April-May 2024

Panama City Beach, Florida

Publisher and Managing Editor

Melanie Maxwell

Operations & Distribution Manager

Craig Collier

Contributors Cashmira

Darcy Peters

Copy Editors

JoAnn Armke

Paula Fitzgerald

Barbara Knox

Brad Sondak

Graphic Design

Gina Mancini

Contributing Photographers Cover of Nathan Mitchell: SuZen Branding Photography

Malcolm Ali/Finaimage.com

Ben Eytalis Media

Pat Benter

Describe The Fauna

Ellis Moore Photography

Jeremy Fratkin

Katherine Gilraine

Robert Hubbard

Sheree Johnson/IMI Inc.

Rhonda Kilpatrick

Mélisa Miranda

Raj Naik

Danny Naritoku

Colin Peck

Bobby Quillard

Daniel Ray

Aaron Rebaza

Kristie Schram

Tia Sinclair

Lori Stoll

Art Streiber

Trevorcreative.com

Elan Trotman

Smooth Jazz News

5519 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., #134 San Diego, CA 92117 858-541-1919

smoothjazznews@aol.com

www.smoothjazznews.com

We will publish five issues of

April-May,

The

Smooth-Jazz News/123513291125001

@SmoothJazzNews

CONTENTS

The Fifth Annual Dymally International Jazz & Arts Festival, featuring Jonathan Butler and more, is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, at the Dignity Health Sports Park Tennis Stadium in Car California. This official “International Jazz Day”-sanctioned event also includes a visual artists pavilion and a second stage for emerging artists’ performances. Proceeds from this annual event benefit university programs such as the CSUDH Presidential Scholars, The Dymally Fellow s Program and the African American Leadership Training Summit, as they seek to put their creative economy to work for the benefit of higher education. For information on this event, and others happening in April and May, check out our calendar section beginning on page 22.

8 Notes from the Publisher

The surprising genesis of smooth jazz events: Fans turn pro at producing concerts and festivals in their communities

10 Smooth Jazz News home delivery

Subscribe today: Online, by phone, mail or at our booth during the Seabreeze Jazz Festival or the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest in April!

12 25th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival

A Florida radio station turns the dial to a top-tier event, selling out months in advance for its 25th anniversary

16 FREE CD-with-subscription offer

When you subscribe to Smooth Jazz News at the Seabreeze Jazz Festival or the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest

18 Nathan Mitchell

The smooth jazz rising-star spotlight focuses on a long-serving and well-deserving multifaceted artist who is now a headliner

21 DISCover New Music

What’s new and hot!

22 Calendar of smooth jazz events Concerts, festivals and brunches nationwide

33 Smooth Jazz News merchandise

Get fashion-ready for festival season with our apparel: hoodies, fleece jackets, golf shirts, T-shirts, tank tops and hats

34 Annual Jazz Festival Guide

Festival season presents global options galore!

45 Annual Jazz Cruise Guide

Revel in the jazz life at sea!

46 Book Review

“My Name Is Barbra,” by Barbra Streisand

46 Cashmira’s Starguide          Spring horoscopes

Photo: Raj Naik

Photo: Malcolm Ali/Finaimage.com

Jonathan Butler

Boney James

Alex Bugnon

Gregory Porter

Will Donato

Kenny Lattimore

Pieces of a Dream

Blake Aaron

Sypro Gyra

Jeff Ryan Greg Manning

Photo

When radio stations abandoned the smooth jazz format and sponsorships, dedicated fans stepped up to stage concerts and festivals—with benefits

MOST FESTIVALS AND CONCERTS

are made possible by the generous support of sponsors such as Kathy Payne, chief financial officer/owner of Payne Pest Management. These contributions became critically important after the abandonment of the smooth jazz radio format more than a decade ago. That’s when established stationsponsored festivals and concert series simply vanished.

To fill that void, several other passionate fans have created genre events in their communities. And, some of them have become wonderful success stories. Not only do they bring thrills to jazz fans with live music, but their passion for it and the artists, along with their benevolent spirits, have launched foundations and nonprofit organizations. The proceeds from these fun-filled events raise money for their favorite causes.

Here are two examples:

Cathy Powers, a radiologist, produced her first concert in 2005 in Tampa, Florida. It was the same year she launched The Florida Smooth Jazz Foundation. But like any business venture, including charitable ones, it takes a while, if ever, to earn a profit.

“Our first three concerts were at Ferguson Hall of Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center with attendance of less than 300 guests per show,” said Powers, who resides in Deland, Florida, with her husband. “We had Chuck Loeb and Kim Waters for the first one, then Euge Groove and Paul Brown, and The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman was the last one.”

Although these were popular acts, attracting ticket-buyers to a new event was challenging, even back then.

“Needless to say, with less than 300 customers per show, we had very significant losses. And, we had to personally donate to the foundation to cover the losses, and we were not able to donate to any charities,” she shared.

After that, she produced a few other shows in St. Petersburg and Cocoa Beach, Florida, and also supported concerts in Brevard County and a festival near Orlando, Florida, all of which either barely broke even or lost money. Those losses continued until her 2nd Annual Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend.

“We were then able to begin supporting merit scholarships for music students of Brevard Community College (now called Eastern Florida State College) in 2016, and then the merit scholarship program at Daytona State College beginning in 2019,” she explained.

Since then, she estimates that her foundation has donated more than $100,000 to charitable causes: $40,000 through 2022, $45,000 in 2023, and $17,500 so far this year.

“In 2023, the minimum we donated was $12,500 in Daytona State College music scholarships, $5,000 to Closing the Gap in Health Care at the Lowcountry Jazz Festival, at least $10,000 to HAPCO Music Foundation, and at least $15,000 to Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation,” Powers explained.

And to bring the philanthropy even closer to our genre, Powers surprised saxophonist Marcus Anderson with a $5,000 donation to the Marcus Anderson Endowment Fund following his performance at last year’s Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend.

“This was our second donation of $5,000 to his endowment fund that year,” Powers explained. “We had already donated $5,000 in July at his Jazz AND Coffee Escape at North Carolina Central University in Durham.”

Anderson was overcome with emotion when Powers and her stage hosts—Mark Perry (a Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation board member) and Becky Taylor—presented

Cathy Powers (center) donating proceeds from The Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend in 2023 to Marcus Anderson for his endowment fund at North Carolina Central University, alongside hosts Mark Perry and Becky Taylor (left) and saxophonist Eric Darius (right)

the check for his organization, which supports students in the university’s jazz studies program.

These funds were all generated from her popular and often soldout events, including The Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend, hosted by Eric Darius, and the Daytona Jazz Weekend, hosted by Mindi Abair.

Last year, Powers and her Florida Smooth Jazz Foundation also teamed up with trumpeter Rick Braun to produce his New Year’s Eve Getaway, which they relocated from Tucson, Arizona, to Orlando. She also partnered with Ruth Eckerd Hall in 2023 for the first Clearwater Smooth Jazz Jam. Both of these events were huge successes, and tickets are already selling well for 2024.

“We have finally reached a point where the foundation is selfsustaining, and we can safely increase our donations and support the charitable organizations that we believe in,” Powers said.

“Our mission is twofold: to produce successful events that are fan-friendly, provide value, and support our artists, musicians and vendors, while generating revenue that can support charitable organizations that focus on music education and health-care education,” she concluded.

For more information on The Florida Smooth Jazz Foundation, visit www.floridasmoothjazz.com.

Carl and Melody Harness have been producing smooth jazz concerts and festivals as side ventures since 1995. Their most successful project is the Uptown Music & Arts Festival in their hometown of

Tampa, Florida, now in its fourth year. Although Carl works as a chief county administrator for Hillsborough County government, and Melody is an attorney at a national litigation firm, their passion for smooth jazz sparked their event-producing endeavors.

“We started producing smooth jazz festivals for charity in 2019, working in conjunction with a community development corporation in the Uptown area of Tampa, which is near the University of South Florida,” said Carl, who began his smooth jazz concert producing endeavors with his partner Tommy Webster. Back then it was called TomCat Productions Inc., and based in Cleveland, where Carl and Melody lived before moving to Tampa 21 years ago. “I also produced festivals for the City of Gainesville, Florida, from 1999-2004, as well as co-producing the 2015 Lowcountry Jazz Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, and concerts in Tampa and Panama City Beach.,” Carl added.

In 2022, the couple asked Mark Perry to join UEG Productions Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which produces the Uptown Music & Arts Festival. Mark has been producing smooth jazz charity events with the Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation for 15 years.

“I was invited into the Clearwater Jazz Holiday organization due to my vast background in the entertainment industry: vocalist for Third Street Exit, owner of Perrier Productions, partner in The Fox Jazz Club,” said Perry, a Tampa resident who works as a continued on page 10

continued from page 9

senior training specialist for the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office. “I also serve as the host emcee for The Florida Smooth Jazz Foundation’s events throughout the year.”

Carl said that he, Melody and Mark are the principals of UEG Productions, and they handle all aspects of producing the Uptown Music & Arts Festival, along with a team of volunteer leaders.

“The initial goal of the Uptown Music & Arts Festival was to raise awareness of the revitalization and successes of the Uptown area of Tampa and the programs and services the University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) provides to the community,” Carl explained. “The festival tickets were kept very affordable to make it possible for families living around the community center to be able to experience an exciting, all-inclusive cultural event and gain knowledge regarding the programs and services offered by the UACDC. We achieved that goal and were also able to raise over $20,000.”

Carl said that their long-term goal is: “To become nationally known as an outstanding contemporary jazz and arts festival and a destination event that includes a diverse and inclusive lineup and provides opportunities to up-and-coming contemporary jazz artists, while becoming a major contributor to the empowerment of the underserved in the Tampa Bay area through music, arts, and cultural education and engagement.”

A portion of the proceeds of this year’s Uptown Music & Arts Festival are slated to benefit the UACDC and Howard W. Blake High School’s performing arts program.

“I’d like you to know that we will be working with the artists to do a master class and/or project with some of the jazz band students at Blake High School. Eric Darius and BK Jackson both graduated from Blake. Eric and José (Valentino) have each agreed to do something with the students this year, and we are trying to coordinate with his schedule and the school,” Carl concluded.

For more information on the Uptown Music & Arts Festival, scheduled for May 25-26, at Curtis Hixon Riverfront Park in Tampa, Florida, visit https://uptownmusicfestival.com.

Mark Perry with Melody and Carl Harness, producers of the Uptown Music & Arts Festival in Tampa, Florida

Photo: Sheree Johnson/IMI Inc.

25TH ANNUAL

Seabreeze Jazz Festival

PRESENTED BY PANAMA CITY BEACH

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA | APRIL 24-28

By Jonathan Widran and Melanie Maxwell

The Seabreeze Jazz Festival has earned an honor few jazz festivals can boast about—it sells out months in advance. Held a block from the Gulf Coast’s sugar-white sand beach, this year’s 25th anniversary festival sold out even earlier, in October 2023. Sure, the scenic travel destination and stellar lineup—Brian Culbertson, Boney James, Kenny G, Kool & The Gang are headliners this year—are definitely enticing but a popular TV personality who attended last year’s Seabreeze Jazz Festival may have influenced a wider audience.

