Kym Whitley Says She’ll Be Back After Jazzy Jam Concert Draws Over 600 to Pasadena
The free concert closed the 2026 summer series and welcomed fall with a tribute to Prince and Michael Jackson
Kym Whitley came to host Jazzy Jam for Empowerment’s summer concert series finale and left with plans to return. The actress and comedian was so impressed by the Sept. 24 event at Paseo Colorado in Pasadena that she told the crowd of more than 600 people she would be back for next year’s Jazzy Jam Summer Concert Series.
The free concert closed the 2026 series and welcomed fall with a tribute to Prince and Michael Jackson. Andrew Gouché and the Band of Brothers, The Purple Generation and DJ T3 supplied the musical lineup, while special recognition for veteran publicist Jalila Larsuel brought attention to people whose work helped shape the entertainment industry.
Whitley, whose credits include “The Parkers,” “Young & Hungry” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” also stars alongside Tommy Davidson in the Paramount+ comedy “The Varnell Hill Show.” Her announcement gave the Pasadena audience something to look forward to as this year’s series came to a close.
For Jazzy Jam for Empowerment (JJE) founder Jacqueline “Jackie” Snell, the evening’s success was rooted in the community it brought together.
“I’m so pleased we were blessed to build bridges with the community and to provide music that is healing for the soul for everyone,” Snell said.
JJE, is a community initiative that uses music and culture to create meaningful experiences centered on hope, healing and connection. Through its concerts and community programming, the organization creates welcoming spaces where people of different ages and backgrounds can meet, build relationships and celebrate together.
Keeping general admission free made that mission part of the event itself. The finale gave residents access to live entertainment alongside arts and vendors, games, raffles, prizes and line dancing.
For Snell, the mix of people represented what makes Altadena and Pasadena worth celebrating. “There were so many walks of life and generations that gathered,” she said. “It was a wonderful diversity of people, and that is what Altadena and Pasadena are all about!”
Her message emphasized the importance of opportunities to heal together. A community concert gives neighbors a reason to spend time with one another, reconnect and share something enjoyable across differences in age and background.
The evening’s musical connections ran deep. Gouché, an acclaimed bassist and musical director, has worked with both Prince and Michael Jackson. His career spans gospel, R&B and popular music, with additional credits including Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight and The Winans.
Gouché’s work with both artists gave his appearance with the Band of Brothers a personal connection to the tribute. The Purple Generation, a Los Angeles-based Prince tribute band known for its high-energy celebration of his music, joined the program alongside DJ T3.
The Waters Family, whose voices have appeared on hundreds of gold and platinum recordings, attended as special guests and received recognition for their contributions to music. Their collective credits include work with Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Paul Simon, Neil Diamond, the Jackson 5, Adele, Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer.
The evening also recognized the people whose work supported the music being celebrated. Veteran entertainment publicist Jalila Larsuel, who previously worked as Michael Jackson’s publicist, was honored for her longstanding contributions to the entertainment industry and continued support of Jazzy Jam for Empowerment. Rep. Judy Chu, Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton and radio host Pat Prescott presented the recognition.
The honor acknowledged her longstanding contributions to the entertainment industry and continued support of Jazzy Jam for Empowerment. It also made space to recognize the work of a communications professional whose career supported the artists audiences saw and heard.
Nadrich Law Corporation served as
the major sponsor. Additional supporters included ONNI Group, The Paseo, Pasadena Community Foundation, My Tribe Rise, Direct Relief and Foothill Family Center.
With music, professional recognition and community participation sharing the program, JJE closed its summer series around the purpose Snell described: building bridges and providing music that is healing for the soul. Whitley’s promise to return gave that celebration a connection to the next summer, too.
For more information, visit jazzyjamforempowerment.org.
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