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Bennett, Sanborn headline Clearwater Jazz Holiday
Tampa saxophonist B.K. Jackson gets the party started on Thursday, Oct. 16
By LEE CLARK ZUMPE
Article published on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/101408_leconcert-01.jpg) |
| Michael Vollbracht is the designer of the 2008 Clearwater Jazz Festival poster. |
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CLEARWATER – The Clearwater Jazz Holiday begins Thursday, Oct. 16 and continues through Sunday, Oct. 19, at Coachman Park, on the waterfront in downtown Clearwater, accessible from Drew Street or via Cleveland Street (State Road 60).
The four-day festival features performances by some of the hottest names in the genre as well as emerging talent who will undoubtedly go on to headline concerts of their own in the coming years.
A perfect example of an up-and-coming performer is Tampa’s Bernard “B.K.” Jackson who is opening the festival on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Jackson, a 17-year-old saxophonist, is a senior at Howard W. Blake High School in Tampa.
“I am very thankful and feel honored to know that the Clearwater Jazz Holiday would trust me in kicking off a highly demanded event,” Jackson said in a recent e-mail interview. “It is an event that I look forward to going to every year to hear from the greats and for me to be on stage this year – I consider it a blessing and a great privilege.”
Since the age of 11, Jackson has been electrifying audiences. He recently won the 2008 Capital Jazz Fest Competition. He also was the winner of the Black Diamond Award for 2007 Tampa Bay Entertainer of the Year.
Jackson said he was introduced to jazz when he was in seventh grade.
“From that point on, I wanted to be a jazz musician. The more I studied, the more I learned, the stronger the passion became.”
Jackson has already opened for acts like Kirk Whalum, Eric Darius and BB King. He keeps in touch with Whalum and Darius, often seeking musical advice.
“They are very helpful in assisting me when I have a question about licks, tone and musicians to listen to.”
Aside from looking forward to performing, Jackson is excited about seeing many of the other musicians playing this year’s festival.
“I will be there when Tony Bennett hits the stage,” Jackson said. “I am looking forward to hearing him. I am also anxious to hear Patti Austin, David Sanborn, Kyle Eastwood, the Brubeck Brothers and Joe Sample.”
Another example of an emerging talent is saxophonist, singer, songwriter, composer and arranger, Grace Kelly. Kelly began studying saxophone at age 10. Now 16, she has already recorded or performed with legendary musicians such as Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Dave Brubeck, Wynton Marsalis, Rufus Reid and Dianne Reeves. She’s played venues such as Carnegie Hall, Birdland, The Kennedy Center, Boston Symphony Hall and the Dakota Jazz Club.
In a recent interview, Kelly spoke about how she became aware of her musical inclination.
“Music has always been playing in my house ever since I was born,” she said. According to her, instead of television, music was on most of the time, either on the radio or on CDs. She credits her mother for introducing her to American songbook songs and jazz. “I started singing ever since I could talk ... singing Broadway tunes. It was then that my music teacher and parents noticed a gift I had for music.”
Kelly said that music seemed very natural to her.
“When I picked up the sax at 10 after being inspired by Stan Getz, I started playing songs like ‘My Funny Valentine’ and ‘Besame Mucho’ six weeks after I started playing,” Kelly said. “I learned all these songs by ear with my teacher and had an instant connection with the saxophone.”
The performer has some strong opinions when it comes to music in school.
“It is so important for schools to include music in the curriculum,” Kelly said. “It makes me so sad and disheartened when I hear about music being the first thing to be pulled out of schools.” She said her elementary school teacher was the first one who really encouraged her to continue music and recognized her gift. He even encouraged her to make a CD. “I would say he planted the seed for me musically.
“Music is such a joyous thing that all of us can relate to across the world and to be able to appreciate it is huge,” Kelly went on to say. “I believe that the respect and inspiration all first comes from music class.”
Many people in the music industry, including the multi-talented Ann Hampton Callaway, have used the term “child prodigy” when referring to Kelly, something the young performer is thankful for but somewhat uncomfortable with.
“I find that a huge compliment but never really love it when people use the ‘prodigy’ word, she said. “I feel blessed that I found what I love to do early on and worked hard to begin to craft this art. I would really call Mozart a ‘child prodigy,’ who was writing symphonies at 2 or something crazy like that.”
Covering music from the ’30s through today, The Venturas perform on Sunday, Oct. 19, 3 to 4:15 p.m., bringing a wealth of experience to the stage.
Based in Sarasota, the band is fronted by vocalist Ally Couch. Joining her are Greg Poulos on guitar, Eddie Tobin on keys, J.P. Coley on acoustic and electric bass and Art Siegel on drums.
According to Siegel, this is the band’s first time playing the festival. Siegel explained some of the differences between playing a gig at a small, smoke-filled jazz club and playing an outdoor festival.
“Sound is one of the main things,” he said. “A club is more intimate and we can hear each other differently than with an outdoor event with a large stage everyone is kind of spread out and you hear each other through monitors.”
That said, it’s clear that The Venturas are up to the challenge and excited about the opportunity to be a part of the festival.
“We have played large events before but this is one of the largest and the high quality and fame of the other performers is particularly inspiring,” he said. “We are thrilled to be participating.”