Last April, the 8,500 lucky smooth jazz fans attending the 24th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Panama City Beach, Florida, enjoyed a special treat. The surprise guest, daytime TV talk show host Sherri Shepherd, took the stage of the Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater

Rick Braun

Photo: Raj Naik

Marcus Anderson

Photo: Mélisa Miranda

between sets on Thursday and Sunday. The appreciative crowd roared during her short skit when she joked that there was probably too much security, considering the genre’s average-age demographic. The “Sherri” show host made them roar again when she playfully dubbed the event “Oldchella.”

Later, Shepherd took photos with fans and enjoyed meet-and-greets with many of the participating artists, moments which she included that week in the lengthy “Sherri Shepherd’s Birthday Bash” segment on her nationally syndicated show. Her ongoing lovefest with smooth jazz continued in the weeks and months that followed, as she invited featured artists from the event, including James, to perform on her show.

To the festival’s producers, Mark Carter and his wife of 44 years, Renee’, Shepherd’s ability to “bring the music front and center” to her mainstream audience is essential exposure because there are only 12 terrestrial smooth jazz radio stations left in the U.S. Though events like Seabreeze and smooth jazz-themed cruises are perennially sold out, many fans who enjoyed the music through now-off-the-air terrestrial radio outlets often feel disconnected from the community and their favorite artists without them.

As owners of WSBZ-FM 106.3 FM in Destin, Florida, 50 miles west of Panama City Beach, the Carters do their part to keep the music flowing on the airwaves by programming a 24/7 terrestrial smooth jazz FM radio station all year long. The Seabreeze Jazz Festival, which launched with only 300 attendees in 1999, was an outgrowth of the station, which marks its 30-year anniversary this year.

“The station promotes the festival, and the festival promotes the station,” Carter explained, adding, “If our fans don’t have a smooth jazz station where they live, they can take us home and listen on the festival app, like an extension of the musical experience they just had. As far as the musical mix goes, we use the same strategy in programming the station and booking the festival. While some of the existing terrestrial stations, like the one in Atlanta, skew more urban-R&B, we lean more on the contemporary jazz side, including legacy artists like Spyro Gyra and Acoustic Alchemy among the incredible emerging talent.”

A loyal fan who incorporates the Seabreeze Jazz Festival into her multifaceted festival experience is Rhonda Kilpatrick. The San Diegobased retiree, who drives Uber to support her smooth jazz travels, has been to the Panama City Beach event 10 times.

“I come for the entire week and find the city so calming with the sea nearby,” she said. “I prefer to go alone, because once I arrive,

I reconnect with so many friends I’ve made at previous festivals who are now, of course, Facebook friends as well. We’ve created a wonderful jazz community where everyone is so friendly, open and diverse in age and background. We get along so well and spend quality time together.

“I start each day on the balcony of my hotel, looking at the beautiful Emerald Coast and getting in the mood for the live music by listening to the local station.

“I make Seabreeze one of my annual trips for a number of reasons,” Kilpatrick added, “one of which is that the festival offers the best variety of artists. Mark [Carter] seems to favor more jazz than R&B, as some producers do these days, but he always knows the perfect artists to invite from the urban world that blend well with the jazz artists. Like this year, he’s got Kool & The Gang, last year he had The Jacksons, and he once invited Ruben Studdard. I especially love the rising-star portion of the festival. Mark picks artists on the rise to perform, and usually their success here leads them to bigger things in their careers.”

A recent example is keyboardist Nathan Mitchell. The Panama City, Florida, native who now lives in Tampa, Florida, first performed at Seabreeze as a member of the late Nick Colionne’s band in 2014. Last year, Carter booked him for a solo slot before James’ set. He dazzled the crowd from the get-go with an initially gentle, then funked up, brass-fired version of “Pure Imagination.” Carter described Mitchell as “so dynamic and different.” An eight-minute clip of Mitchell’s show posted to the festival’s Facebook page earned 84,000 views. Mitchell later told Carter that his show at Seabreeze marked a turning point for him, and he’s since been invited to eight festivals, including the 2023 Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival. Carter has added him to the bill this year.

In addition to Mitchell, other risingstar artists in recent years include Lindsey Webster, Adam Hawley, Ryan La Valette, Justin-Lee Schultz and Nicholas Cole. Guitarist LEMEK and vocalist Erin Stevenson are this year’s rising stars, performing April 26 and April 27, respectively.

Lineupwise, Carter calls this year’s 25th anniversary Seabreeze Jazz Festival: “Something of a greatest hits of the last quarter-century, programmed like a radio set. Our question was, ‘Who should we put into that lineup to paint a picture of this time frame?’ We started thinking about the shows that did well in the past.”

Having played 19 of the 25 events, Culbertson was an obvious choice. Among other previous performers, he invited Kenny G (who played

Richard Elliot

Vincent Ingala

JJ Sansaverino

Photo: Lori Stoll

Photo: Bobby Quillard

Photo: Aaron Rebaza

continued from page 13

once before in 2017), James, Jonathan Butler, Jeffrey Osborne, Peter White, Rick Braun, Eric Darius, Candy Dulfer, Damien Escobar (a one-time street performer violinist whose core audience skews younger), and Ken Ford (who played the after-party in 2022). In addition, legendary bassist Marcus Miller makes his Seabreeze debut in 2024.

Adding a bit of the R&B flavor to the lineup, Carter felt that Kool & The Gang would be perfect to help with the

“I come for the entire week and find the city so calming with the

sea

nearby. I prefer

to go

alone,

because once

I

arrive, I reconnect with so many friends I’ve made at previous festivals who are now, of course, Facebook friends as well. We’ve created a wonderful jazz community where everyone is so friendly, open and diverse in age and background.”

— Rhonda Kilpatrick, San Diego

some who have never missed a year since 1999—it’s become not only a successful business venture, but a big family reunion as well. So naturally, he invited Sister Sledge this year to sing, among other songs, “We Are Family.”

The main-stage shows at Seabreeze run from noon to about 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. For most fans, it’s a long fulfilling day, but for those who want to keep the fun going, there’s a nightly afterparty at Pompano Joe’s Seafood House, located at the adjacent Pier Park shopping complex. The festival rents the restaurant and decorates it like a blues and jazz club for up to 200 patrons each night, hosting performances this year by Brian Simpson and Jackiem Joyner on Thursday,

an old-school party hosted by Vincent Ingala on Friday, Marcus Anderson on Saturday, and Canadian duo Four80East on Sunday. For fans arriving early in the week, a pre-festival dinner cruise on Wednesday features Dulfer on nearby St. Andrews Bay aboard the Solaris entertainment yacht based out of Destin, plus a brunch cruise with Darius on Thursday.

Seabreeze’s array of food vendors include many influenced by the culinary delights of nearby New Orleans and a tasty mix of what Carter calls “Gulf Coast flavors” and soul food. Because the festival is so close to the Gulf, the craft vendor section is more like a beach market, offering jewelry and fashion with a New Orleans vibe. Also available is work by local artists, including the official 2024 Seabreeze T-shirt designed by Stuart McClean from New Orleans, who also designed the artwork for the festival’s official program.

Brian Culbertson

This will be the ninth year Seabreeze will use the RFID (radio frequency identification) wristband, encoded with each customer’s ticket order and linked to credit cards or cash, which also serves as a “digital wallet” and ticket to the event. This is the only method of payment for on-site food, beverage, merchandise and other purchases. “It’s a system used at a lot of major festivals,” said Carter. “It makes sense for us to combine entry to the event with cashless purchasing, and it keeps the queue lines running very quickly.”

Carter said April in Panama City Beach has perfect festival weather, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low 80s, before the summer humidity sinks in.

“We look at Seabreeze like a cruise without the ship, without losing luggage, and needing a visa,” he added. “It’s close to the whitesand beaches and hotels, condos and vacation homes that are literally within steps of the amphitheater. We’re also directly across from Pier Park, which has 150 shops and restaurants, a SkyWheel, IMAX

Kenny G

Brian Simpson

Brian Culbertson

Boney James

Photo: Describe The Fauna

Photo: Art Streiber

Photo: Bobby Quillard

Photo: Daniel Ray

Kool & The Gang

theater and all types of attractions. Fishing in Panama City is another huge attraction, and the fishing pier at Pier Park is the longest on the Gulf Coast. The venue is also close to championship golf courses, so there are always a lot of things to do. Our festival is a great hopping point for a great beach vacation, which is why so many fans come for the whole week.”

For accommodations, fans can contact Panhandle Getaways, a company that arranges rentals for local condos and beach houses. There are also many nearby hotels, including the Calypso Beach Resort, TownePlace Suites by Marriott and Hyatt Place of Panama City Beach, which opened in 2022.

Proud of the way Seabreeze’s popularity has grown over the years, Carter said he’s amazed at how this year’s event sold out before the lineup was announced. One of the major turning points was the construction of the Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater, which was built in 2012 with $4.2 million of the funds Bay County received from BP Oil as a result of the devastating Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Ironically, the spill happened the week of the 2010 Seabreeze festival.

“Everything this year comes back to the idea of treating the festival like a 25-years-in-the-making, fan-requested, greatest-hits-of-Seabreeze set and thanking the fans who have supported us for 25 incredible years,” said Carter. “Our goal is to simply provide a great event that people will remember like a favorite button they can press on their radio to relive over and over.”

Carter calls this year’s 25th anniversary Seabreeze Jazz Festival, “Something of a greatest hits of the last quarter-century, programmed like a radio set. Our question was, ‘Who should we put into that lineup to paint a picture of this time frame.’”

— Mark Carter, festival producer

WHEN

April 24-28

WHERE

Panama City Beach, Florida

Festival: Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater, 500 W. Park Dr. Dining Cruises: Aboard the Solaris entertainment yacht, boards at the Lighthouse Marina, 5325 N. Lagoon Dr. After-Parties: Pompano Joe’s Seafood House, Pier Park, 16202 Front Beach Road

GETTING THERE

Flights are available into the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) in Panama City Beach and DestinFort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The venue is approximately 10 miles from ECP and 55 miles from VPS.

STAYING THERE

Visit www.seabreezejazzfestival.com for available hotel rooms, condominiums and beach rentals, along with nightly rates and locations.

PARKING

General admission parking is free at adjacent Pier Park. All reserved tickets (Gold, Premium and Ultimate Jazz Tables) include on-site parking in a dedicated lot.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

The 2024 Seabreeze Jazz Festival main-stage performances on the festival grounds, dining cruises and after-parties are sold out. However, tickets may be found through a reseller at reseller. promotix.com, which can also be accessed on the festival website by clicking the “Verified Reseller Tickets/PromoTix” link. Carter said this site verifies the validity of each wristband it resells. Carter also said, “Any Facebook Group Page for the Seabreeze Jazz Festival is not us and not official. We have a public ‘Seabreeze Jazz Festival’ Facebook page, not a group page you are asked to join. Our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/SeabreezeJazzFestival. It is a public page and free for anyone to view without asking the user to join.”

In lieu of paper tickets, festival patrons will receive wristbands, with embedded RFID technology, which is also the digital currency for all festival purchases inside the venue.

For complete Seabreeze Jazz Festival details and more infor mation about the cashless system, visit www.seabreezejazzfestival.com or call 850-267-3279.

LINEUP

Wednesday, April 24

*Seabreeze Dinner Cruise featuring Candy Dulfer, boards at 6:30 p.m., sails at 7 p.m. (sold-out)

continued on page 16

Photo: Tia Sinclair

continued from page 15

Thursday, April 25

*Seabreeze Jazzy Brunch Cruise featuring Eric Darius, boards at 8:30 a.m., sails at 9 a.m. (sold-out)

*Dining cruises are separately ticketed events aboard the Solaris entertainment yacht, sailing around St. Andrews Bay. Boarding at the Lighthouse Marina, 5325 N. Lagoon Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida.

