 Memorial Day weekend, 2003, Russell Garcia and Buddy Childers had an event "Contemporary Concepts Presented – A 4 Day Jazz Festival Celebrating The West Coast Big Band Sound in Concert" in Los Angeles.Speakers/Panelists included Russell Garcia, Buddy Childers, Pete Rugolo, and Allyn Ferguson.On 27 May 2005 the L.A. Jazz Institute honoured Garcia for his more than 60 years of contributions to jazz.