In addition to playing, the band is equally enthusiastic about seeing other musicians at the show.
“We are looking forward to all the performers we be able to see on our day,” Siegel said. “I, the drummer, am particularly looking forward to Joey Defrancesco as I own a Hammond b3 and have regular jam sessions in my home rehearsal space.”
This year’s headliners include Tony Bennett, David Sanborn, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Patti Austin.
Bennett career spans more than half a century. He started out as a crooner singing pop tunes like “Because of You” and “Blue Velvet.” His popularity waned during the height of the rock music era, but he returned to the limelight in the ’80s and ’90s as a new generation embraced his musical style.
Sanborn, an unrivaled player who straddles the pop and jazz worlds while commanding respect in both, has worked with Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder and The Rolling Stones. Since his first solo album “Taking Off” was released in 1975, Sanborn has recorded more than 20 studio albums.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, a contemporary swing band from California, released their eponymous debut album of retro-swing in 1994 and followed it up quickly with seasonal favorite “Watchu’ Want for Christmas.” Their hit “Go Daddy-O” was featured in the 1996 comedy “Swingers.”
Austin began her career in 1953, at age 4, debuting at the Apollo Theater. She signed a contract with RCA Records when she was only 5. Austin is best known for her biggest mainstream hit “Baby, Come To Me,” a song that gained even more fame when it was featured as the love theme for a prominent storyline on the soap opera “General Hospital.”
Besides the music, plenty of vendors will be on hand selling food, drink and other merchandise. A kid’s area offers games and other entertainment to keep the children happy.
Following is this year’s complete lineup:
Thursday, Oct. 16, gates open at 5 p.m.
- B.K. Jackson, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Kyle Eastwood Band, 7 to 8 p.m.
- Tony Bennett, 8:30 to 10 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17, gates open at 4 p.m.
- Karen Benjey, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Stefon Harris and Blackout, 6 to 7:15 p.m.
- Joe Sample, 7:45 to 9 p.m.
- David Sanborn, 9:30 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 18, gates open at 2:30 p.m.
- Ken Loomer Big Band, 3:45 to 5 p.m.
- Grace Kelly Quintet, 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.
- Brubeck Brothers Quartet, 7:15 to 8:45 p.m.
- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, 9:15 to 10:45 p.m.
- Fireworks, 10:45 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 19, gates open at 1 p.m.
- REH/CJH Jazz Youth Band with Billy Norris, 1:45 to 2:30 p.m.
- The Venturas, 3 to 4:15 p.m.
- Eldar Djangirov Trio, 4:45 to 6 p.m.
- Joey DeFrancesco Trio, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Patti Austin and the Clearwater Jazz Holiday Orchestra, 8:30 to 10 p.m.
A number of safety and security measures have been put in place at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday for the enjoyment, safety and comfort of all festival attendees, artists and staff. The following are not be permitted at the event: pets, except registered, seeing eye dogs; grills, hibachis, or open flames of any kind; glass containers or bottles; coolers, food or drink of any kind; unauthorized vendors; tents, canopies or umbrellas; overnight camping; audio or video recording devices; inline skating, skateboarding; littering; guns, knives or weapons of any kind; cell phones or pagers during performances; fireworks, laser pointers.
The following items are recommended: lawn chairs, blankets, sunglasses, sunscreen and identification tags for small children.
Coachman Park is located on the waterfront in downtown Clearwater and is accessible from Drew Street or via Cleveland Street (State Road 60).
For more information, visit www.clearwaterjazz.com.
2008 poster
Michael Vollbracht designed this year’s Clearwater Jazz Festival poster.
Born in Quincy, Illinois, Vollbracht began his career in 1965 at the Parsons School of Design in New York City. He graduated in 1969, winning the Norman Norrell Award, the school’s highest honor. The award was presented to Michael by Bill Blass and thus began a long and lasting friendship.
In 1969, Geoffrey Beene selected Vollbracht to become a member of his design team. In 1971, Donald Brooks hired him to work under his label as the designer for Boutique Donald Brooks. Afterwards, Vollbracht joined the elegant store Henri Bendel in 1973 as their in-house illustrator.
In 1975, Vollbracht began illustrating Bloomingdale’s stores’ advertisements. Vollbracht’s modern works became instantly recognizable, including his design of the now-iconic Bloomingdale’s shopping bag. It bore his sketch and name – but not the store’s name. An error that was discovered after nine million bags had been printed –it made him a sensation.
In 1979, he launched Michael Vollbracht Ltd. where he received the prestigious Coty American Fashion Critics Award for Designer of the Year. His collection was sold in major department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue.
In 1985, Vollbracht wrote, illustrated and published his book Nothing Sacred a visual memoir and diary of his 25 years in New York.
In 1999, Michael’s great friend and mentor, Bill Blass called on him to work with him on “Bill Blass: An American Designer” the retrospective exhibition of Blass’ career, and to edit the book that accompanied the exhibition. After Blass died in 2002, Vollbracht was appointed Artistic Director of Bill Blass Ltd. After achieving the critical acclaim that Michael envisioned for Bill Blass Ltd., he decided to follow his passion and devote the next phase of his career to painting. Michael now devotes his “sacred hours” to his cottage studio and the west coast of Florida pursuing his love of painting full time.
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Article published on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008
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