On festival grounds (gates open at 10:30 a.m., music starts at noon)

Ragan Whiteside ........................................................................noon

Peter White and Vincent Ingala 1:45 p.m.

Spyro Gyra ............................................................................ 3:30 p.m.

Marcus Miller 5:15 p.m.

Jeffrey Osborne ........................................................................ 7 p.m.

Candy Dulfer

After-Party (separately ticketed event) featuring Brian Simpson and Jackiem Joyner

p.m.

p.m.

Pompano Joe’s Seafood House, Pier Park, 16202 Front Beach Road

Friday, April 26 On festival grounds (gates open at 10:30 a.m.)

Adam Hawley .............................................................................noon

Jonathan Butler

p.m.

Rick Braun and Richard Elliot .................................................. 3 p.m.

Eric Darius and Rebecca Jade

Damien Escobar ..................................................................

Kool & The Gang

After-Party (separately ticketed event) featuring Vincent Ingala’s Old School Party

p.m.

p.m.

Pompano Joe’s Seafood House, Pier Park, 16202 Front Beach Road

Saturday, April 27 On festival grounds (gates open at 10:30 a.m.)

JJ Sansaverino.............................................................................noon

Bobby Lyle

p.m.

Cindy Bradley ............................................................................ 3 p.m.

Ken Ford

Erin Stevenson (Seabreeze rising star)...............................

Kenny G

After-Party (separately ticketed event)

p.m.

p.m.

Sunday, April 28 On festival grounds (gates open at 10:30 a.m.)

Roman Street noon

Althea Rene and Jeanette Harris ..................................... 1:30 p.m.

Down To The Bone

Sister Sledge

Boney James

Brian Culbertson

After-Party (separately ticketed event)

p.m.

p.m.

Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando

Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando

Nathan Mitchell

Here’s the talent score: Composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, music educator and humanitarian

By Melanie Maxwell

When producer Mark Carter booked Nathan Mitchell as a rising star for his 2023 Seabreeze Jazz Festival, he had no idea how the performance would catapult the keyboardist into the spotlight of national media attention.

After that show, TV host Sherri Shepherd, who was celebrating her birthday weekend at Seabreeze—her first-ever jazz festival—tracked Mitchell down backstage. As they took selfies together, the host of the “Sherri” syndicated daytime talk show told Mitchell: “I’m completely fanning out. You’re amazing! I’m a big fan; I’m stuttering and everything. Oh, my gosh!”

During her show on Monday after the festival, the comedian and former “The View” co-host highlighted Mitchell and other Seabreeze performers. She admitted, “I wasn’t into jazz,” then added, “but I would encourage you to go to a jazz festival because it’s all such great music.”

Soon after, Mitchell began receiving offers to play other highprofile gigs for the first time as a solo artist. These included the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival, Lake Arbor Jazz Festival, Daytona Jazz Weekend, Jazz Legacy Foundation Gala, Arizona Jazz Fest and many more.

Although Seabreeze and Shepherd created the buzz that led to Mitchell’s burgeoning popularity, he attributes his increased bookings and growing fan base to his focus on building an actual show.

“We all love good music, but when people pay to go to these shows they want to be entertained and be a part of an experience,” said Mitchell, who was born in Panama City, Florida

Photo: Ben Eytalis Media

and played his first gig on the Seabreeze stage as part of the late Nick Colionne’s band in 2014.

“I have watched many artists over the years, such as the late great Nick Colionne, Brian Culbertson, Eric Darius, Marcus Anderson, just to name a few, and all of them focus on giving the people an experience. I love showmanship, and I work very hard at trying to perfect this art for myself as well as develop a supporting cast of band members around me that embrace the same heart of entertaining our supporters with great musicianship, charisma and showmanship.”

However, Mitchell’s success isn’t limited to stage performances. His single “100% Cotton” climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s radio airplay chart in 2023. “I wrote that song as a tribute to my cousin, Darryl, who we call ‘100% Cotton,’” Mitchell explained. “His kidneys had completely shut down, and he was on dialysis. He’d been trying to get on a list for a kidney donor, but it wasn’t happening. When that song went to No. 1, it got massive media attention. And that’s when Darryl’s name got on a list for a donor.”

Last year was not only stellar musically for Mitchell, who currently resides in Tampa, Florida, he also received the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden for his 25-plus years of contributions and community service toward music education, advocacy and the fine arts.

“Many people are unaware that I was an educator in the public school systems of Florida and Virginia,” Mitchell said. “I still assist many charter schools with developing programs to increase funding towards keeping music programs in schools and bringing in new instruments and technology to assist in the development of these amazing students.

“The president of Harvest Christian University, Dr. Carl Robinson, contacted me, and musical peers and professionals recommended me, to be considered for an honorary doctoral degree in music education. When Dr. Robinson heard of all of my past achievements and verified my works with the various school board officials, he initiated the process of not only awarding me an honorary doctoral degree of music business and education, but he also submitted my name for consideration to the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award,” the 48-year-old, three-time NAACP Image Award winner added.

The former public school educator and three-time NAACP Image Award winner was presented the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden for his 25-plus years of contributions and community service toward music education, advocacy and the fine arts.

As Mitchell’s star rises higher, his benevolent pursuits continue. “I am currently working on a few efforts. However, one that is very dear to me is by way of my not-for-profit 501(c)(3) foundation, ‘Project BE Legendary.’ Our mission is to encourage, prepare and empower the legends of tomorrow through music mentorship and education, while advocating mental health awareness and wellness.

In addition, I am a board member of the Florida Chapter of the Recording Academy (Grammy Awards). As an elected official of this prestigious academy, I assist in advocating for creators of all genres for funding, health care, educational programs, mentorship, government legislations, etc.”

Mitchell accomplished all of this while his live performance bookings skyrocketed from 34 shows in 2022 to 62 last year. And he’s already on track to continue that pace. “At the rate we are going, I can easily match the 2023 number,” he said. “However, I was exhausted from all the travels last year, so I am going to cap my shows at 60 this year. We are already 70 percent there. I have 15 contracts pending at the moment.”

However, there may never have been a Nathan Mitchell smooth jazz star if it weren’t for a surprise call from drummer Frank “Third” Richardson more than a decade ago.

Mitchell had been working as a gospel and R&B artist when his wife died in 2010. After her passing, he stopped performing altogether.

continued on page 20

Photo: Katherine Gilraine

continued from page 19

In 2011, Richardson was scheduled to play a gig with Marcus Anderson and Will Donato at The Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton, Florida, and they needed a keyboard player. So, he called Mitchell, who initially declined the offer because he didn’t know anything about smooth jazz. In fact, the only smooth jazz songs he ever heard were Kenny G’s “Silhouette” and Norman Brown’s “That’s the Way Love Goes.” After some convincing by Richardson, the multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, composer and father reluctantly agreed to the gig. It was the first one since his wife’s passing.

In 2012, Colionne invited Mitchell to join his band, where he stayed until 2018. Since then, he’s been perfecting his performance chops that have earned him status as one of the must-see performers on the smooth jazz circuit.

For more information about Mitchell, including his complete tour schedule, visit www.nathanmitchellmusic.com.

ON TOUR

April 14

Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment

Seal Beach, California

www.spaghettini.com

April 27

Seabreeze Jazz Festival

Aaron Bessant Park

Panama City Beach, Florida

www.seabreezejazzfestival.com

May 16

7th Annual Algarve

Smooth Jazz Festival

Pine Cliffs Resort

Algarve, Portugal

www.algarve.smoothjazzfestival.de

In 2012, Nick Colionne invited Mitchell to join his band, where he stayed until 2018.

Since then , he’s been perfecting his performance chops that have earned him status as one of the must-see performers on the smooth jazz circuit.

July 26

Marcus Anderson’s Jazz AND Coffee Escape

North Carolina Central University

Durham, North Carolina

www.MAJACE.net

Sept. 7

Dauphin County

Jazz & Wine Festival

Fort Hunter Park

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

www.dauphincounty.gov/parks

Nov. 7-8

Jazz Legacy Foundation

12th Annual Gala

Hampton Roads Convention Center

Hampton, Virginia

https://jazzlegacyfoundation.org

Dec. 30-31

Rick Braun’s New Year’s Eve

Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel

Orlando, Florida, www.floridasmoothjazz.com

Photo: Ben Eytalis Media

Photo: Elan Trotman

REZA KHAN •MYSTICAL

(Painted Music LLC)

Reza Khan made the fascinating decision on his latest project, Mystical, to target each composition toward an intended guest artist, including Philippe Saisse, Nils, Jeff Lorber, Bob James, Keiko Matsui, Mark Egan, Jimmy Haslip, and Brendan Rothwell.

Its stellar tracks include sparkling reworkings of a few of his past songs along with excellent hit-bound new tunes written with saxophonist David Mann. There’s no doubt that working from a different mindset has led to a new level of infectious creative transcendence.

A vA ilA ble At : https://myiesstore.com/ rezakhanshop/, www.Amazon.com, Music.apple.com, most digital platforms and all major retailers

W ebsite : www.rezakhanmusic.com

QUINTIN GERARD W. •“TELL ME SOMETHING”• (SINGLE) (O.T.S. Music)

Fresh off his back-to-back No. 1 Billboard smash hit singles, “Broken Promises” and “On a Roll,” saxophonist Quintin Gerard W. presents his latest single release and knockout ballad titled “Tell Me Something,” which Allen Kepler from SmoothJazzNetwork. com says ... “It’s a hit from the very first listen!”

AvAilAble At: iTunes, www.amazon.com, https://music.apple.com, www.spotify.com W ebsite : www.quintingerardw.com

ARTHUR THOMPSON

“Oasis,” a Roberta Flack song, is the latest single by drummer Arthur Thompson.

“I love the way this song makes me feel,” he said. “I decided to put my spin on it and cover it! This is a feel-good song that you can groove to as well as dance along with.

“And, when the one you love is far away and you want them to know how the anticipation of just holding their hand and having intimate conversations face-to-face moves you towards ecstasy. This song is definitely a feel-good tune!”

Check out his new “Oasis” video on his website.

AvAilAble At: All streaming platforms, including iTunes, https://cdbaby.com and https://open.spotify.com

Website: www.arthurthompsondrums.com

Advertisement: To inquire about placement, call 858-541-1919 or email smoothjazzads@aol.com.

