October-November-December 2023

12. – 19. November 2024 | River Cruise Edition

PARIS SMOOTH JAZZ FESTIVAL

Publisher and Managing Editor

Melanie Maxwell

Operations & Distribution Manager

Craig Collier

Contributors

Cashmira

Marcia Luttrell

Darcy Peters

Copy Editors

JoAnn Armke

Barbara Knox

Brad Sondak

Graphic Design

Stephani Rosenstein

Contributing Photographers

Cover photos: Mindi Abair by Kristie Schram

Catalina Island by Tucker Tashjian

Greg Allen

Pat Benter

Dan Boissy

Describe The Fauna Antonio Dixon Erin Blair Studio FilmMaker Pro Video

Cooper Hardwick

David Hopley

Rhonda Kilpatrick

Sandrine Lee

Melisa Miranda

Raj Naik

Kristie Schram

Photos: David Hopley

SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

BRUNCH PARTY & JAM SESSION

When I was struggling with the decision to transition out of my lucrative, top-producing mortgage banker job to start this magazine (and a likely lifestyle downsize), I was inspired by a decorative tile I spotted while browsing through an artistic home accessories catalog. The colorful inscription read, “Have Faith • Moons Change • Tides Change • Things Change.” I wondered if that was an omen.

I knew it would take more than faith and the spark of an inspirational knickknack to motivate me to veer off my stable, financially secure path and head toward an uncertain, life-changing future. However, my decision to launch Smooth Jazz News 24 years ago turned out to be the right one, even though the tides have definitely drifted in a variety of unexpected directions, and each new moon brought its own challenges. Paper and supply-chain shortages, crazy increases in production costs, our local printer (the last web press in San Diego County) suddenly closing its well-established business and leaving us and its entire clientele scrambling for a web press in other counties (and at much higher rates) that had available press times, COVID-19, not to mention the chaos Mercury Retrograde causes (some people will understand this)!

But you know what hasn’t changed? The enthusiasm of the fans and their continued support of the artists, events and, thankfully, Smooth Jazz News.

I want to thank all of our readers, everyone who advertised with us this year, and our staff, designers, writers, editors and other professionals who help create and distribute this publication, plus the volunteers who circulate this magazine in their communities.

To express our gratitude, before the pandemic, we would host an annual Brunch Party & Jam Session to celebrate each anniversary. However, we had to pause those festivities after our last one in 2020, two months before the global shutdown. But guess what? We’re resuming the revelry on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, California! DW3, the ultimate party band, is scheduled to perform in the newly expanded and remodeled lounge. And, we expect to see some surprise guest artists sit in with them for a tune or two.

Tickets are on sale now, but this event always sells out, so reserve your seats early. We hope to see you there! Cheers to year 24, and I have faith we’ll be celebrating many more!

The Smooth Jazz News Anniversary Brunch Party & Jam Session is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Spaghettini

Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California. For reservations and information, visit www.spaghettini.com or call 562-596-2199.

Photo: Erin Blair Studio

SPRING BREAK FOR JAZZ LOVERS!

33RD ANNUAL

MARCUS MILLER & JONATHAN BUTLER

BRIAN CULBERTSON: THE TRILOGY TOUR

RICK BRAUN & FRIENDS

NAJEE & FRIENDS featuring ALEX BUGNON, ALYSON WILLIAMS & TOM BROWNE

CHRIS “BIG DOG” DAVIS presents CELEBRATING WOMEN IN JAZZ III featuring MELBA MOORE, NICOLE HENRY, MAYSA, ALTHEA RENE, JEANNETTE HARRIS and more

GREG ADAMS & EAST BAY SOUL

JAZZ IN PINK: GAIL JHONSON, PAULA ATHERTON, BROOKE ALFORD, PHILICIA RAE, KEYANNA

HUTCHINSON, TIFFANI WALKER

BRIAN BROMBERG & FRIENDS featuring EVERETTE HARP, MICHAEL PAOLO, LIN ROUNTREE, RAY FULLER and more

GERALD VEASLEY UNSCRIPTED: JAMMIN’ FOR NICO

ERIC DARIUS & REBECCA JADE

KEIKO MATSUI with READING POPS ORCHESTRA

RHYTHM & GROOVE TOUR: BRIAN SIMPSON, MARION MEADOWS, STEVE OLIVER ... plus many more!

presented by

Melba Moore

Rick Braun

Marcus Miller

36th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival

How Catalina became ‘smooth jazz island’

By Melanie Maxwell

When KiFM decided to launch a Catalina-weekend giveaway ... they sent Art Good sailing on the next ferry to Avalon to scout for a hotel partner.

Art Good is as iconic to smooth jazz as the Catalina Casino is to the Southern California island on which it’s perched.

A pioneer of the once-popular radio format, Good complemented his broadcasting career by creating a variety of live musical events during his tenure at San Diego’s KiFM Smooth Jazz 98.1 in the ’80s and ’90s. He hosted myriad weekly “Lites Out” concerts at Humphreys, the Catamaran Resort Hotel and the Mission Bay Hilton’s Cargo Bar, to name a few. When KiFM decided to launch a Catalina-weekend giveaway via an everyday radio promotion in the fall of 1981, they sent Good sailing on the next ferry to Avalon to scout for a hotel partner. He fell in love with the island. So much so, that a few years later, celebrating his January birthday there with 40 of his best friends became an annual tradition.

However, it wasn’t until his birthday getaway in 1987, when he turned 33, that he first trekked up the Casino’s ramps to the top floor and stepped into the renowned Ballroom. Decades earlier, visitors traveled by steamship to jitterbug and Charleston their hearts out on the venue’s huge parquet floor to the sounds of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Harry James, Kay Kyser and other vaunted musicians of the day. That spirit of the big-band era and its rich history, when CBS radio broadcast live music from 1934 into the 1950s, felt palpable to Good.

Catalina Casino and Avalon Bay

He was awed at the sight of the elegant, circular Ballroom adorned with a lavish medley of rose-hued walls, gold and silver leaf accents and art deco reliefs. Not only was the space gorgeous, but it was also grand, with an arching 50-foot ceiling studded with five Tiffanyesque chandeliers, and French doors connecting it to the veranda (aka “Romance Promenade”) that encircled the 11-story-high building overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Avalon Bay. He knew instantly that it was a magical showcase for the country’s then-mostpopular music. Thirty-six years later, it still is.

Many genre stars have debuted on that Ballroom stage since the inaugural Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival in October 1987, playing to capacity crowds of 1,350 patrons. Such once-unknown talents have included Chris Botti, Brian Culbertson, Paul Taylor, Mindi Abair, The Rippingtons, David Benoit, Acoustic Alchemy, Jesse Cook and more.

Several years after launching the Festival, Good added Thursday night “Unplugged Under the Stars,” at Descanso Beach, a short walk along the shoreline from the Casino, to each JazzTrax Festival weekend. The enhancement offered an additional venue to give up-and-coming acts a shot at getting booked as openers. It also provided assigned cabana and chaise lounge seating in the sand for

Oct.

471 jazz fans, a full no-host bar, food service and a unique beach concert experience.

Good is happy to offer tips on how to make the most of the “Unplugged” outing. “The beach bar opens now for food and drink at 5 p.m., so festivalgoers can spend the entire evening at Descanso Beach,” he said during a phone interview from his Palm Springs, California, studio. “Plan to have dinner there, then you are right there when the shows start. Plus, you’re there in time to see daylight over the ocean behind the stage from 5 to 7 p.m. before darkness sets in, and watch the firepits get lit.”

