Jazz enthusiasts who have never attended the Clearwater Jazz Festival will definitely want to mark their calendars for next years’ event. After 28 years, the Festival is still free to the public. This was my first time at the Festival and I assure you, it won’t be my last.
The amazing thing is that the event has so many sponsors that it remains free to the public and that the line up of performers is so amazing: George Benson, Brian Bromberg’s Downright Upright Band, Arturo Sandoval and Natalie Cole were just a few of the acts who played the event this year.
I arrived at waterside Coachman Park, where the Festival is held, to find that the grounds had been turned into a sort of midway, with vendors selling sausage and peppers, pizza, deep fried turkey drumsticks, beer, wine, ices and ice creams, etc. - all of the foods you’d typically find at a fairground and then some.
Empty space on the grass began filling up fast as people arrived with lawn and beach chairs and found spots in front of the stage. The event draws so many jazz lovers because organizers make a point of filling each night’s line up with acts that represent a wide range of jazz styles, from smooth, Latin and progressive to improvisational and atonal with a splash of fusion.
The first act on Friday night was the group Ray and Friends, who have been playing Tampa area jazz clubs for years and have a huge, dedicated following. The group was formed by pianist Ray Biscoglia, who was accompanied by a great band, including flautist Linda Nash and vocalist Karen Benjey. Their smooth jazz sound was interspersed with solos by each musician and George Allgaire on the tenor sax blew the crowd away.
Jazz Surge with Chuck Owen was next up and featured a band that must have included at least 17 musicians. Owen is Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of South Florida and on Friday his band included award-winning, jazz vibraphonist Mike Mainieri and drummer Adam Nussbaum. Together, they had the crowd swinging. Unfortunately, rain put a damper on the evening and everyone scattered as the drizzle turned into a proper shower.
Back at the festival on Saturday night, the first act was the Michael Ross Quartet, who played numbers from their latest CD, Year of the Dog. Their straight ahead jazz was followed by Brian Bromberg’s Downright Upright Band, consisting of a group of musicians who are all Grammy winners in their own rights. The crowd was transfixed as Bromberg made his bass sing – the man is a phenomenal musician. Their set also featured hard bop solos by Randy Brecker on the trumpet and legendary drummer Dave Weckl drew a standing ovation from the crowd.
Next up was the master of Latin Jazz, Arturo Sandoval and his band, who finished what the Downright Upright Band had started. Event organizers tried to get the crowd back in their seats, until Sandoval himself admonished them from the stage, urging the crowd to stay on their feet, “Dance! Let them dance!” And dance we did. Sandoval’s Latin jazz was backed up by a band that included bongos, drums, keyboardists and a brass section. From start to finish, they had the crowd eating out of their hands.
Madeski Martin and Wood, better known as MMW, then took the stage and riffed on jazz improvs that featured nods to the acoustic and exploratory jazz they’re famous for. The night was finished off by a fireworks display.
To say that a good time was had by all would be an understatement.
By the way, I stayed at the Gulfview Beach Resort on Clearwater Beach. If you plan to hit this event next year, check out their website – convenient location, newly remodeled rooms, Jimmy’s Fish House Restaurant and the largest pool on Clearwater Beach. www.thegulfview.com. Make plans for next year's Jazz Fest by checking out www.clearwaterjazz.com |
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04/07/2011
I heard it's a very nice event and i would like to come. All i need are the date's and the line up for 2011.
Flag This As Inappropriate03/13/2011
what famous event is the latin jazz festival a part of?
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