APRIL

2 Incognito, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500

4 21st Annual Earl Klugh’s Weekend of Jazz at The Broadmoor featuring Matthew Whitaker, 7:30pm; Rick Braun, Richard Elliot & Peter White, 9:15pm, International Center, The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado, www.weekendofjazz.com, 844-810-8205 (for 3-night package guests)

DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Norman Brown, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

5

21st Annual Earl Klugh’s Weekend of Jazz at The Broadmoor featuring Vincent Ingala, 7:30pm; Peabo Bryson & Haley Reinhart, 9:15pm, International Center; Late Night with A.R.T. featuring Al Turner, Ron Otis, Tom Braxton & special guest Wendy Moten, 11pm, Rocky

CONCERTS AND FESTIVALS

Mountain Ballroom, The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado, www.weekendofjazz.com, 844-810-8205 (for 2- & 3-night package guests)

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Welcome Concert featuring Greg Adams & East Bay Soul, 3pm; Gerald Veasley’s Unscripted Jam with Greg Adams, Bobby Lyle, Andrew Neu, Alex Bugnon, Aubrey Logan, Oli Silk, David P. Stevens, Kim Scott, Ilya Serov, Phil Denny, Curtis McCain, Jason Jackson, Albert Rivera, Carl Anderson, Tim George, Donald Robinson, Richard Waller & more, 11:30pm, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, small ballroom,

701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest featuring Najee & Friends with special guests Alex Bugnon, Alyson Williams & Tom Browne, 9:30pm, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

Norman Brown, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest featuring Marcus Miller & Jonathan Butler, 6pm, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 310 S. 7th Ave., W. Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

6

21st Annual Earl Klugh’s Weekend of Jazz at The Broadmoor featuring Nathan & Noah East, 7:30pm; Chris Botti, 9:15pm; International Center; Late Night with Marcus Anderson, 11pm, Rocky Mountain Ballroom, The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado, www.weekendofjazz.com, 844-810-8205 (for 2- & 3-night package guests)

Grooves at The Westin presents The Music of Al Jarreau featuring Chris Walker, Michael Paulo, Neil Larsen, Tris Imboden, Freddie Washington, Kiki Ebsen, Felicia Collins, Lenny Castro & Patches Stewart, 7pm, The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa, Westin Grooves Backyard, 71333 Dinah Shore Dr., Rancho Mirage, California, https://groovesatthewestin. com, 951-696-0184

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest featuring Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin & Kirk Whalum, noon; Incognito with Maysa, 9:30pm, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest presents ORGANIC Grooves featuring Bobby Lyle, Andrew Neu & The Bright & Tight Horns, 4pm, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, small ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest featuring Gerald Veasley’s Unscripted Jam with Gail Jhonson, Bobby Lyle, Andrew Neu, Aubrey Logan, Oli Silk, David P. Stevens, Kim Scott, Ilya Serov, Phil Denny, Curtis McCain, Jason Jackson, Carl Anderson, Paula Atherton, Albert Rivera, Donald Robinson & Richard Waller, 11:30pm, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, small ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest featuring The Future is Now with Aubrey Logan, Oli Silk, Phil Denny, Ilya Serov, Kim Scott, David P. Stevens, Carl Anderson, Tim George & Curtis McCain, 6pm, Miller Center for the Arts, Reading Area Community College, 4 N. 2nd St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

Norman Brown, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

7

Lee Ritenour, 7:30pm, Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, www.ramsheadonstage.com, 410-268-4545

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest featuring Keiko Matsui & The Reading Pops Orchestra, 3pm, Miller Center for the Arts, Reading Area Community College, 4 N. 2nd St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

Norman Brown, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest presents Gospel According to Jazz! with Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, John Stoddart, Kevin Whalum, Marcus Finnie, Andrea Lisa, Braylon Lacy, the Fresh Wind Gospel Choir & the Reading Choral Society, 6pm, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 310 S. 7th Ave., W. Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

8

Music Monday featuring Poncho Sanchez, 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

11

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest presents the Chuck Loeb Memorial All-Star Jam, hosted by Rick Braun & Gerald Veasley, featuring Eric Darius, Michael Paulo, Everette Harp, Ray Fuller, Marcus & Jean Baylor; Curtis McCain; Chris “Big Dog” Davis, Tom Zink, Tony Moore, Lin Rountree; Brian Bromberg; Rebecca Jade, Nicole Henry & more, 7pm, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

JULY 13

JULY 21 THRU SEPT 29

continued from page 23

12

Marcus Johnson, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest presents The Cats featuring Michael Paulo, Ray Fuller, Lin Rountree, Tony Moore, Tom Zink & special guest Brian Bromberg, 3pm, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, small ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest presents Remembering Grover Washington Jr., featuring Kirk Whalum, Kim Waters, Everette Harp, Gerald Veasley, Bill Jolly, Pablo Batista, Donald Robinson, Li’l John Roberts, Wawa Legrand, Carol Riddick & The Berks Horns, 9:30pm, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest featuring Gerald Veasley’s Unscripted Jam #3 with JJ Sansaverino, Andrea Lisa, Marqueal Jordan, Hubert Eaves III, Brian Bromberg, Michael Paulo, Ray Fuller, Carl Carter, Tom Zink, Tony Moore, Lin Rountree, Steve Oliver, Marion Meadows, Curtis McCain, Donald Robinson & Richard Waller, 11:30pm, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, small ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

Erin Stevenson, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest featuring West Coast Jam! with Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Peter White & The West Coast Horns, 6pm, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 310 S. 7th Ave., W. Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

13

Najee, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500

Smooth Jazz & Wine Concert Series featuring Marcus Anderson, 8pm, The Original Pittsburgh Winery, 2809 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, www.marcusanderson.net

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest featuring Eric Darius & Rebecca Jade, plus, the Rhythm & Groove Tour: Brian Simpson, Marion Meadows & Steve Oliver, noon; Gerald Veasley Unscripted: Jammin’ for Nico featuring Kim Waters, JJ Sansaverino, Chris “Big Dog” Davis, Eric Darius, Brian Simpson, Brian Bromberg, Ray Fuller, Marqueal Jordan, Tony Moore, Curtis McCain, Althea Rene & Carol Riddick, 10pm, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

Adrian Crutchfield, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest featuring Celebrating the Women in Jazz III, hosted by Chris “Big Dog” Davis, with Melba Moore, Maysa, Nicole Henry, Paulette McWilliams, Althea Rene & Jeanette Harris, 6pm, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 310 S. 7th Ave., W. Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

14

Nathan Mitchell “All White Party,” 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www. spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest featuring Brian Culbertson, 4pm, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 310 S. 7th Ave., W. Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

16

Bob James, 7:30pm, Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, www.ramsheadonstage.com, 410-268-4545

17

Mindi Abair, 8pm, Blue Note Napa, 1030 Main St., Napa, California, www.bluenotenapa.com, 707-880-2300

18

Norman Brown, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500

DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch

Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

19

Norman Brown, 6:30 & 9:30pm, Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, www.ramsheadonstage.com, 410-268-4545

Tracy Hamlin’s Sweet Jazz Festival featuring Art Sherrod Jr., 7:15pm; Alton McClain, 7:50pm; JJ Sansaverino, 8:20pm; Jeff Bradshaw, 9:05pm, The National Conference Center, 18665 Conference Center Dr., Leesburg, Virginia, www.sweetjazzfestival.com

Jay Rowe presents the 21st anniversary of Smooth Jazz for Scholars benefit concert for the City of Milford, Connecticut, public schools music department featuring Vincent Ingala, Althea Rene, Steve Oliver & Marcus Anderson, 8pm, Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the Parsons Complex, 70 W. River St., Milford, Connecticut, www.jayrowemusic.com, 203-874-4150

20

Tracy Hamlin’s Sweet Jazz Festival featuring Quentin Walston, 7:15pm; Karen Briggs, 7:35pm; Tracy Hamlin, 8:10pm; Adam Hawley, Julian Vaughn & Marcus Anderson, 8:50pm, The National Conference Center, 18665 Conference Center Dr., Leesburg, Virginia, www.sweetjazzfestival.com

Jay Rowe presents the 21st anniversary of Smooth Jazz for Scholars benefit concert for the City of Milford, Connecticut, public schools music department featuring Marion Meadows, Steve Cole, Blake Aaron, Alex Bugnon & Timmy Maia, 8pm, Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the Parsons Complex, 70 W. River St., Milford, Connecticut, www.jayrowemusic.com, 203-874-4150

Ilya Serov & Oli Silk CD-Release Party, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

21

Gregg Karukas, 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

22

Michael Lington & Marcus Miller Pre-Show Event, 5pm; Michael Lington presents Sax to Soul with Marcus Miller, 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

24

Mindi Abair, 8pm, Blue Note Napa, 1030 Main St., Napa, California, www.bluenotenapa.com, 707-880-2300

25th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival Dinner Cruise featuring Candy Dulfer, boards at 6:30pm, sails at 7pm, Cruise St. Andrews Bay aboard the Solaris entertainment yacht, Lighthouse Marina, 5325 N. Lagoon Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida, www.seabreezejazzfestival.com, 850-267-3279 (sold-out)

25

25th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival featuring Ragan Whiteside, noon; Peter White & Vincent Ingala, 1:45pm; Spyro Gyra, 3:30pm; Marcus Miller, 5:15pm; Jeffrey Osborne, 7pm; Candy Dulfer, 8:45pm, Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater, 500 W. Park Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida, www.seabreezejazzfestival.com, 850-267-3279 (sold-out)

25th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival After-Party featuring Brian Simpson & Jackiem Joyner, 11pm, Pompano Joe’s Seafood House, Pier Park, 16202 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, Florida, www.seabreezejazzfestival.com, 850-267-3279 (sold-out)

DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Tower of Power, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

continued on page 26

14TH ANNUAL

JULY 17 JULY 18 JULY 19

JULY

continued from page 25

26

25th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival featuring Adam Hawley, noon; Jonathan Butler, 1:30pm; RnR with Rick Braun & Richard Elliot, 3pm; Eric Darius & Rebecca Jade, 4:45pm; Seabreeze Rising StarLEMEK, 6:30pm; Damien Escobar, 7:45pm; Kool & The Gang, 9:30pm, Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater, 500 W. Park Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida, www.seabreezejazzfestival. com, 850-267-3279 (sold-out)

25th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival After-Party featuring Vincent Ingala’s Old-School Party, 11:30pm, Pompano Joe’s Seafood House, Pier Park, 16202 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, Florida, www.seabreezejazzfestival.com, 850-267-3279 (sold-out)

Braxton Brothers, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Tower of Power, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

27

5th Annual Dymally International Jazz & Arts Festival at California State University, Dominguez Hills featuring top international acts on two stages, including Angelique Kidjo, Stanley Clarke, Jonathan Butler, Third World, Judith Hill & Teodross Avery, hosted by comedian Capone, gates open at noon, music starts at 1pm, Dignity Health Sports Park Tennis Stadium, 18400 Avalon Blvd., Carson, California, www.csudh.edu/ dymally-institute/jazz-and-artsfestival, www.axs.com

25th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival featuring JJ Sansaverino, noon; Bobby Lyle, 1:30pm; Cindy Bradley, 3pm; Ken Ford, 4:45pm; Seabreeze Rising Star-Erin Stevenson, 6:30pm; Nathan Mitchell, 7:45pm; Kenny G, 9:30pm, Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater, 500 W. Park

Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida, www.seabreezejazzfestival.com, 850-267-3279 (sold-out)

25th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival After-Party featuring Marcus Anderson, 11:30pm, Pompano Joe’s Seafood House, Pier Park, 16202 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, Florida, www.seabreezejazzfestival. com, 850-267-3279 (sold-out)

Michael Paulo, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Tower of Power, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

28

25th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival featuring Roman Street, noon; Althea Rene & Jeanette Harris, 1:30pm; Down To The Bone, 3:05pm; Sister Sledge, 4:50pm; Boney James, 6:30pm; Brian Culbertson, 8:15pm, Aaron Bessant

Park Amphitheater, 500 W. Park Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida, www.seabreezejazzfestival.com, 850-267-3279 (sold-out)

25th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival

After-Party featuring Four80East, 10:30pm, Pompano Joe’s Seafood House, Pier Park, 16202 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, Florida, www.seabreezejazzfestival.com, 850-267-3279

DW3: A Tribute to the Legends of Music, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Tower of Power, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

29

Music Monday featuring Eric Marienthal & special guest Lee Ritenour, 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

RICK BRAUN

EVERETTE HARP

WILLIE BRADLEY

AVERY*SUNSHINE

ART SHERROD, JR.

