai and by Music 4 Kids, a California 501(c) (3) non-profit organization whose goal is to provide low-cost music lessons, instruments, and free concerts.  Donations are greatly appreciated.