As much music as he’s heard, and as many festivals as he’s produced and performances he’s watched for more than four decades, Good is still passionate about bringing a great lineup to his patrons each year. He’s as methodical and passionate about booking great acts as he once was about selecting songs to play on his radio shows. And, he’s often thrilled with some of those choices.

Who is he most excited about seeing perform this year? “Probably Sérgio Mendes most of all, as I’ve spent years trying to get him,” Good said. “He certainly isn’t pure smooth jazz, but his show is so good and so represents everything from the ’60s to these 2000s,

continued on page 12

Avalon, California

12-15 and 19-22, 2023

Catalina Casino Ballroom

Photos: Pat Benter

continued from page 11

Brasil ’66 to his ’80s pop hits to his recent work with artists like Ledisi. Can’t wait for this one.

“But you know how much I love my variations. Two tributes this year. One to Al Jarreau with Chris Walker and Regina Belle on our stage for the first time. Can’t wait to hear her and Chris Walker sing ‘A Whole New World’ from the Disney movie ‘Aladdin.’ And, Slim Man is bringing the Bona Fide band with Chase Huna on sax, and in tribute to the late Bobby Caldwell, they will also be including four or five of his songs.

“It’s also gonna be great to have the ’70s sax legend Ronnie Laws back on the Island to perform (and go fishing)!”

However, Good admits that it’s “the youngsters” that he is famous for debuting that he loves the most, as well as new acts and artists that most people may not have heard of yet.

“Far as I know The Jazz Holdouts have never done a live show before. Just like I talked Four80East and 3rd Force out of just studio session work and onto a live stage years ago, I’ve spent the last seven years trying to talk Alan Palanker into doing a live Holdouts show, and finally it’s gonna happen. Wait, they aren’t youngsters, though!

“LEMEK with his dad (Quintin Gerard W.) are bringing their four Billboard No. 1 hits from the past year. Roberto Restuccia is breaking out from all the way from the U.K. Nathan Mitchell had been here before, but on keys for Nick Colionne. Now, he’s doing his own solo show.

“Oh ... and another, Kilauea reunion show. After 25 years since they disbanded, Catalina Island is the only place you’ll see their hot hits of the ’90s even being performed anymore.”

Then, there’s also the tried-and-true fan favorites that are sure to sell the most tickets. “The audiences always so love Boney. And, Mindi always sells out her ‘Unplugged’ shows. She almost has that opening night sold out now, a month out,” Good said. Abair is kicking off opening weekend at Descanso Beach for “Unplugged

Under the Stars” on Thursday, Oct. 12, and James is the scheduled Casino headliner on Sunday, Oct. 15.

In addition to the music, the location of the Festival on a scenic island 22 miles off the Southern California mainland adds to the enchantment. According to Good, the three key ingredients to this successful event are, in this order: 1. The island; 2. The historic Ballroom; 3. The best smooth jazz in the world. “And, then maybe, the rib eye at Steve’s Steakhouse and the sand dabs at Bluewater Grill,” he added playfully.

Good is aware that a hike in some hotel rates in recent years makes this trip a bit pricey, which is why he keeps his ticket prices relatively low. But he trusts that festivalgoers feel their money is well spent.

“I hope after all the great shows, the historic venue, the cool ocean air, the tiny seaport village and the Island, as their Catalina Express boat heads back to the mainland, and the Casino and Island disappear slowly into the distance, one festivalgoer looks at the one they are with and says, ‘Man, that was sure worth it.’ And then promise they’ll never let October happen again unless they are on smooth jazz island.”

Although Good is no longer at KiFM, he still hosts his weekly syndicated “JazzTrax Radio,” which streams online and airs on a few terrestrial radio stations. But he definitely plans to keep producing this festival as long as fans are buying tickets.

“If they keep comin’ ... I’ll keep doin’,” he promised.

Good’s 24-year-old son, Austin, grew up watching his dad produce this and other festivals, but he has recently taken a more active interest in the business. The Loyola Marymount University graduate, who majored in screenwriting, now works for a public relations firm that handles marketing, branding and red carpets for the film and television industry and charity fundraisers.

“If anything happens to me, Austin will take over. And he already has his name on all the Festival bank accounts,” Good concluded jovially.

How Art Good formulated a music genre

In the spring of 1975, when Good was a senior at Azusa Pacific College, he borrowed $1,500 to also attend a three-month broadcast workshop offered by Los Angeles radio station KIIS. “Coming from a small town in Indiana, being a star in radio was a dream come true,” Good explained.

Although the ads promised a job in radio after graduation, that never materialized. However, Good found a nonpaying DJ job at a small station in Big Bear Lake in California on his own. And, that was the beginning of his multi-decade broadcasting industry journey.

After several gigs in the “soft” or “mellow” rock format in Oregon and California, Good landed on KiFM’s graveyard shift in the summer of 1979. By the end of the summer, the then 25-year-old was promoted to the coveted morning drive spot.

Art Good welcoming patrons to the 2022 Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival

Photo: Pat Benter

In 1982, Art Good was tapped to host a specialty late-night show, “Lites Out San Diego,” which turned out to be the birth of the smooth jazz genre and radio format.

His signature soft voice became so popular that the station manager, Bruce Walton (brother of basketball great Bill Walton), promoted Good to program director in 1981. Good promptly began spicing up the format by selecting new songs from notso-well-known artists to add to the rotation alongside big names such as Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers and James Taylor. Not knowing much about jazz, Good plowed through all of the albums he’d received from record labels to find pop artists that could cross over to this blossoming format he unknowingly was helping to create.

“I chose Chuck Mangione, Spyro Gyra, Grover Washington Jr., Al Jarreau, and built the show out from there. Then musicians like Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, who started releasing solo albums. I didn’t know who David Sanborn was, so I threw that back in the pile,” he said chuckling.

In 1982, Good was tapped to host a specialty late-night show, “Lites Out San Diego.” Back then, Walton was hesitant to utter the word “jazz,” let alone include it in the title of a show. But

with Good’s creative guidance, “Lites Out” turned out to be the birth of the smooth jazz genre and radio format.

“I was choosing music and programming ‘Lites Out’ from a soft rock programmer’s perspective,” Good explained. “It’s all about melody. Songs that had melody from artists that had played on pop albums, who had a dynamic song, a great song.”

Almost overnight, the show developed a cult following and the station added a “Sunday Champagne Jazz” morning show for Good to host as well.

But office politics soon infected the workplace, Good said, and he left KiFM for another station in 1984. However, Walton wooed him back in 1985. By then, the 31-year-old Good had also launched his “JazzTrax Radio Show” and was syndicating it nationally. Two years later, he began producing a weekend festival on Catalina Island in October. The event expanded from one to two weekends, and then to three, before Good scaled back to the two pleasure-packed weekends that so many fans look forward to every year.

continued on page 14

Boney James

Sérgio Mendes

Mindi Abair “Unplugged Under the Stars” at Descanso Beach

Gerald Albright

Photos: Pat Benter

Photo: Tucker Tashjian After-party at Descanso Beach

Photo: Describe The Fauna

Rebecca Jade performing at the 2022 Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival

Photo: Pat Benter

When Where Getting There

Staying There Tickets

Eric Darius performing at the 2022 Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival

Photo: Pat Benter

QUINTIN GERARD W. & LEMEK

FATHER AND SON TAKE TOP TWO SPOTS ON THE BILLBOARD SMOOTH JAZZ AIRPLAY CHART

By Marcia Luttrell

Saxophonist Quintin Gerard W. and his son, guitarist LEMEK, will soon leave the steamy state of Louisiana and travel to California to perform at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival.