ALTHEA RENE

LANGSTON HUGHES II

MAYSA

SPUR OF THE MOMENT

LET IT FLOW

LINDSEY WEBSTER

BRIAN SIMPSON

PHAZE II

RICHARD ELLIOTT

JEFF LORBER

ROB ZINN

GERALD VEASLEY

LIN ROUNTREE

JEANETTE HARRIS

JACOB WEBB & PHYLICIA RAE

GERALD ALBRIGHT

PAUL JACKSON, JR.

JOHNNY BRITT

KOFI BOAKYE

PHYLICIA RAE

SECRET SOCIETY

KEVIN JACKSON TONY RICHARDS

DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Peabo Bryson, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

3

Jazz on the Vine featuring Mindi Abair, 9:15pm, Osthoff Resort, 101 Osthoff Ave., Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, https://osthoff.com/jazz-on-the-vine

Peabo Bryson, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

4

Blake Aaron CD-Release Party/ Birthday Celebration, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Peabo Bryson, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

5

Cinco de Mayo Celebration featuring Billy Mondragon & The Latin Soul Legends, 6:30pm,

Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Peabo Bryson, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

9

DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Spyro Gyra-50th Anniversary Celebration!, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

10

Darryl Walker Sings Stevie Wonder’s Greatest Hits, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Spyro Gyra-50th Anniversary Celebration!, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

11

Payne Pest Management & Apaulo Productions present Live from La Costa featuring “Terry Steele Tribute to Luther Vandross” with His All-Star Band, 7:30pm, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, 2100 Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad, California, https://livefromlacosta.com/

2nd Annual Empire State Jazz Festival featuring Blake Aaron, 7pm, Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St., Houston, Texas, https://empirestatejazzfest.com/ Chris Standring, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Spyro Gyra-50th Anniversary Celebration!, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

12

Mother’s Day Evening Show featuring Jessy J, 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Spyro Gyra-50th Anniversary Celebration!, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

13

Music Monday featuring Poncho Sanchez, 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

14

7th Annual Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival Welcome Dinner, 6:30pm; evening concerts featuring Marc

Antoine & Rocco Ventrella, 8:45pm; Jesse Cook, 10:15pm, Salão Pinhal; After-Show Party, midnight, Aldar, Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal, www.algarve. smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@ smooth-entertainment.eu

Nicole Henry, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

15

7th Annual Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival featuring Adam Hawley, 8:45pm; Lin Rountree, 10:15pm, Salão Pinhal; After-Show Party, including Midnight Jam hosted by JJ Sansaverino, midnight, Aldar, Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal, www.algarve.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

David Sanborn, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500

Nicole Henry, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

16

7th Annual Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival, The Afternoon Chill: drinks, loungy DJ grooves & artist interviews, 3pm, Mirador; evening concerts featuring Nathan Mitchell, 8:45pm; Althea Rene, 10:15pm, continued on page 28

continued from page 27

Salão Pinhal; After-Show Party, including Midnight Jam hosted by JJ Sansaverino, midnight, Aldar, Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal, www.algarve.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Jonathan Butler, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

17

7th Annual Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival, The Afternoon Chill: drinks, loungy DJ grooves & artist interviews, 3pm, Mirador; evening concerts featuring Rebecca Jade, 8:45pm; Najee, 10:15pm, Salão Pinhal; After-Show Party, midnight, Aldar, Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal, www.algarve.

smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@ smooth-entertainment.eu

Jonathan Butler, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

18

7th Annual Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival, morning concerts featuring Jacob Webb & Phylicia Rae, 11am; Nelson Rangell & Jay Rowe, 12:30pm, Tabu Garden Lounge; The Afternoon Chill: drinks, loungy DJ grooves & artist interviews, 3pm, Mirador; evening concerts featuring Nicholas Cole, 8:45pm; Eric Darius, 10:15pm, Salão Pinhal; After-Show Party, midnight, Aldar, Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal, www.algarve.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

JJ Sansaverino, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

continued on page 31

Paul

“Mr. Ghostbusters”

BOOKER T JONES PETER WHITE MINDI ABAIR

RICHARD ELLIOT & RICK BRAUN

NAJEE

DAY PARTY CRUISE! DAY PARTY CRUISE! JAM SESSION JAM SESSION

AFTER PARTY AFTER PARTY

VEILED JULY 1ST! VEILED JULY 1ST!

TIMBO LEON TIMBO

JULIAN VAUGHN JULIAN VAUGHN LIN ROUNTREE LIN ROUNTREE NICHOLAS COLE NICHOLAS COLE

MARION MEADOWS MARION MEADOWS

LINDSEY WEBSTER LINDSEY WEBSTER

CON FUNK SHUN CON FUNK SHUN

WILL DOWNING WILL DOWNING richard elliot richard elliot

VICTOR WOOTEN & VICTOR WOOTEN & WOOTEN BROTHERS WOOTEN BROTHERS

JACKIEM JOYNER

JACKIEM JOYNER ADAM HAWLEY ADAM HAWLEY

JAZMIN GHENT JAZMIN GHENT LORI WILLIAMS LORI WILLIAMS

ALTHEA RENE ALTHEA RENE JJ SANSAVERINO JJ SANSAVERINO BRIAN PINNER BRIAN PINNER

HHOST OST NATHAN MITCHELL NATHAN MITCHELL BELA DONA BELA DONA

Photo: Rhonda Kilpatrick

continued from page 28

Jonathan Butler, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

19

7th Annual Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival, morning concerts featuring LEMEK, 11am; Chieli Minucci, 12:30pm, Tabu Garden Lounge; The Afternoon Chill: drinks, loungy DJ grooves & artist interviews, 3pm, Mirador; evening concerts featuring Peter White, 8:45pm; Grande All-Star Finale, 10:15pm, Salão Pinhal; Farewell After-Show Party, midnight, Aldar, Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal, www.algarve.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

Jonathan Butler, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

23

Blake Aaron & Dee Lucas, 8pm, PizzaExpress Live (Holborn), 99 High Holborn, London, England, www.pizzaexpresslive.com

Erin Stevenson, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

24

Reza Khan, 7pm, The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Pkwy., Alpharetta, Georgia, www.thevelvetnote.com, 855-583-5838

Blake Aaron, 8:15pm, Theater Posa, Kempenaar 01-10, 8242 BA, Lelystad, Netherlands, www.blakeaaron.com

25

Walter Beasley, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500

Blake Aaron, 4pm, Grandcafé Rue de la Gare, Stationsstraat 8, Emmen, Netherlands, www.blakeaaron.com

Patrick Lamb & His All-Star Band, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Uptown Music & Arts Festival featuring DW3, José Valentino & Charlton Singleton, Kayla Waters, Rob Zinn & Andrew Neu, Tim George, gates open at 2:30pm, music starts at 4pm, Curtis Hixon Riverfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., downtown Tampa, Florida, https://uptownmusicfestival.com

26

Blake Aaron, 6pm, Buckshot Café, Gedempte Zuiderdiep 58, 9711 HK, Groningen, Netherlands, www.blakeaaron.com

Reza Khan & Friends, 5:30pm, Crooners Supper Club, 6161 Hwy. 65 NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, www.croonersloungemn.com, 763-760-0062

Uptown Music & Arts Festival featuring Eric Darius, Alex Harris, Adam Hawley, Paula Atherton, Tim George, gates open at 2:30pm, music starts at 4pm, Curtis Hixon Riverfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., downtown Tampa, Florida, https:// uptownmusicfestival.com

28

Eric Marienthal & special guest David Benoit & His Big Band Album Release, 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

30

Brian Culbertson, 7:30pm, North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina, www.brianculbertson.com

DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

NOTE: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of the listings contained in this calendar, events may be postponed or canceled without notice. Artists, events, venues, dates and show times are all subject to change without notice. Smooth Jazz News is not responsible for any cancellations, changes or the accuracy of any concert, festival, cruise or brunch information contained in advertisements and/or editorial published in this magazine, which has been provided by outside sources. Please confirm all information with the organizer directly before making any plans

continued on page 32

continued from page 31

APRIL

7

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Sunday Jazz Brunch hosted by Michael Tozzi, featuring Jazz in Pink with Gail Jhonson, Paula Atherton, Brooke Alford, Keyanna Hutchinson & Tiffani Walker; brunch, 11am; show, noon, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

Spaghettini’s Legendary Brunch with performances in the lounge by DW3, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

14

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Sunday Jazz Brunch hosted by Michael Tozzi, featuring Brian

jazz bruNches

Bromberg & Friends with Everette Harp, Michael Paulo, Lin Rountree, Ray Fuller, Tony Moore, Tom Zink & The Berks Horns; brunch, 11am; show, noon, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksjazzfest.com

Spaghettini’s Legendary Brunch with performances in the lounge by DW3, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

21

Spaghettini’s Legendary Brunch with performances in the lounge by DW3, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

25

25th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival Jazzy Brunch Cruise featuring

Eric Darius, boards at 8:30am, sails at 9am, Cruise St. Andrews Bay aboard the Solaris entertainment yacht, Lighthouse Marina, 5325 N. Lagoon Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida, www.seabreezejazzfestival.com, 850-267-3279

28

Spaghettini’s Gospel Sunday Brunch with performances in the lounge by Terry Steele, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

MAY

5

Spaghettini’s Legendary Brunch with performances in the lounge by DW3, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

12

Spaghettini’s Legendary Mother’s Day Brunch with performances in the lounge by DW3, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

19

Spaghettini’s Legendary Brunch with performances in the lounge by DW3, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

26

Spaghettini’s Gospel Sunday Brunch with performances in the lounge by Terry Steele, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

JAZZ FESTIVAL GUIDE

Panama City Beach, Florida, where the Seabreeze Jazz Festival is held

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SMOOTH JAZZ EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD! ~2024 FESTIVALS~

April 5-14

33rd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest

Reading, Pennsylvania

Lineup: More than 130 free and ticketed musical events spanning the spectrum of jazz, blues, funk, soul, R&B and more. Visit www.berksjazzfest.com for complete lineup.

Venue: Various venues throughout Berks County, Pennsylvania

Getting there: Flights are available into the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), approximately 70 miles from Berks County.

Tickets and information: www.berksjazzfest.com

April 14-18 and April 21-25

Mindi Abair’s Wine and Jazz Adventures

Napa Valley, California (sold-out)

Lineup:

Monday, April 15: Ashling Cole, noon, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, St. Helena

Tuesday, April 16: Peter White, 6 p.m., Louis M. Martini Winery, St. Helena

Wednesday, April 17: Mindi Abair, 7 p.m., Blue Note Napa, Napa Valley

Monday, April 22: Ashling Cole, noon, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, St. Helena

Tuesday, April 23: Peter White, 6 p.m., Louis M. Martini Winery, St. Helena

Wednesday, April 24: Mindi Abair, 7 p.m., Blue Note Napa, Napa Valley

Venues: Various venues in Napa Valley, St. Helena, Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford, California

Getting there: Flights are available into the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa (STS), Oakland International Airport (OAK), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Distance to the hotel is approximately 50 miles from STS, 51 miles from OAK, 57 miles from SFO and 64 miles from SMF.

