Clearwater Jazz Holiday begins Oct. 15
Jarreau, Botti, James and Nevilles headline Clearwater Jazz Holiday
By LEE CLARK ZUMPE
| Article published on Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 |
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| The 30th annual Clearwater Jazz Holiday runs Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 15 to 18, at Coachman Park |
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CLEARWATER – The 30th annual Clearwater Jazz Holiday runs Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 15 to 18, at Coachman Park on the waterfront in downtown Clearwater. Coachman Park is accessible from Drew Street or Cleveland Street.
This free, world-class gathering of jazz artists boasts a rich history. The festival began as a 10-day series of jazz concerts at venues around Clearwater. Over the years, the event has attracted legendary performers such as Tony Bennett, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck and Stan Getz.
Following is a schedule of this year’s performers:
Thursday, Oct. 15
• Gates open – 5 p.m.
• Tom Brantley Collective – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Mike MacArthur & Nate Najar – 7 to 8 p.m.
• Al Jarreau – 8:30 to 10 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16
• Gates open – 4 p.m.
• The Organic Trio – 5 to 6 p.m.
• Joe Baione Quartet – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Nicole Henry – 8 to 9 p.m.
• Chris Botti – 9:30 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17
• Gates open – 2:30 p.m.
• Gumbi Ortiz and the Latino Projekt – 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.
• Les Sabler – 5 to 6:15 p.m.
• Clearwater Jazz Holiday 30th anniversary Extreme Tribute – 6:45 to 8:30 p.m.
• Boney James – 9 to 10:30 p.m.
• Fireworks – 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18
• Gates open – 2 p.m.
• Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater Jazz Holiday Youth Jazz Band with BK Jackson – 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Marcus Roberts Trio – 4 to 5:30 p.m.
• Brian Bromberg’s It Is What It Is Band – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• The Neville Brothers – 8 to 10 p.m.
About the musicians
Jazz trombonist Tom Brantley will open this year’s four-day festival.
Born in Louisiana to parents who were both band directors, he grew up listening to a wide variety of music including jazz, classical, Cajun, blues, R&B, rock and country.
Brantley is a third-generation trombonist. Touring with the chamber group Rhythm & Brass, he has performed throughout the United States and in foreign countries such as Canada, Japan, Thailand and Saudi Arabia.
Hailing from upstate New York, Mike MacArthur occupied the tenor sax chair on Maynard Ferguson’s Big Bop Nouveau Band. He also served as a sideman to jazz vocalist Diane Schuur and performed with artists such as Roger Waters and Rick Derringer.
Florida guitarist Nate Najar, according to his biography, considers himself a product of classical, R&B, soul, gospel, jazz and Latin.
Najar performs regularly with a number of smooth jazz artists such as Eric Darius, Jackiem Joyner, Brian Simpson and Marion Meadows.
MacArthur and Najar will lead an all star band featuring drummer Frank “Third” Richardson, bassist Xavier Chisholm and keyboardist Ron Reinhardt in a smooth jazz set.
Headlining the first day of the festival, Al Jarreau brings his unique vocal style to the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. Singing since the age of 4, Jarreau began his professional career in the 1960s performing at a small jazz club with a trio headed by George Duke. He was partnered with pianist Tom Canning when discovered by Warner Bros. Records – his critically acclaimed debut album “We Got By” followed in 1975.
Jarreau’s body of work has earned him five Grammy Awards. He is one of a handful of performers to win Grammys in the three categories of jazz, pop and R&B.
The second day of the festival kicks off with a performance by The Organic Trio. The trio is made up of Robbie Rose on the Hammond B3 organ, Larry Camp on guitar and Art Siegal on drums. Each member performs with other Tampa Bay area bands, but as a trio they perform a one-night-a-week gig, Mondays at Mattison’s City Grill in Sarasota, playing mostly jazz with a touch of R&B and pop.
Joe Baione, a professional jazz vibraphonist, is next up on stage. No stranger to outdoor festivals, he has previously performed at Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Montego Bay, the Temecula Valley Jazz Festival, The Cape May Jazz Festival, The Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival, and The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival.
With three Top 10 selling jazz CDs to her credit, Nicole Henry has a voice built for jazz. Her latest release, “The Very Thought of You,” features love songs, originals and gems from the great American Songbook.
Closing out the Friday lineup is headliner Chris Botti. Botti, who has released 12 solo albums, has performed with some of the most recognizable names in music, such as Frank Sinatra, Sting, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, Andrea Bocelli, Joshua Bell and Aerosmith’s own Steven Tyler. His 2007 release “Italia” was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album.
Percussionist Gumbi Ortiz will be the first artist to hit the stage on Saturday. Best known for his many years playing with superstar guitarists Al Di Meola, Ortiz has achieve recognition as one of the most exciting and knowledgeable congueros around.
Guitarist Les Sabler will follow with a set that’s sure to please.
Sabler released his fourth album, “Sweet Drive,” in 2007, embracing a soulful style of contemporary jazz, R& B and adult pop music.
Following Sabler’s set, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday 30th anniversary Extreme Tribute Band will unite about two dozen performers on stage including Kenny Drew Jr., Brian Bromberg, Tom Brantley, Mike MacArthur, Nate Najar, Linda Nash, Larry Camp, David Pate, Fred Johnson, Michael Ross, Jack Wilkins, Gumbi Ortiz, Belinda Womack and BK Jackson.
Soul Train Award winner Boney James will perform from 9 to 10:30 p.m.
The sax icon recently hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts with the 2009 Concord Record offering “Send One Your Love.” Inspired by the soul music of the ’70s, James’ first concept album features 10 seductive love songs. James plays tenor, alto and soprano saxophones on “Send One Your Love.”
Fireworks will immediately follow the set.
The Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater Jazz Holiday Youth Jazz Band will welcome attendees to the final day of the festival.
Hailing from Jacksonville, jazz pianist Marcus Roberts lost his sight at age 5. His parents bought him a piano when he was 8 years old and began playing for a local Baptist church. His first formal lessons began when he was 12, and he soon decided he wanted to become a jazz pianist after listening to Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Mary Lou Williams.
In 1985, at 21, Roberts joined Wynton Marsalis’ band and toured and recorded with the trumpeter for the next six years. Known today as one of the most diverse artists in jazz, Roberts has perfected a highly innovative and original piano style and an instinct for jazz improvisation.
The Brian Bromberg It Is What It Is Band features acclaimed bassist Brian Bromberg.
Closing out the festival will be The Neville Brothers. This American R&B and soul group features Art, Charles, AAron and Cyril Neville.
The Neville Brothers formed in 1977 in New Orleans, releasing their eponymous a year later on Capitol Records. More than three decades later, the brothers continue to tour and record together. Their most recent studio CD, “Walking In the Shadow of Life,” was released in 2004 by Back Porch.
Festival guidelines
Safety and security measures have been planned and will be implemented at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday for the benefit of all festival attendees, artists and staff. Festival guidelines include the following:
• No pets - except registered, Seeing Eye dogs • No grills, hibachis, or open flames of any kind • No glass containers or bottles • No coolers, food or drink of any kind • No unauthorized vendors • No tents, canopies or umbrellas • No overnight camping • No Audio / Video recording devices • No in line skating, skateboarding • No littering • No guns, knives or weapons of any kind • No cell phones or pagers during performances • No fireworks or laser pointers • Guests should attend all infants and small children,
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, sunglasses, sunscreen and identification tags for small children.
For information, call 461-5200 or visit www.clearwaterjazz.com.
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Article published on Monday, Oct. 5, 2009
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