The pair are looking forward to sharing a stage accompanied by a full band celebrating surprisingly synchronized career accomplishments.

This summer, Gerard W. checked the Billboard Smooth Jazz Airplay chart and saw that his song “On A Roll” was in second place. His offspring, he noted, was at the No. 1 slot with the single “Groove Central” featuring Ryan La Valette in May and June. LEMEK’s single “Co-Motion” reached the top of the chart for four weeks from Nov. 12-Dec. 3, 2022, while Gerard W.’s “Broken Promises” spent a week at No. 1 in December 2022 as well. In July of this year, Gerard W.’s “On A Roll” spent three weeks at No. 1.

Consecutive Billboard No. 1s for the two was a double success for Gerard W., who has persevered and worked diligently to manage a music career while supporting and teaching his son.

Gerard W. studied jazz performance at Loyola University New Orleans. “Everything I wanted to learn about jazz was right here in my backyard,” he said.

After his second year of college, Gerard W. moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a professional recording artist.

“I had recording contract opportunities but they never materialized,” he said. “I would have to endure the trials of making a name for myself independently, without the support of a label.”

Though Gerard W. shared the stage with a number of notable smooth jazz artists, such as Dave Koz, Najee and a tour with Jeff Lorber, family life and caring for his late father required him to put much of his music career on pause.

Gerard W. invested in his son’s aspirations by buying him his first electric guitar, home-schooling him, and teaching him music composition.

“LEMEK grew up around music,” Gerard W. explained. “There was always music playing and conversations about music, not just about listening but how it was constructed. He was always around mature artists and seasoned musicians talking about music, not just from a consumer standpoint, but from a production standpoint. He started to develop his vocabulary and an understanding of how music works as early as age 6. I didn’t want LEMEK to experience the perils of the industry that I had suffered, so I personally took it upon myself to seek opportunities for him. Fortunately, I was able to secure a deal for him with trippin N Rhythm Records.”

LEMEK, whose Hebrew name translates to “strong man” and “builder,” remembered watching his dad and getting emotional when people applauded after a performance.

“I was a very observant child, so I would sit back and not talk much,” LEMEK said.

“I observed how hard my dad worked. He had a home studio, and he was always writing music or bringing in other musicians to record or co-produce. Everybody respected him and enjoyed working with him. It was an eye-opening experience as a child because I saw how the industry works.”

Photos: FilmMaker Pro Video

LEMEK

With his father’s support, LEMEK grew to become a talented guitarist and began performing at local festivals.

In 2020, he was the grand prize winner of the highly competitive First Annual Gibson/KRK Guitar Solo contest at NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants).

That same year, LEMEK contributed tracks on his father’s self-produced Cleared For Takeoff CD. He released his debut album, Emergence, in September 2023.

Gerard W. is now free to continue pursuing his own musical path, collaborating with producers such as Adam Hawley, keyboardist-composer Michael Broening and bassist-producer

Jacob Webb. His next CD, Broken Promises , is scheduled for release in January 2024.

Father and son are looking forward to performing together on Catalina Island amid “smooth jazz royalty.”

“In the past year, I have really come to admire contemporary jazz artists like Nathan Mitchell, Keiko Matsui, Gerald Albright and Roberto Restuccia,” LEMEK said.

“And working with my dad is fun onstage. He gives the crowd that energy, and he loves to do what he does. He’s very professional, and I look up to him in that regard. We are a team, and I am excited to give a great performance.”

Quintin Gerard W. and LEMEK are scheduled to perform at the 36th Annual Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival on Oct. 21, at noon, at the Catalina Casino in Avalon, California. For tickets, visit www.jazztrax.com. For more information on Gerard W. and LEMEK, visit their websites, www.quintingerardw.com and www.lemekyisraelmusic.com, respectively.

“He started to develop his vocabulary and an understanding of how music works as early as age 6.”

LEMEK Quintin Gerard W.

Euphoria

Keiko Matsui presents — a mesmerizing palette of colors, flavors, moods, rhythms

By Marcia Luttrell

Many composers create in the realm of sound with a process that involves tinkering with notes and experimenting with chord structures and scales. But globally renowned Japanese keyboardistcomposer Keiko Matsui gets her inspiration from silence.

In her quietest moments, the contemporary jazz artist says she “receives” melodies, or “motifs,” that she can color with different instrumentation, shade with certain moods, or energize with the rhythms of many different cultures.

Her new album, Euphoria (Shanachie Entertainment), marks her 30th release in the United States. The album is enriched with special guests that include vocalist Lalah Hathaway, guitarist Mike Stern, and Kirk Whalum and Randy Brecker on brass.

Photo: Raj Naik

Matsui began collecting her musical ideas for Euphoria in 2020, but the pandemic kept her from recording the album until last year. And, because of COVID-19, some of the musicians she initially considered were unavailable. In the end, though, the final product inspired the album’s title.

“Because of the pandemic, I had lots of time,” recalled the soft-spoken Matsui during a break from a promotional tour that is collecting a string of sold-out dates.

“I wanted to wait until we could all see each other, so the actual recording took place last July. The musicians I invited were perfect, and there are so many miracles in the sound. I am very happy, and I feel absolutely euphoric. Really!”

During the pandemic’s forced isolation, Matsui was able to reevaluate her life and take a hard look at her demanding schedule.

“Fortunately, I kept my health, and my family was OK,” she said.

“I realized I was traveling and working like crazy. I never stayed home for more than a week. It was a good time to think about the importance of life. At the same time, it was sad for me and for fans, too. The touring musicians, production people, lighting and sound engineers, everybody lost the opportunity to work because we couldn’t get together. I noticed how special it was to be onstage dedicating my songs.”

Matsui’s mantra is “music has no borders,” and she deeply missed touring, where she has fans and food favorites in the Lone Star State and countries such as Tokyo, South Africa and Georgia.

“I’m very much into food, and I love to experience authentic recipes when I’m in different countries,” Matsui enthused.

“When I went to the country of Georgia, I was introduced to chacha, an alcoholic drink. They made it in the bottle and put fruit inside—it’s like a fruity vodka. In Johannesburg, I had shrimp Mozambique, sauteed with butter and spices and served in a silver bowl. Tokyo is great, too. And, I shouldn’t forget, when we tour in Texas, we look for barbecue. We were driving in the van, and we found a place called Truth BBQ— most authentic and amazing.”

Since signing with the Shanachie Entertainment label a dozen years ago, Matsui has evolved to become a truer version of herself.

Born Keiko Doi in 1963, Matsui grew up in Tokyo, where her mother enrolled her in piano lessons at the age of 5. During high school, her musical tastes included American jazz and pop artists along with classical composers.

She began writing her own songs while attending the Yamaha Music Foundation, and at the age of 17, she composed her first film score.

She formed Cosmos, a modern funk group that recorded four albums in the 1980s. She also met Kazu Matsui, a Japanese shakuhachi

Filled with confidence and creativity, the worldrenowned keyboardistcomposer is triumphant with Euphoria and a string of sold-out tour dates.

Photo: Sandrine Lee

continued from page 21

flute player who would become her husband, co-producer and the father of her two daughters.

The couple released an album in 1987, A Drop of Water, which launched Keiko Matsui’s career.