Staying there: Archer Hotel, 1230 1st St., Napa, California

Tickets and information: https://wineandjazz.com/adventures

April 24-28

25th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival

Panama City Beach, Florida

Please see page 12 for details and feature

April 27

5th Annual Dymally International Jazz & Arts Festival at California State University, Dominguez Hills

Carson, California

Lineup (gates open at noon, music from 1 to 9 p.m.):

Top international acts on two stages, including Angelique Kidjo, Stanley Clarke, Jonathan Butler, Third World, Judith Hill, Teodross Avery, and hosted by comedian Capone

Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park Tennis Stadium, 18400 Avalon Blvd., Carson, California

Getting there: Flights are available into the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), approximately 13 miles from the venue.

Tickets and information: www.csudh.edu/dymally-institute/ jazz-and-arts-festival, www.axs.com

continued on page 36

2023 Dymally International Jazz & Arts Festival at Dignity Health Sports Park Tennis Stadium in Carson, California

Photo: Malcolm Ali/Finaimage.com

Mindi Abair and her husband, Eric Guerra, at a vineyard in Bordeaux, France, during their 2023 Wine and Jazz Adventure

continued from page 35

May 14-19

7th Annual Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival Albufeira, Portugal

Lineup:

Tuesday, May 14: Welcome Dinner, 6:30 p.m.; concerts featuring Marc Antoine and Rocco Ventrella, 8:45 p.m.; Jesse Cook, 10:15 p.m., Salão Pinhal; After-Show Party, midnight, Aldar

Wednesday, May 15: Adam Hawley, 8:45 p.m.; Lin Rountree, 10:15 p.m., Salão Pinhal; After-Show Party, including Midnight Jam hosted by JJ Sansaverino, midnight, Aldar

Thursday, May 16: The Afternoon Chill: drinks, loungy DJ grooves and artist interviews, 3 p.m.; evening concerts featuring Nathan Mitchell, 8:45 p.m.; Althea Rene, 10:15 p.m., Salão Pinhal; After-Show Party, including Midnight Jam hosted by JJ Sansaverino, midnight, Aldar

Friday, May 17: The Afternoon Chill: drinks, loungy DJ grooves and artist interviews, 3 p.m.; evening concerts featuring Rebecca

Saturday, May 18: Morning concerts featuring Jacob Webb and Phylicia Rae, 11 a.m.; Nelson Rangell and Jay Rowe, 12:30 p.m., Tabu Garden Lounge; The Afternoon Chill: drinks, loungy DJ grooves and artist interviews, 3 p.m., Mirador; evening concerts featuring Nicholas Cole, 8:45 p.m.; Eric Darius, 10:15 p.m., Salão Pinhal; After-Show Party, midnight, Aldar

Sunday, May 19: Morning concerts featuring LEMEK, 11 a.m.; Chieli Minucci, 12:30 p.m., Tabu Garden Lounge; The Afternoon Chill: drinks, loungy DJ grooves and artist interviews, 3 p.m., Mirador; evening concerts featuring Peter White, 8:45 p.m.; Grande All-Star Finale, 10:15 p.m., Salão Pinhal; Farewell After-Show Party, midnight, Aldar

Venue: Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal

Getting there: Flights are available into the Faro Airport (FAO), approximately 28 miles from the venue.

Jade, 8:45 p.m.; Najee, 10:15 p.m., Salão Pinhal; After-Show Party, midnight, Aldar

Curtis Hixon Riverfront Park in Tampa, Florida, venue for the Uptown Music & Arts Festival

Pine Cliffs Resort in Algarve, Portugal, venue for the Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival

Tickets and information: www.algarve.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

May 25-26

Uptown Music & Arts Festival Tampa, Florida

Lineup (gates open at 2:30 p.m., music starts at 4 p.m.):

Saturday, May 25: DW3, José Valentino and Charlton Singleton, Kayla Waters, Rob Zinn and Andrew Neu, Tim George

Sunday, May 26: Eric Darius, Alex Harris, Adam Hawley, Paula Atherton, Tim George

Venue: Curtis Hixon Riverfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Downtown Tampa, Florida

Getting there: Flights are available into the Tampa International Airport (TPA), approximately 9 miles from the venue.

Tickets and information: https://uptownmusicfestival.com

June 5-9

Brian Culbertson’s 11th Annual Napa Valley Jazz Getaway Napa, California

Lineup:

Wednesday, June 5: Welcome Dinner & Jam Session hosted by Brian Culbertson, featuring Culbertson and special guests Eric Marienthal and Marcus Anderson, 7 p.m., Solera Courtyard, The Westin Verasa

Thursday, June 6: “Wine Down” featuring complimentary wine tasting and performances by Eric Marienthal and Ragan Whiteside, hosted by The World Famous Show, 1:30 p.m., The Westin Verasa (for VIP, Platinum and Gold patrons); Concert featuring Jazz Funk Soul with Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson Jr. and Everette Harp; Brian Culbertson & Friends featuring Paul Taylor and Lindsey Webster, doors open at 6 p.m. with DJs The World Famous Show, concerts start at 7 p.m., at Grand Reserve at The Meritage Resort

Friday, June 7: “Wine Down” featuring complimentary wine tasting and performances by Mr. Talkbox, 1:30 p.m., The Westin Verasa (for VIP, Platinum and Gold patrons); Concert featuring Adam Hawley, Julian Vaughn and Marcus Anderson; Morris Day & The Time, doors open at 6 p.m. with DJs The World Famous Show, concerts start at 7 p.m., at Grand Reserve at The Meritage Resort; After-Party at The Westin-Friday Night Funk Party, 11 p.m., The Westin Verasa (for VIP, Platinum and Gold patrons)

Saturday, June 8: “Wine Down” featuring complimentary wine tasting and performances by Jeff Kashiwa and Nicholas Cole, backed by DJs The World Famous Show, 1:30 p.m., The Westin Verasa (for VIP, Platinum and Gold patrons); Concert featuring RnR with Rick Braun and Richard Elliot; Culbertson & Friends with Twinkie Clark, Jeff Kashiwa and Mr. Talkbox, doors open

continued on page 38

Brian Culbertson is hosting his 11th Napa Valley Jazz Getaway in June

Photo: trevorcreative.com

Photo: Jeremy Fratkin

continued from page 37

at 6 p.m. with DJs Rick & Russ with CJ Flash, concerts start at 7 p.m., Grand Reserve at The Meritage Resort

Sunday, June 9: Sunday Brunch & Jam Session featuring Culbertson, Twinkie Clark, Marcus Anderson and Nicholas Cole, 11 a.m., The Westin Verasa (exclusive to VIP attendees, plus limited tickets will be available for purchase to Platinum and Gold patrons, while seats last)

Venues: Grand Reserve at The Meritage Resort on Blue Note Napa Stage, 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa, California; The Westin Verasa Napa, 1314 McKinstry St., Napa, California

Getting there: Flights are available into the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa (STS), Oakland International Airport (OAK), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Distance to The Westin is approximately 50 miles from STS, 51 miles from OAK, 57 miles from SFO and 64 miles from SMF.

Tickets and information: www.jazzgetaway.com

June 14-15

2nd Annual Clearwater Smooth Jazz Jam

Clearwater, Florida

Lineup:

Friday, June 14: Jeffrey Osborne, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Peter White, doors open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 15: Brian Culbertson, Sheila E. and the E-Train, Gerald Albright, doors open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m.

Venue: Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, Florida

Getting there: Flights are available into the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Tampa International Airport (TPA). Distance to the venue is approximately 6 miles from PIE and 14 miles from TPA.

Tickets and information: www.rutheckerdhall.com/events/ detail/clearwater-smooth-jazz-jam-1, 727-791-7400, 800-875-8682

June 22-23

6th Annual San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival

San Diego, California

Lineup: Hosted by Eric Darius, and featuring Gregory Porter, Boney James, Spyro Gyra, Pieces of a Dream, Blake Aaron and Will Donato and more to be announced

Venue: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, Embarcadero Marina Park South, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego, California

Getting there: Flights are available into the San Diego International Airport (SAN), approximately 4 miles from the venue. Tickets and information: http://sandiegosmoothjazzfestival.com, 562-424-0013

July 13

19th Annual Temecula Wine & Music Festival

Murrieta, California

Lineup: Michael Paulo & Friends and more to be announced, doors open at 3 p.m., music starts at 4 p.m., festival ends at 9 p.m.

The San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival, and Boney James, return to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

Venue : Monteleone Meadows, 35245 Briggs Road, Murrieta, California

Getting there: Flights are available into the Ontario International Airport (ONT) and San Diego International Airport (SAN). Distance to the venue is approximately 50 miles from ONT and 70 miles from SAN.

July 17-21

14th Annual Lake Arbor Jazz Festival Mitchellville, Maryland

Wednesday, July 17: Celebrity Golf Outing, registration, 8 a.m.; shotgun start, 9 a.m.; Festival Kickoff Party hosted by Jeff Bradshaw, featuring Secret Society, 6 p.m., The Country Club at Woodmore

Thursday, July 18: Pre-Festival Concert featuring Avery*Sunshine; 3 Alarm Fire with Art Sherrod Jr., Brian Simpson, Lin Rountree; Langston Hughes II, doors open at 6 p.m., concert starts at 7 p.m., MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino, Grand Ballroom

Friday, July 19: Meet & Greet Breakfast with invited artists, 10 a.m., Wellspring Manor & Spa; Summer White Affair & Dinner Show, hosted by Tony Richards, featuring Gerald Albright, Spur of the Moment, Kofi Boakye, doors open at 6 p.m., dinner served at 7 p.m., performances start at 8 p.m., MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino

Saturday, July 20: (gates open at noon, performances start at 1 p.m.): Hosted by Tony Richards, featuring RnR with Rick Braun and Richard Elliot; Jazz Funk Soul with Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson Jr. and Everette Harp; Queens of Soul Jazz with Althea Rene and Jeanette Harris; Brass Attack with Willie Bradley, Rob Zinn and Johnny Britt; Let It Flow Band, Lake Arbor Community Center

Sunday, July 21: Sunday Jazz Brunch, hosted by Tony Richards, featuring Maysa and Lindsey Webster, doors open at 11 a.m., brunch served at 11:30 a.m., performances start at 1 p.m.; All-Star Finale Jam hosted by Gerald Veasley, featuring Althea Rene; Brass Attack with Willie Bradley, Rob Zinn and Johnny Britt; Brian Lenair; 3 Alarm Fire with Brian Simpson, Lin Rountree and Art Sherrod Jr.; and more TBA, doors open at 7 p.m., concert starts at 7:30 p.m., MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino, Grand Ballroom

Venues: The Country Club at Woodmore, 12320 Pleasant Prospect, Mitchellville; Wellspring Manor & Spa, 11311 Drumsheugh Lane, Upper Marlboro; MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino, 101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill; Lake Arbor Community Center, 10100 Lake Arbor Way, Mitchellville

Getting there: Flights are available into the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), approximately 7 miles from the venue.

Tickets and information: www.lakearborjazz.com

July 25-27

Marcus Anderson’s Jazz AND Coffee Escape

Durham, North Carolina

Lineup:

Thursday, July 25: 1st Annual MAJACE Golf Tournament hosted by Elan Trotman, 9 a.m. tee time; evening concert featuring Trotman

Friday, July 26: Regina Belle, Karen Briggs, Darren Rahn and Nathan Mitchell, 6 p.m.

