The smooth sounds of jazz will take over the Tampa Bay Area in a couple of weeks with the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. The annual four-day, free festival of food, dance, music and more is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an impressive lineup of superstars.

The gates open on Thurs., Oct. 15th to the tunes of the Tom Brantley Collective. Al Jarreau follows as the headliner of opening night with a concert scheduled to last until 10 p.m. The music continues all weekend long with concerts by famous jazz greats such as Boney James and the Neville Brothers.

The Clearwater Jazz Holiday has become an industry benchmark around which jazz fanatics plan their vacays and weekend getaways. One step onto the scene and you'll immediately understand why: A weekend-long lineup of impressive musicians, set on an open air stage that holds the beautiful Gulf of Mexico as its backdrop, has everything to do with the event's success year after year.

And, three decades of experience means the event's organizers really know what they're doing. This world-class event can't  be beat. Neither can the city in which its held. When you catch views of picturesque Clearwater Beach from your blanket as the music plays, go with that great feeling that comes over you and head on over to play in the beautiful sands of the Gulf of Mexico. And, while you're hanging out in Clearwater Beach, be sure to check out the best restaurant around, Island Way Grill.

This restaurant, led by the fabulous Chef Tom Pritchard, creates seafood magic every night with a catch that's so fresh, the only thing fresher is the sweet and salty air you take in on the restaurant's open air deck.

Sounds good, huh? I'll see you there...