Embraced by smooth jazz fans all over the world, Keiko Matsui became a regular presence on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz charts, and she collaborated in multiple genres with many of America’s most distinguished musicians.

Her husband continued to produce her albums until 2007, when Matsui traveled to South Africa to record Moyo (Swahili for “heart”).

Now divorced, Matsui considers Moyo, which she self-produced, the beginning of a professional rebirth.

“I was searching my inner self and finding the real me,” she explained.

“I had a hard time with marriage, but when I played my music in front of my fans, I became stronger and believed in myself more and more. I’m so grateful for that. I have two daughters, and I had to keep working as a single mom, but they understood why I was away, and my mom was a great support. Now, I have more freedom to follow my heart. After Moyo, every album and its title has so much meaning. I feel like I’m more creative.”

On Tour

Matsui’s subsequent albums on the Shanachie label are co-produced with manager Bud Harner, and her soulful intent is evident in Euphoria’s 12 tracks, a recording that captures the composer’s optimism and newfound enthusiasm for life.

She often starts with a simple, memorable piano melody that dances around performances by her guest artists. Highlights include the catchy, horn-fueled opener “Steps on the Globe,” a number Matsui calls her “jazz symphony.”

And the Latin-tinged “Legend of Yaguarón” pays tribute to Paraguay, where Matsui performed a charity concert in 2022 that served underprivileged children.

Matsui is widely known and appreciated for her humanitarian efforts.

She has performed concerts that benefit marrow-donor and breast-cancer research programs, and in 2011, she helped to support the revitalization of Japan after the earthquake and tsunami disasters. She said she will serve communities in need with concerts in Brazil and Argentina next year.

“When I travel, I see and hear about many problems in this world,” Matsui said. “I really hope this world shifts in a peaceful direction and that people can live together in harmony. I will continue to play my music, praying and believing that day will come with our love and courage.”

For more information on Matsui, visit https://keikomatsui.com.

Oct. 20

Catalina Island

JazzTrax Festival

Catalina Casino Ballroom

Avalon, California

www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849

Nov. 1-5

Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival

Protur Biomar Sensatori Resort

Sa Coma, Mallorca, Spain

www.mallorca.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

Feb. 23-25, 2024

Daytona Jazz Weekend hosted by Mindi Abair

One Daytona

Daytona Beach, Florida

www.floridasmoothjazz.com, 386-681-7007

April 7, 2024

Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest

with the Reading Pops Orchestra

Miller Center for the Arts

Reading, Pennsylvania

www.berksjazzfest.com

In her quietest moments, the contemporary jazz artist says she “receives” melodies, or “motifs,” that she can color with different instrumentation, shade with certain moods, or energize with the rhythms of many different cultures.

SAME CUSTOM Z BOLD NEW LOOK

Give yourself or someone you love the gift of Yamaha with the Custom Z alto and tenor saxophones. The stunning new amber finish adds a touch of vintage charm, while the hand engraving creates a striking contrast against the underlying brass color.

This holiday season, enjoy a rebate of up to $100 on any qualifying Yamaha wind instruments, including a selection of saxophones like the YAS-82ZIIA or YTS-82ZIIA. Offer only valid from an authorized participating Yamaha dealer, between October 2, 2023 and January 2, 2024.

MINDIABAIR

Packs her sax and wine for music adventures with her wine expert husband, guest artists and fans

By Marcia Luttrell

axophonist Mindi Abair has made her latest solo release, Forever, a power anthem that celebrates a return to her smooth jazz roots.

She has journeyed to many musical realms in her decadeslong career, sharing the stage with world-renowned musicians who represent many genres.

Forever makes a statement about who she is as an artist.

“There are certain records that give you a direction, and Forever was about me coming back to my center, which has always been jazz, with a bit of pop, rock and soul,” Abair affirmed via phone before leaving to host two weeks of her Wine + Jazz Adventure in Bordeaux, France.

She’s also scheduled to perform “unplugged” at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival in October.

Then, she will join A Peter White Christmas tour, beginning Nov. 29 in New Jersey with fellow sax player Vincent Ingala, to complete the popular combo that has a long history of delivering the holiday spirit to smooth jazz fans.

Another collaboration that has enriched Abair’s life is through her partnership with her husband, winemaker Eric Guerra. The couple met on a blind date arranged by fellow saxophonist and friend Dave Koz.

“Eric picked me up at my house and we became inseparable,” Abair confessed. “It is interesting how someone can become a part of your life, even when your life is so developed. I have a big life. I have a band and a great family and amazing friends. I think it’s hard to fit into my life. But it was super natural to let Eric in. He just fit.”

After discovering that they shared a sense of humor, a love of wine and music, and a passion for each other, they married in 2019 at Abair’s Hollywood, California, home.

Together, they launched WINEandJAZZ.com, a lifestyle company that combines their “dream jobs.”

“The business came about organically,” Abair said.

“Eric’s world of wine really added to my life. I didn’t realize how powerful it would be, this pairing, this back-and-forth of wine and music. He got to go to incredible wineries and run them at beautiful places. We also love to travel. We sat down with a whiteboard, a bottle of wine and markers. We thought, let’s be scientific about this. How can we live our best lives? Then, we made a decision.”

They decided to create a membership club (joining is optional) that offers participants the opportunity to purchase exclusive bottles of wine paired with complementary playlists, personally chosen by Abair.

Photo: Kristie Schram

Members also get the first-choice option to join Wine + Jazz Adventures, which are intimate, five-day excursions offered a few times a year.

Approximately 40 guests may join an adventure to travel to the world’s most prestigious wine locales, including Napa Valley in California, Tuscany, Italy, and Bordeaux. Participants stay at luxury hotels, tour wineries and dine at fourstar restaurants.

The events typically sell out. At press time, only the Napa Valley adventure in 2024 had rooms available from April 14-18.

Live music is a part of the adventure and guests are treated to daily concerts at picturesque outdoor venues by Abair and notable recording artists.

Guitarist Peter White and singer Ashling Cole, for instance, will join Abair for the Napa Wine + Jazz Adventure in April 2024.

As a musician, Abair was enthusiastic about combining wine tastings with music when she saw parallels in the way different grapes produce an array of flavors that enhance gatherings.

In the same way, music uses instrumentation to create a unique sound that enhances a mood or feeling.

“When Eric came into my life, it was eye-opening,” said Abair, who calls her husband the Galactic Viceroy of Wine. Her handle is the Galactic Princess of Music.

“Wine is so much like music,” Abair said. “It’s so interesting to see Eric’s friends come into my life who are winemakers. They really view wine like art, and that’s what we do as musicians. We look at music, put chord changes together, we sing melodies and we create what we are feeling. Sharing music with people is the best. I wanted to open myself up to different ways of getting to know the people who listen to my shows. And Eric wanted to sell wine to regular people instead of corporations.”

Abair’s recent album Forever makes the point that she is forever committed to her smooth jazz following through the sharing of wine and music.

“Longevity is hugely important to me,” she said. “I never wanted to be that artist that had a hit and then disappeared. I’ve strived to not make the same record again and again. I want to play and sing and be a part of music that moves me.”

Abair is moved by mixing things up, and she does so expertly with 10 songs on Forever that showcase her varied styles and voice while staying in the smooth jazz lane. Genre aficionados will particularly enjoy instrumentals such as the dreamy, waltzing tempo of “Midnight in San Francisco” and the blistering sax solo on the up-tempo title track.

Trumpeter Rick Braun joins her on “Call Me by Your Name,” a romantic ode to Abair’s husband, in which she sings the lyrics “You are my lover, my best friend. You are my song that never ends. You just know it when it’s right.”