Saturday, July 27: Marcus Anderson, Eric Darius, LEMEK and Quintin Gerard W., and Paula Atherton, 6 p.m.

Venue: North Carolina Central University, Student Center and Event Hall, 500 Nelson St., Durham, North Carolina

Getting there: Flights are available into the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), approximately 15 miles from the venue.

Tickets and information: www.MAJACE.net

continued on page 40

Michael Paulo (right) presents his 19th Annual Temecula Wine & Music Festival at Monteleone Meadows in Murrieta, California

Photo: Danny Naritoku

continued from page 39

Aug. 2-3

Louisville Jazz Festival

Louisville, Kentucky

Lineup:

Friday, Aug. 2: Brian Culbertson, Avery*Sunshine, Gerey Johnson, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 3: Boney James, Jeter Jones, Volton Wright, Tasha Mac, Rebecca Jade, 6 p.m.

Venue: Iroquois Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Road, Louisville, Kentucky

Getting there: Flights are available into the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), approximately 4 miles from the venue.

Tickets and information: https://iroquoisamphitheater.com/, https://gabproinc.wixsite.com/ gab-shows, 502-368-5865 502-368-5865

Aug. 9-11

35th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival

Long Beach, California

Lineup: October London, Gerald Albright tribute to James Brown, Kirk Whalum, The Braxton Brothers and many more

Venue: Rainbow Lagoon Park, E. Shoreline Dr. at Linden Ave., Long Beach, California

Getting there: Flights are available into the Long Beach Airport (LGB), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA). Distance to the venue is approximately 6 miles from LGB, 22 miles from LAX and 23 miles from SNA.

Tickets and information: www.longbeachjazzfestival.com, 562-424-0013

Sept. 7-8

17th Annual Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Lineup:

Saturday, Sept. 7: Jacob Webb and Phylicia Rae, 3:30 p.m.; Urban Guerilla Orchestra (UGO): A Tribute to the Sounds of Philadelphia, 5 p.m.; Nathan Mitchell, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 8: FAME Jazz Ensemble, 3:30 p.m.; Four80East featuring JJ Sansaverino and Art Sherrod Jr., 5 p.m.; Vincent Ingala, 6:30 p.m.

Venue: Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Getting there: Flights are available into the Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), approximately 17 miles from the venue.

Tickets and information: www.dauphincounty.gov/parks, 717-599-5188

Sept. 12-15

Brian Culbertson’s 6th Annual Chicago Jazz Getaway

Chicago, Illinois

Lineup:

Thursday, Sept. 12: Champagne reception and solo piano performance, 3:30 p.m., The Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park (VIP patrons only); Welcome Dinner & Jam Session hosted by Marcus Anderson, featuring Brian Culbertson, Patches Stewart and the BC Band, 6 p.m., Buddy Guy’s Legends (VIP and Platinum patrons only)

Friday, Sept. 13: VIP event TBA, 1 p.m.; Najee; Brian Culbertson & Friends concert with Peabo Bryson, 7 p.m., The Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, International Ballroom (VIP, Platinum, Gold and Single Friday patrons only); After-Party hosted by The World Famous Rick & Russ featuring CJ Flash (VIP, Platinum and Gold patrons only), 10 p.m., The Fairmount Chicago, Millennium Park, International Ballroom

Saturday, Sept. 14: Concert featuring Marcus Anderson, and craft beer tasting, 1 p.m., Goose Island Brewing Co. (VIP and Platinum patrons only); Exclusive Hang Club Meet & Greet, 4:30 p.m., The Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park; Brian Culbertson & Friends Concert featuring Avery*Sunshine and Eric Darius, 7 p.m., The Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, International Ballroom (VIP, Platinum, Gold and Single Saturday patrons only);

The Long Beach Jazz Festival celebrates its 35th anniversary at Rainbow Lagoon Park this year

Photo: Ellis Moore Photography

Artist Autograph Session, Late-Night Hang, 10:30 p.m., The Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, International Ballroom Lobby (VIP, Platinum and Gold patrons only)

Sunday, Sept. 15: Recording Session, watch Culbertson and his band record a song from scratch, lunch included, 1 p.m., The Jam Lab (VIP patrons only)

Venues: The Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 N. Columbus Dr.; Buddy Guy’s Legends, 700 S. Wabash; the Art Institute Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.; The Jam Lab, 9234 W. 47th St., Brookfield, Illinois

Getting there: Flights are available into the Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), approximately 18 miles from The Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park.

Tickets and information: www.chicagojazzgetaway.com

Oct. 10-13 and Oct. 17-20

37th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival

Avalon, California

Lineup:

Thursday, Oct. 10: opening act TBA, 6 p.m.; Peter White, 7:30 p.m., Unplugged Under the Stars at Descanso Beach

Friday, Oct. 11: artist TBA, 7 p.m.; Marcus Anderson, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 12: artist TBA, noon; Jazz Funk Soul with Paul Jackson Jr., Everette Harp and Jeff Lorber, 2 p.m.; artist

TBA, 7 p.m.; RnR with Rick Braun and Richard Elliot, 9 p.m.; after-party featuring DJ Lexicon at Descanso Beach, 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 13: artist TBA, noon; Lindsey Webster and Jackiem Joyner, 2 p.m.; Slim Gambill, 7 p.m.; The Spinners, 9 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 17: opening act TBA, 6 p.m.; Ray Parker Jr., 7:30 p.m., Unplugged Under the Stars at Descanso Beach

Friday, Oct. 18: Josh Vietti, 7 p.m.; Booker T. Jones, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 19: Roberto Restuccia, noon; artist TBA, 2 p.m.; artist TBA, 7 p.m.; Candy Dulfer, 9 p.m.; after-party featuring DJ Lexicon at Descanso Beach, 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 20: artist TBA, noon; Najee, 2 p.m.; The Myron McKinley Trio (music director of Earth, Wind & Fire), 7 p.m.; Peter White, Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala, 9 p.m.

Venues: Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California; and Descanso Beach for Thursday Night Unplugged Getting there: Catalina Express offers the most convenient choices of round-trip, cross-channel transportation from its terminals in Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, California, to Avalon. Visit www.CatalinaExpress.com or call 800-995-4386.

If flying into the Los Angeles-Orange County areas, flights are available into the Long Beach Airport (LGB), John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Distance to the Long Beach terminal is approximately 11 miles from LGB, 22 miles from LAX and 29 miles from SNA.

Staying there: Visit the JazzTrax official hotels page at www.jazztrax.com/hotels

Tickets and information: www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849

Oct. 27-Nov. 1 and Nov. 3-8

Mindi Abair’s Wine and Jazz Adventures

Tuscany, Italy (sold-out)

Lineup: Mindi Abair and Friends

Venues: Various venues in Siena, Chianti, Montepulciano and Montalcino, Italy

Getting there: Flights are available into the Rome-Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) and Amerigo Vespucci Airport continued on page 42

Descanso Beach in Avalon, California, site of the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival

Thursday Unplugged concerts and Saturday night after-parties. The Catalina Casino, where the main-stage performances happen, is in the distance.

Photo: Pat Benter

continued from page 41

and Peretola Florence Airport (FLR). Distance to the venue is approximately 162 miles from FCO and 55 miles from FLR. Tickets and information: https://wineandjazz.com/adventures

Oct. 31-Nov. 3

The Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend hosted by Eric Darius—10th Anniversary

Daytona Beach, Florida

Lineup:

Thursday, Oct. 31: Bob James, 7 p.m.; Jonathan Butler and Marcus Miller, 8:30 p.m.; Jeffrey Osborne; and Thursday Night Jam, 10:15 p.m.; Artist Meet & Greet, 11:45 p.m., Coquina Ballroom

Friday, Nov. 1: Optional Golf Outing, 8:30 a.m., at LPGA International, 1000 Champions Dr., Daytona Beach, Florida Breakfast buffet, 8:30 a.m.; dinner buffet, 5 p.m.; Concerts featuring Marion Meadows, Brian Simpson and Althea Rene, 7 p.m.; Peter White and Vincent Ingala, 8:30 p.m.; Eric Darius with special guest Rebecca Jade; and Friday Night Jam, 10:15 p.m.; Artist Meet & Greet, 11:45 p.m., Coquina Ballroom

Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort in Daytona Beach, Florida, venue for The Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend

Saturday, Nov. 2: Breakfast buffet, 8:30 a.m.; Afternoon concerts featuring RnR with Rick Braun and Richard Elliot, noon; dinner buffet, 5 p.m.; Concerts featuring Candy Dulfer, 7:30 p.m.; Brian Culbertson; and Grand Finale Jam, 9:30 p.m.; Artist Meet & Greet, 11:30 p.m., Coquina Ballroom

Sunday, Nov. 3: Sunday brunch, 8:30 a.m.; Artist Q&A panel with Eric Darius, Brian Culbertson, Candy Dulfer, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Peter White, Vincent Ingala, Rebecca Jade, Marion Meadows, Brian Simpson and Althea Rene, 10:30 a.m., Coquina Ballroom

Venue: Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 100 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Florida

Getting there: Flights are available into the Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB), approximately 6 miles from the venue.

Packages and information : www.FloridaSmoothJazz.com, 386-681-7007

Nov. 6-10

Jazz Legacy Foundation

12th Annual Gala Weekend

Hampton, Virginia

Lineup:

Wednesday, Nov. 6: Official Pre-Party featuring JJ Sansaverino and Althea Rene, 7 p.m., Roger Brown’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, Portsmouth, Virginia

Thursday, Nov. 7: Acoustic Alchemy; The Original Lakeside; Paul Taylor, Adam Hawley and Jackiem Joyner; Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers; Nathan Mitchell, 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 8: The Fellas featuring Marcus Anderson, Nathan Mitchell, Julian Vaughn, Nicholas Cole and Lin Rountree; Will Downing and Avery*Sunshine; Con Funk Shun; Damien Escobar, 6 p.m.; Late-Night Jam Session hosted by Nathan Mitchell, 11 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 9: Smooth Jazz Lunch Cruise & Day Party featuring Forte Jazz Band, 11 a.m., aboard the Spirit of Mount Vernon, board at Otter Berth, Norfolk; Patrice Rushen, Walter Beasley, Richard Elliot, 6 p.m.; After-Party featuring Bela Dona, 11 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 10: Lindsey Webster; Marion Meadows, Lori Williams and Jazmin Ghent; Leon Timbo; Brian Culbertson, 3 p.m.

Venues: Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Dr., Hampton; Roger Brown’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, 316 High St., Portsmouth

Getting there: Flights are available into the Newport News-

International Airport (SAN), approximately 13 miles from the venue.