Abair also sings the heartfelt “Where There’s a Woman There’s a Way,” a tribute “dedicated to moms everywhere.”

The video version of the song opens with Abair at the piano backed by a gospel choir before portraying a variety of women engaged in careers that range from a classical ballet dancer to a construction worker wearing a hardhat.

Abair calls her own mother “the great equalizer and the voice of reason.”

“My mom is the best mom on the planet,” Abair boasted with a laugh. “She has this beautiful, chill energy. She is my greatest fan.”

Abair’s mom has been married to her dad, a professional saxophonist, for 56 years, and she considers her parents “incredible role models who have always been there for each other.”

When Abair was in fourth grade, she decided to express her musical voice through a horn, just like her dad.

“My band instructor put a bunch of instruments on the ground and said, ‘choose one.’ I walked around and the saxophone called to me. I wanted to have as much fun as my dad, and sure enough, that came to be. My saxophone and I were inseparable. It’s sheer joy.”

It wasn’t always about the joy of playing, though.

Abair didn’t consider that being a woman in a man’s world might be difficult. She is one of the very few female jazz saxophone artists, and she stands out with long blond hair, a slim physique, and a stage persona that one social media admirer described as “oozing sensuality.”

“I have a big life. I have a band and a great family and amazing friends. I think it’s hard to fit into my life. But it was super natural to let Eric in. He just fit.”

Photo: Kristie Schram

Photo: Eric Guerra

Mindi Abair and saxophonist Vincent Ingala dining with guests at Abair’s 2023 Wine + Jazz Adventure at Montage Healdsburg

continued from page 25

“I started playing saxophone as a kid and no one told me it was odd for a girl to play a saxophone until it was way too late,” said Abair, who once played her horn a cappella on the streets of Santa Monica, California, while waiting for a break.

“It was my love. In college, I wanted to go to the University of Miami. After I played for the saxophone professor, he told me: ‘Girls don’t make it at this school. I’ll let you into the music education department.’”

Undaunted, Abair went on to graduate magna cum laude in woodwind performance at the Berklee College of Music.

“Berklee was all too happy to have a minority as a woman playing the saxophone,” she said. “They looked at it as a positive and gave me a scholarship. You find your way. You find places where you can grow and flourish.”

Abair is a two-time Grammy Award nominee, and over the years, her songs have made frequent visits on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts.

Her solo ventures include the biggest names in the music industry, and she has successfully segued from collaborating with maledominated rock, blues, jazz and soul projects to controlling her own destiny. Along the way, she has earned the respect of her colleagues and fans, regardless of gender.

“I think it’s so cool to be able to change people’s minds about what women can do, what women should do or what women should play. I love that I can be me and hopefully break the glass ceiling in my own way, along with a lot of other super talented women who are out there right now. Do we have to be more professional? Yes. Do we have to communicate differently than men to be powerful in an industry that’s male dominated? Yes. But it’s all worth it and it’s awesome. I love my place in this industry. I love that I can be a strong woman in a man’s world and represent. I feel really honored and lucky to have the career I have, and I don’t take it for granted.”

For more information on Abair, including her tour schedule, wine club and Wine + Jazz Adventures, visit www.mindiabair.com.

On Tour

Feb.

Daytona

386-681-7007

April 14-18 and 21-25, 2024

Mindi Abair’s Wine + Jazz Adventure-Napa Valley Various venues

Napa Valley, California

https://wineandjazz.com/napa2024

Photo:PatBenter

Mindi Abair with her husband, Eric Guerra, in a Napa Valley vineyard

Eric Guerra and Mindi Abair at their 2021 WINEandJAZZ.com wine tasting and dinner on Catalina Island

MINDI ABAIR’S ADVENTURES

COME WITH US TO THE WORLD’S LUXURY WINE REGIONS WHILE YOU INDULGE IN THE FINEST WINE, MUSIC AND FOOD

INTIMITE GROUP SIZES OF 40 PEOPLE

5 STAR HOTELS

PRIVATE SHOWS WITH WORLD RENOWNED MUSICIANS

MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS

CURATED WINERY VISITS & FINE WINE TASTINGS

FRANCE • ITALY • NAPA • SONOMA • SPAIN

NAPA VALLEY, CA

Week #1: April 14th - 18th, 2024

Week #2: April 21st - 25th, 2024

TUSCANY, ITALY

Week #1: October 27th - Nov 1st, 2024 SOLD OUT

Week #2: November 3rd - 8th, 2024 SOLD OUT

PIEDMONT, ITALY

Week #1: June 15th - 20th, 2024

Week #2: April 22nd - 27th, 2024

Eric Marienthal (Nine-Time Grammy Nominated & Two-Time Grammy Award Winning Saxophonist)

Karen Briggs (Known as the "Lady in Red" & renowned violinist)

Lao Tizer (Keyboardist & Leader of The LAO Tizer Band)

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

Rhythm on the Vine Jazz Concert Series featuring Kalapana, 7pm, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Vintner’s Garden, 34843 Rancho California Road, Temecula, California, www.southcoastwinery.com, 951-696-0184

12

36th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival Unplugged Under the Stars featuring A. Ray Fuller, 6pm; Mindi Abair, 7:30pm, Descanso Beach Club, Avalon, California, www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849

An Afternoon of Wine & Jazz with Mindi Abair & wine expert Eric Guerra, 2:30pm, The M Restaurant, 205 Crescent Ave., Avalon, California, mrestaurantandevents.com, 310-510-8404

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

13

36th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival featuring Slim Man’s Bona Fide, 7pm; the Bob James Trio with special guest Andrey Chmut, 9pm, Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849

Steve Cole, 8pm, Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver, Colorado, www.soileddove.com, 303-830-9214

An Evening with Adam Hawley, 7:30pm, City Vineyard, 233 West St., Pier 26, New York, New York, www.adamhawley.com, 646-677-8350

Hands 4 Hope LA 22nd Annual Benefit Concert, Starlight Serenade, featuring performances by Eric Marienthal, Karen Briggs, Lao Tizer; honoring legendary songwriting team Brian Holland, Eddie Holland & Lamont Dozier, 7:30pm, Television Academy, Wolf Theatre, 5220 Lankershim Blvd., N. Hollywood, California, https://hands4hope.org/, 818-763-4673

Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival presents Eric Benet; Eric Darius & Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com

14

Four80East, 8pm, Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, www.ramsheadonstage.com, 410-268-4545

36th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival featuring The Braxton Brothers, noon; Ronnie Laws, 2pm; Kayla Waters, 7pm; Sergio Mendes, 9pm, Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849

Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival featuring Matt Marshak, 1pm; Club Phred, 2:30pm; Marcus Anderson, Jackiem Joyner & Steve Oliver, 4pm; Marcus Anderson, Art Sherrod Jr., Rebecca Jade, Matt Marshak & Marion Meadows, 9pm, Rusty Rudder, 113 Dickinson St., Dewey Beach, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com

Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival featuring Grace Kelly, 3pm; Oleta Adams, 8pm, Lewes Elementary School, 820 Savannah Road, Lewes, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com

Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival featuring Gerald Albright with opening performance by Maysa, 12:30pm, Performing Arts Theater at Cape Henlopen High School, 1250 Kings Hwy., Lewes, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com

Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival presents Acoustic Alchemy, 2:30pm, Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com

Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival presents Dave Koz, 4pm; Peter White & Vincent Ingala with a special opening performance by Kirk Whalum, 9pm, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com

continued on page 30

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15

36th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival featuring Roberto Restuccia, noon; Eric Darius, 2pm; Kilauea with Daniel Ho, 7pm; Boney James, 9pm, Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849

Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival

Closing Party & Buffet featuring Marcus Johnson, Jackiem Joyner, Steve Oliver, Carol Riddick & Gerald Veasley, 6:30pm, Rusty Rudder, 113 Dickinson St., Dewey Beach, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com

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

16

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

19

36th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival Unplugged Under the Stars featuring Rob Tardik, 6pm; Craig Chaquico, 7:30pm, Descanso Beach Club, Avalon, California, www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849

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

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

20

36th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival featuring The Jazz Holdouts, 7pm; Keiko Matsui, 9pm, Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849

Jackiem Joyner, 7 & 10pm, Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver, Colorado, www.soileddove.com, 303-830-9214

Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival featuring Adam Hawley, Jazmin Ghent & Julian Vaughn, 4pm, Charlie’s Place, 1420 Carver St., Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, https://myrtlebeachjazzfest.com/

AZ Jazz Fest featuring Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Brian McKnight, Stokley, Gerald Albright, Marion Meadows & Nathan Mitchell, gates open at 3pm, music starts at 4pm, 5415 E. High St., Phoenix, Arizona, https://azjazzfest.com/

21

36th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival featuring Quintin Gerard W. & LEMEK, noon; Acoustic Alchemy, 2pm; Rebecca Jade, 7pm; Jesse Cook, 9pm, Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849

Adam Hawley, 7:30 & 10pm, Blues Boulevard Jazz, 300 River St., Suite

203, Greenville, South Carolina, bluesboulevardjazzgreenville.com/

AZ Jazz Fest featuring KEM, Jeffrey Osborne, Eric Darius, Norman Brown, Najee & Pieces of a Dream, gates open at 11am, music starts at noon, 5415 E. High St., Phoenix, Arizona, https://azjazzfest.com/

22

36th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival featuring Nathan Mitchell, noon; Gerald Albright, 2pm; Dotsero, 7pm; Chris Walker Tribute to Al Jarreau with Regina Belle, Bobby Lyle & Eric Marienthal, 9pm, Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849

AZ Jazz Fest featuring Kenny G, Lalah Hathaway, Spyro Gyra, David Sanborn, Michael Lington, Paul Taylor, Howard Hewett & Jesse Cook, gates open at 11am, music starts at noon, 5415 E. High St., Phoenix, Arizona, https://azjazzfest.com/

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

Rhythm on the Vine Jazz Concert Series featuring Steve Oliver & Blake Aaron, 7pm, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Vintner’s Garden, 34843 Rancho California Road, Temecula, California, www.southcoastwinery.com, 951-696-0184

23

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

26

Les Sabler featuring a 9-piece band, including The Smoking Section Horns & special guest vocalist Kimberly Fleming, 6pm, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, 1200 Forrest Park Dr., Nashville, Tennessee, https://cheekwood.org/events, 615-356-8000

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

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

27

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

28

Dee Lucas Birthday Bash with Phylicia Rae & Blake Aaron, 8pm, Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver, Colorado, www.soileddove.com, 303-830-9214

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

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

29

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

31

10th Annual Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival presents art/music/dinner featuring artist TBA, 6:45pm, art gallery, Protur Biomar Sensatori Resort, Sa Coma, Mallorca, Spain, www.mallorca.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

10th Annual Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival presents opening show featuring Shakatak, 9:30pm, openair stage, Protur Biomar Sensatori Resort, Sa Coma, Mallorca, Spain, www.mallorca.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

NOVEMBER

10th Annual Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival presents Matt Marshak, Jeff Lorber Fusion, 8:45pm, theatre stage; After-Show Party, 11:45pm, piano bar, Protur Biomar Sensatori

Resort, Sa Coma, Mallorca, Spain, www.mallorca.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

2

The Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend hosted by Eric Darius featuring JNL with Julian Vaughn, Nicholas Cole & Lin Rountree; Norman Brown; Sheila E.; Thursday night Jam, doors open at 6:30pm, concerts begin at 7pm; Artists’ Meet & Greet, 11:45pm, Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 100 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Florida, www.FloridaSmoothJazz.com, 386-681-7007

10th Annual Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival presents Afternoon Chill featuring chilled drinks, loungy DJ grooves & artist interviews, 3pm, pool stage; evening concerts featuring Michael Manson, Steve Cole, 8:45pm, theatre stage; After-Show Party, 11:45pm, piano bar, Protur Biomar Sensatori Resort, Sa Coma, Mallorca, Spain, www.mallorca.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

3

The Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend hosted by Eric Darius featuring Marcus Anderson & Adam Hawley; Acoustic Alchemy; Eric Darius; Friday night Jam, doors open at 6:30pm, concerts begin at 7pm; Artists’ Meet & Greet, 11:45pm, Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 100 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Florida, www.FloridaSmoothJazz.com, 386-681-7007

10th Annual Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival presents Afternoon Chill featuring chilled drinks, loungy DJ grooves & artist interviews, 3pm, pool stage; evening concerts featuring Ilya Serov, Keiko Matsui, 8:45pm, theatre stage; After-Show Party, 11:45pm, piano bar, Protur Biomar Sensatori Resort, Sa Coma, Mallorca, Spain, www.mallorca.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

Life Luxe Experience featuring Amanda Cole, The Baylor Project, Bob James, Eric Benét & Zapp, 5-11pm, The Reserve Day Club at The Vidanta Los Cabos, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, https://lifeluxeexp.com, 888-839-7926

4

The Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend hosted by Eric Darius featuring Rick Braun; Peter White & Vincent Ingala, doors open at 11:30am, concerts begin at noon; dinner, 5pm; evening concerts featuring Special EFX All-Stars with Chieli Minucci, Maysa, Jeff Kashiwa, Karen Briggs & Lao Tizer; Brian Culbertson; Grand Finale Jam, doors open at 7pm, concerts begin at 7:30pm; Artists’ Meet & Greet, 11:15pm, Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 100 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Florida, www.FloridaSmoothJazz.com, 386-681-7007

10th Annual Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival presents Roberto Restuccia, Jackiem Joyner, 11am, open-air stage; Afternoon Chill featuring chilled drinks, loungy DJ grooves & artist interviews, 3pm, pool stage;

evening concerts featuring Rebecca Jade, Kirk Whalum, 8:45pm, theatre stage; After-Show Party, 11:45pm, piano bar, Protur Biomar Sensatori Resort, Sa Coma, Mallorca, Spain, www.mallorca.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

Life Luxe Experience featuring Kevin Ross, Jazz in Pink, After 7, Damien Escobar & Boney James, 5-11pm, The Reserve Day Club at The Vidanta Los Cabos, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, https://lifeluxeexp.com, 888-839-7926

Mindi Abair, pre-show WINEandJAZZ.com wine tasting, 5:45pm; concert starts at 8:30pm, Dosey Doe, The Big Barn, 25911 Interstate 45, The Woodlands, Texas, www.doseydoetickets.com, 281-367-3774

5

10th Annual Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival presents John Stoddart, Rudiger Baldauf, 11am, open-air stage; Afternoon Chill featuring chilled drinks, loungy DJ grooves & artist interviews, 3pm, pool stage; evening concerts featuring Citrus Sun, Grande All-Star Finale, 8:45pm, theatre stage; After-Show Party, 11:45pm, piano bar, Protur Biomar Sensatori Resort, Sa Coma, Mallorca, Spain, www.mallorca.smoothjazzfestival.de, shop@smooth-entertainment.eu