Tickets and information: www.mindiabair.com/new-years-eve

Dec. 30-31

Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) and Norfolk International Airport (ORF). Distance to the main venue is approximately 10 miles from PHF and 18 miles from ORF. Tickets and information: https://jazzlegacyfoundation.org, 757-737-2416

Dec. 29-31

Mindi Abair’s Wine and Jazz New Year’s Eve 2024

San Diego, California

Lineup:

Sunday, Dec. 29: Intimate Wine & Dining Experience with an Unplugged performance by Mindi Abair, 6 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 30: Food + Wine Pairing Bayfront Reception and performance featuring Ariana Savalas, 3 p.m.; The Premiere Party featuring Vincent Ingala and Rebecca Jade, hosted by Mindi Abair, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 31: Storytellers Artist Interviews & Unplugged performance, hosted by Pat Prescott, 1:30 p.m.; WINEandJAZZ. com Portfolio Wine Tasting & Music Pairing, hosted by Mindi Abair and Eric Guerra, 3 p.m.; Red Carpet Artist Meet & Greet, 6:30 p.m.; New Year’s Eve Grand Celebration, Dinner and Midnight Toast featuring Abair, Vincent Ingala, Rebecca Jade, DW3, Ellis Hall and more

Venue: Loews Coronado Bay Resort, 4000 Coronado Bay Road, Coronado, California

Getting there: Flights are available into the San Diego

Rick Braun’s New Year’s Eve Getaway

Orlando, Florida

Lineup:

Monday, Dec. 30: Optional Monday morning golf tournament sponsored by Andy and Peggy Greenawalt, 8 a.m.; concerts featuring Marcus Anderson, Julian Vaughn and Nathan Mitchell, 8 p.m.; Gerald Albright, 9:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 31: Dinner is served, 7 p.m.; live auction begins, 8:30 p.m.; concerts featuring Lindsey Webster, 9 p.m.; Rick Braun, Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot and Peter White, joined by Webster, Marcus Anderson, Julian Vaughn and Nathan Mitchell, 10:30 p.m.

Venue: Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, Florida

Getting there: Flights are available into the Orlando International Airport (MCO), approximately 12 miles from the venue.

Tickets and information: www.floridasmoothjazz.com, 386-681-7007

continued on page 44

Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida, venue for Rick Braun’s New Year’s Eve Getaway

Rick Braun

Photo: Raj Naik

Mindi Abair

Photo: Kristie Schram

Mindi Abair is hosting her Wine and Jazz New Year’s Eve in San Diego, California

continued from page 43

March 13-16, 2025

~2025 FESTIVALS~

Brian Culbertson’s 2nd Annual New Orleans Jazz Getaway

New Orleans, Louisiana

Lineup: Brian Culbertson, Peter White, Mindi Abair, plus The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Venues: JW Marriott New Orleans, 614 Canal St.; The Civic Theatre, 510 O’Keefe Ave.; Preservation Hall, 726 St. Peter St., New Orleans, Louisiana

Getting there: Flights are available into the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), approximately 16 miles from the hotel venue.

Packages and information: www.neworleansjazzgetaway.com

March 27-30, 2025

Daytona Jazz Weekend at One Daytona

hosted by Mindi Abair

Daytona Beach, Florida

Lineup:

Thursday, March 27: Randy Jacobs, Paul Taylor & Adam Hawley, and Mindi Abair, 7 p.m.; Artist Meet & Greet, 11:30 p.m.

Friday, March 28: Breakfast, 6:30 a.m.; Optional Golf Outing, 8:30 a.m., at LPGA International; Buffet Dinner, 5 p.m.; Keiko Matsui, Gerald Albright, 7 p.m.; Artist Meet & Greet, 11 p.m.

Saturday, March 29: Breakfast, 7 a.m.; Mindi Abair and

Peter White, noon, “on the porch” at Daytona International Speedway; Optional Mindi Abair Wine Tasting, 4 p.m.; Buffet Dinner, 5 p.m.; Brian Simpson and Jessy J; Rick Braun, Peter White and Vincent Ingala, 7 p.m.; Artist Meet & Greet, 11 p.m.

Sunday, March 30: Sunday Brunch, 8 a.m.; Artist Q&A Panel, 10:30 a.m.

Venue: One Daytona, 1 Daytona Blvd., Daytona Beach, Florida Getting there: Flights are available into the Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB), approximately 2 miles from the venue. Packages and information: www.FloridaSmoothJazz.com, 386-681-7007

April 23-27, 2025

26th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival

Panama City Beach, Florida

Lineup: To be announced

Venues: Main festival grounds: Aaron Bessant Park

Amphitheater, 500 W. Park Dr.; Dining Cruises: Aboard the Solaris entertainment yacht, boards at the Lighthouse Marina, 5325 N. Lagoon Dr.

After-Parties: Pompano Joe’s Seafood House, Pier Park, 16202 Front Beach Road

Getting there: Flights are available into the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) in Panama City Beach and Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The venue is approximately 10 miles from ECP and 55 miles from VPS.

Staying there: Visit www.seabreezejazzfestival.com/stay.html for available hotel rooms, condominiums and beach rentals, along with nightly rates and locations.

Tickets and information: www.seabreezejazzfestival.com or call 850-267-3279

May 25-30, June 1-6 and June 22-27, 2025

Mindi Abair’s Wine and Jazz Adventures Piedmont, Italy (a few spots remaining)

Lineup: Mindi Abair and Friends

Venues: Various venues in Barolo, Barbaresco and Lago Maggiore, Italy

Getting there: Flights are available into the Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) and Milan Linate Airport (LIN).

Tickets and information: https://wineandjazz.com/adventures

Photo: Robert Hubbard

Brian Culbertson with guests at his 1st Annual New Orleans Jazz Getaway

JAZZCruise Guide

June 7-14 and June 14-21, 2025

Dave Koz & Friends at Sea: Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands

Two, seven day, full-ship charters

Lineup: To be announced

Embarkation: Voyage One, Rotterdam to Reykjavík, departs from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on June 7; Voyage Two, Reykjavík to Rotterdam, departs from Reykjavík, Iceland, on June 14

Ship: Holland America’s ms Rotterdam

Ports of call: Leirvik and Måløy, Norway; Húsavík, Isafjördur and Reykjavík, Iceland

Getting there: Flights are available into the Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) for Voyage One; and the Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV) for Voyage Two. Distance to the cruise ship terminal is approximately 4 miles from RTM and 31 miles from RKV.

Booking and information: www.davekozcruise.com, 888-471-3313

The first Amsterdam Smooth Jazz Festival: River Cruise Edition will sail the waterways of Holland and Belgium aboard the Amadeus Brilliant in 2025

Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 2025

Amsterdam Smooth Jazz Festival: River Cruise Edition

Cruising along the waterways of Holland and Belgium

Lineup: Hosted by Eric Darius, starring Kirk Whalum, Keiko Matsui, Peter White and more artists to be announced

Embarkation: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Ship: Amadeus Brilliant

Ports of call: Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Ghent and Antwerp, Belgium, and more

Getting there: Flights are available into the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), approximately 15 miles from the cruise terminal.

Booking and information: www.amsterdam.smoothjazzfestival.de

Måløy, Norway, one of the ports of call on the 2025 Dave Koz & Friends at Sea cruise

Dave Koz

Photo: Colin Peck

APRIL/MAY 2024

CASHMIRA’S STARGUIDE

Aries March 21 - April 19

You have dreams of traveling, and now is the time to get serious about it. Half the fun of travel can be the planning, so maybe get the assistance of a friend while breaking out the maps and searching the internet for special sites. Enjoy the preparation and the trip.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Don’t underestimate yourself. You are just as financially savvy as those you have been working with. Step up and be heard when investment opinions are being aired. You have something to offer, and attention should be given to your ideas.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

You have a close friend, and you are both being presented with some financial opportunities. This calls for serious discussions of expectations and agreements regarding any possible issues that may arise, including profits.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

You have no problem at all with hard work, but lately things don’t seem equitable to you at the old workplace. Think it over carefully, and if the situation persists, consider the best way to express your feelings about the problem. Fair is fair.

Leo July 23 - Aug. 22

There are some issues pending at work for you, and now would be a very good time to listen to the advice of a co-worker on how to proceed. You know your stuff, that’s for certain, but it doesn’t hurt to hear from another with a different point of view.

Virgo Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

You’ve been super busy lately, but it would be a good idea to take a step back, and pay attention to your family. You always have their support, but they need some of your attention.

Make sure to schedule that into your crowded calendar.

Libra Sept. 23 - Oct. 22

Generally, your family supports your financial investments. But now, you might just decide on something unusual. In order to keep the peace, it would be a good idea to gather your reasons, and make sure they are complete.

Scorpio Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

There is something big coming up. You have been preparing for some changes, and they will all be here soon. All your hard work will definitely pay off when this trip finally gets real. You have done all the work, just focus on having a fabulous experience.

Sagittarius Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

Work has been so taxing lately, but you are persevering. This job means so much to you, but the responsibilities have been heavy. Try to take care of yourself while keeping things at work on track.

Capricorn Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

Someone in your family has some pretty irrational fears. You know this, but your job is to try to be supportive and to calm down any situations that get out of hand. Seek additional help from a professional if the situation escalates.

Aquarius Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

You’ve been trying to do your best. It may not always seem that way to others, but stay confident in your abilities, and soon everyone will know the truth about your capabilities. Sometimes it is just hard to stay positive.

Pisces Feb. 19 - March 20

You have witnessed some unusual occurrences, and you need to notify the appropriate folks. Trust your own judgment. The authorities will be glad you did and that you were able to share your thoughts.

BOOK REVIEW

“My Name Is Barbra”

By Barbra Streisand Viking

2023• 989 pages•$47

Reviewed by Darcy Peters

Honestly, what can you say? This is Barbra Streisand! Her fans are everywhere, and her legend is truly established. She has written nearly 1,000 pages of her autobiography, and there is still probably more to tell. The multitalented star who has won accolades for singing, acting and directing has a lot to talk about. In fact, the way this book is written makes you feel as if you are just chatting with a friend. It’s also crammed with pictures, which Streisand captions herself in that same chatty style.

Streisand writes that she has a bad memory, and she had to rely on her journals. She still managed to describe a childhood rich in memories of being a fatherless child. As a young girl, who was convinced she was unattractive, she wanted to be a dramatic actress. During her teen years, she searched for classes and any type of training.

“You can see why I rubbed some people the wrong way. I didn’t play the game. I’m not sure I even knew there was a game. I didn’t know how to be charming. If I did, I wouldn’t have told the truth. I would have made something up. I didn’t realize I was hanging myself,” she writes.

Streisand covers her meteoric rise to fame. Her early albums and countless club dates led to her first Broadway-starring show. “‘Funny Girl’ changed my life … and introduced me to the world. I was playing a young woman who was awkward and unattractive at the beginning of her career. That’s the character, so that’s what I conveyed onstage. And evidently it was such a successful portrayal that people confused the character with me.” She had a disastrous flirtation with her co-star Sydney Chaplin, faced a barrage of interviews, and began recording a third album—all at the age of 21.

After her Broadway success, Streisand moved on to films and became a popular star. She provides background for several movies. One of her most favorite films was “The Way We Were.” She was anxious to get Robert Redford to play the part of Hubbell, but it was a bit of a tough sell.

“Like the great movie stars, Bob understands the power of restraint. You’re never going to get it all … and that’s the mystery … that’s what makes you want to keep looking at him.” Streisand goes on to discuss working on this movie and the song in depth.

In the chapter about the movie “A Star Is Born,” she discusses how she wrote her Oscar-winning song, “Evergreen.”

“I was hearing a melody in my head and then I had to find the chords that went with it on the guitar. To say I was unaccomplished would be an understatement.”

She writes about her musical collaborations, which included her son’s favorites, Donna Summer and Barry Gibb. Her obsession with the movie “Yentl” led her to continue directing other movies. She continues to discuss her later albums, her work in politics, and her final marriage. To say she has had a full life is an understatement. Do yourself a favor, and sit down to enjoy it with her by reading this massive book.