Steve Oliver, 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment,

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continued from page 31

3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

6

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

8

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

11th Annual Jazz Legacy Foundation Gala Weekend Official Pre-Party featuring Tom Browne & Bela Dona, 7pm, Roger Brown’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, 316 High St., Portsmouth, Virginia, https:/jazzlegacyfoundation.org, 757-737-2416

9

Boney James, 6 & 9pm, Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis,

Maryland, www.ramsheadonstage.com, 410-268-4545

11th Annual Jazz Legacy Foundation

Gala Weekend Kick-Off Thursday featuring Damien Escobar; Bob Baldwin & Ragan Whiteside; The Fellas: Marcus Anderson, Nathan Mitchell, Julian Vaughn, Lin Rountree & Nicholas Cole, 6pm, Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Dr., Hampton, Virginia, https://jazzlegacyfoundation.org, 757-737-2416

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

10

Marion Meadows, 8pm, Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver, Colorado, soileddove.com, 303-830-9214

11th Annual Jazz Legacy Foundation

Gala Weekend featuring Boney James, Jeffrey Osborne, Lindsey Webster, Jackiem Joyner & Brian Simpson, 6pm; Late-Night JAM Session hosted by Nathan Mitchell

with DJ Godfather, 11pm, Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Dr., Hampton, Virginia, https://jazzlegacyfoundation.org, 757-737-2416

Jazz Funk Soul featuring Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson Jr. & Everette Harp, 8pm, The Vogel at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, New Jersey, https://thebasie.org/venue/the-vogel, 732-842-9000

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

11

11th Annual Jazz Legacy Foundation

Gala Weekend Night of Elegance featuring Sheila E., Will Downing, Jonathan Butler, Steve Cole & Christian de Mesones, 6pm, Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Dr., Hampton, Virginia, https://jazzlegacyfoundation.org, 757-737-2416

11th Annual Jazz Legacy Foundation

Gala Weekend Smooth Jazz Lunch

Cruise & Day Party featuring Jammin Jay Lamont, the Forte Jazz Trio, DJ Heart Attack, 11am, aboard the Spirit of Mount Vernon, board at Otter Berth, Norfolk, Virginia, https://jazzlegacyfoundation.org, 757-737-2416

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

12

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

Keiko Matsui, 8pm, Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, www.ramsheadonstage.com, 410-268-4545

11th Annual Jazz Legacy Foundation Gala Weekend Grand Finale featuring Richard Elliot; Maysa; Peter White & Vincent Ingala; Howard Hewett & Michael Lington; Four80East, Art Sherrod Jr. & JJ Sansaverino, 3pm, Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610

Coliseum Dr., Hampton, Virginia, https://jazzlegacyfoundation.org, 757-737-2416

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

14

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

16

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

18

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

20

Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival featuring Adam Hawley, Jazmin Ghent & Julian Vaughn, 4pm, Charlie’s Place, 1420 Carver St., Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, https://myrtlebeachjazzfest.com/

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

21

Adam Hawley, 7:30 & 10pm, Blues Boulevard Jazz, 300 River St., Suite 203, Greenville, South Carolina, bluesboulevardjazzgreenville.com/

24

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy., Atlanta, Georgia, www.davekoz.com

Rick Braun’s Christmas featuring Eric Darius & Lindsey Webster, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

25

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, Florida, www.rutheckerdhall.com, 727-791-7400

Jazz Funk Soul featuring Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson Jr. & Everette Harp, 8pm, The Madison Theatre at Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre, New York, https://madisontheatreny.org

Rick Braun’s Christmas featuring a special guest, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old

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

26

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7pm, Hayes Hall at Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples, Florida, www.davekoz.com

Adam Hawley, 6pm, Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, California, www.adamhawley.com

Rick Braun’s Christmas featuring Richard Elliot, 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

27

Rick Braun’s Christmas featuring Lindsey Webster, 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

28

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7:30pm, Sunrise Theatre, 117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, Florida, www.sunrisetheatre.com, 772-461-4775

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 7:30pm, The Vogel at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, New Jersey, https://thebasie.org/ venue/the-vogel, 732-842-9000

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas

Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7:30pm, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida, www.vanwezel.org, 941-263-6799

30

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas

Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida, http://floridatheatre.com/, 904-355-2787

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

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DECEMBER

1

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas

Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, Knight Concert Hall at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of MiamiDade County, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Florida, www.davekoz.com, 305-949-6722

A Peter White Christmas with Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 7pm, John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, 501 Crescent St., New Haven, Connecticut, www.peterwhite.com, 203-392-6154

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

2

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News, Virginia, www.fergusoncenter.org, 757-594-8752

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 7pm, Miller Center for the Arts, 4 N. 2nd St., Reading, Pennsylvania, www.berksarts.org/holiday-kickoff

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

3

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 4:30 & 7:30pm, Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland,

www.ramsheadonstage.com, 410-268-4545

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, N. Bethesda, Maryland, www.strathmore.org, 301-581-5100

Michael Lington & Wendy Moten Christmas Show, 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

4

Music Monday featuring Adam Hawley Christmas Album-Release Party, 6:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

5

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas

Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7:30pm, The Palladium at The Center for the Performing Arts, 1 Carter Green, Carmel, Indiana, www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org, 317-843-3800

Paul Jackson Jr., 7pm, Campus Jax, 3950 Campus Dr., Newport Beach, California, https://campusjax.com/, 949-261-6270

Mexico Jazz Experience featuring a special performance by Eric Darius “In A Different Light,” 6:15pm, Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, https://mexicojazzexperience.com/, 602-244-8444

6

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall, 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall, Pennsylvania, https://librarymusichall.com

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 8pm, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N., Ponte

Vedra Beach, Florida, www.pvconcerthall.com, 904-209-0367

Mexico Jazz Experience hosted by Eric Darius, featuring Jessy J & Jackiem Joyner, 6:30pm; Spyro Gyra, 8pm; David Sanborn, 9:45pm, Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, https://mexicojazzexperience.com/, 602-244-8444

7

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 8pm, Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater, Florida, www.rutheckerdhall.com, 727-791-7400

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison St., Detroit, Michigan, www.davekoz.com

Mexico Jazz Experience hosted by Eric Darius, featuring VIP dinner with Jeff Bradshaw, Nathan Mitchell & J. White, 5pm; Jazz Funk Soul with Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp & Paul Jackson Jr., 6:30pm; Paul Taylor, Michael Lington & Wendy Moten, 8pm; Boney James, 9:45pm, Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, https://mexicojazzexperience.com/, 602-244-8444

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

8

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio, www.cbusarts.com

Mexico Jazz Experience hosted by Eric Darius, featuring VIP dinner with Jeff Bradshaw, Nathan Mitchell & J. White, 5pm; Najee, 6:30pm; Gerald Albright, 8pm; RnR with Richard Elliot & Rick Braun, 9:45pm; Late Night Cigar Hang with Michael Lington, 11pm, Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort,

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, https://mexicojazzexperience.com/, 602-244-8444

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

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 6 & 8:30pm, The Lyric Theatre, 59 S.W. Flagler Ave., Stuart, Florida, www.lyrictheatre.com, 772-286-7827

9

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 6 & 9pm, The Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton, Florida, https://funkybiscuit.com/

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., Chicago, Illinois, https://auditoriumtheatre.org/

Mexico Jazz Experience hosted by Eric Darius, featuring pool party with J. White, 1pm; VIP dinner with Jeff Bradshaw, Nathan Mitchell & J. White, 5pm; Step & Repeat photo op with Eric Darius, 5pm; All-White Theme Night featuring Jazmin Ghent, Julian Vaughn & Adam Hawley, 6:30pm; Kirk Whalum, 8pm; Eric Darius & Eric Roberson, 9:45pm; Late Night Cigar Hang with Michael Lington, 11pm, Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, https://mexicojazzexperience.com/, 602-244-8444

Greg Adams & East Bay Soul Sweet Soul Christmas, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 10

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 7pm, Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs, Crystal Ballroom, 350 Northlake Blvd., Altamonte Springs, Florida, www.mindiabair.com

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7pm, KeyBank State Theatre, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, www.davekoz.com, 216-241-6000

Mexico Jazz Experience hosted by Eric Darius, featuring Brian Simpson & Marion Meadows, 6:30pm; Jeffrey Osborne, 8pm; Norman Brown, 9:45pm, Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, https://mexicojazzexperience.com/, 602-244-8444

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

12

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7:30pm, Abraham Chavez Theatre, 1 Civic Center Plaza, El Paso, Texas, https://elpasolive.com/venues/ abraham-chavez-theatre, 915-231-1100

13

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7:30pm, Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa, Arizona, www.mesaartscenter.com, 480-644-6500

14

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 6:30 & 8:30pm, Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver, Colorado, www.soileddove.com, 303-830-9214

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7:30pm, Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa, Arizona, www.mesaartscenter.com, 480-644-6500

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

continued on page 36

continued from page 35

15

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Dr., Cerritos, California, www.cerritoscenter.com, 562-916-8500

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 8pm, Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa, Access Showroom, 7300 N. Aliante Pkwy., N. Las Vegas, www.aliantegaming.com/, 702-692-7777

16

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

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Dr., Cerritos, California, www.cerritoscenter.com, 562-916-8500

Jessy J, 8pm, Sycuan Casino Resort, Live & Up Close, 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon, California, www.sycuan.com/ events/live-and-up-close-events, 619-445-6002

Adam Hawley, 7pm, Gem Theater, 1615 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Missouri, www.americanjazzmuseum.org/ gem-theater

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 8pm, Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa, Access Showroom, 7300 N. Aliante Pkwy., N. Las Vegas, www.aliantegaming.com/, 702-692-7777

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

17

Adam Hawley & Julian Vaughn present “Holiday Jam” with special guest Adrian Crutchfield, 6 & 8:15pm, Middle C Jazz, 300 S. Brevard St., Charlotte, North

Carolina, https://middlecjazz.com, 704-595-3311

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 8pm, The Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts, 809 E. Olive Ave., Fresno, California, www.towertheatrefresno.com/

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

18

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas

Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7pm, McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Dr., Palm Desert, California, www.davekoz.com, 760-340-2787

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

19

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 6:30 & 8:30pm, Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, Arizona, https://mim.org/

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas

Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, Balboa Theatre, 868 4th Ave., San Diego, California, www.davekoz.com

20

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 8 & 10pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero W., Oakland, California, www.yoshis.com, 510-238-9200

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7:30pm, Ruth Finley Person Theater at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, California, https://lutherburbankcenter.org, 707-546-3600

21

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 8 & 10pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero W., Oakland, California, www.yoshis.com, 510-238-9200

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 8pm, San Jose Civic, 135 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, California, www.davekoz.com, 408-792-4111

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

22

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas

Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7:30pm, The Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts, 809 E. Olive Ave., Fresno, California, towertheatrefresno.com/

Mindi Abair pre-show Reserve Wine Tasting, 5pm; A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 6:30 & 9pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

23

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

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas

Tour featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade & Marcus Anderson, & introducing Justin-Lee Schultz, 7:30pm, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto, California, www.galloarts.org, 209-338-2100

A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala: 20th Anniversary, 8pm, Balboa Theatre, 868 4th Ave., San Diego, California, https://sandiegotheatres.org/

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

28

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

29

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

30

Rick Braun’s New Year’s Eve featuring Adam Hawley & Jazmin Ghent, 8pm; Boney James & Rick Braun, 9:30pm, Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, Florida, www.FloridaSmoothJazz.com, 386-681-7007

31

Rick Braun’s New Year’s Eve, dinner starts at 7pm; concert featuring Brian Simpson & Rebecca Jade, 9pm; New Year’s Eve concert featuring Rick Braun, Peter White & Vincent Ingala joined by Jazmin Ghent, Rebecca Jade & Brian Simpson, 10:30pm, Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, Florida, www.FloridaSmoothJazz.com, 386-681-7007

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 38

We Can Beat Cancer!

This coming January 26, 2024, is a very special benchmark for me, I will be considered a “Survivor”, 5 years cancer free! I am so grateful for the funding and dedication to research in helping me survive this disease that has taken so many; I am proof that early detection and self-advocacy can save lives.

—Kathy Payne

ARTHUR

Featuring Dave Koz & Erin Stevenson

jazz bruNches

continued from page 36

OCTOBER

1

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

8

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

15

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

22

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

29

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

NOVEMBER 5

The Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend hosted by Eric Darius Sunday Brunch with the Artists, 8:30am; Artist Q&A Panel with Rick Braun, Eric Darius, Marcus Anderson, Adam Hawley, Nicholas Cole, Lin Rountree, Vincent Ingala, Peter White, Chieli Minucci & Maysa, 10:30am, Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 100 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Florida, www.FloridaSmoothJazz.com, 386-681-7007

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

DECEMBER

3

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

10

Mexico Jazz Experience Gospel Brunch featuring Kirk Whalum,

10am, Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, https://mexicojazzexperience.com/, 602-244-8444

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

17

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

24

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

31

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

Photos: Cooper Hardwick

Photo: Cooper Hardwick

Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch in Seal Beach, California

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, ENJOY THE SPAGHETTINI EXPERIENCE ONE OF TWO WAYS:

IN OURPERFORMANCELOUNGE ORAT HOME

Our 35th Anniversary Cookbook contains everything you’d expect from an experience at Spaghettini–food, drinks and music. All the artists shown above are featured in the cookbook, along with stories and access to curated playlists of their music. Other artists also featured in the book are Dave Koz, Rebecca Jade, Terry Steele and Jonathan Butler.

THURSDAYS

SCAN FOR MENU, RESERVATIONS, MUSIC CALENDAR, TICKETS & COOKBOOK

SEAL BEACH, CA

DW3

Peter White featuring Mindi Abair & Vincint Ingala Eric Marienthal featuring Lee Ritenour

Rick Braun featuring Eric Darius & Lindsey Webster

Poncho Sanchez Richard Elliot

Michael Lington featuring Wendy Moten

jAzz BuZz

By Melanie Maxwell

Ho Ho Ho, Peter White promises his very best holiday show

A Peter White Christmas celebrates 20th anniversary with Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala

Saxophonists Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala are joining guitarist Peter White for his 20th anniversary A Peter White Christmas tour. How did White choose this ensemble for his two-decade anniversary, which will perform 28 shows throughout its 18-city run? I’ll let him tell you …

“It was 20 years ago today—well, almost today—that I had the idea to put my first Christmas tour together,” White said in his charming British accent. “I knew that I needed a good collaborator, someone that could play sax and sing, and that’s how I found Mindi Abair, who had just released her first smooth jazz CD. When I visited her to discuss the tour, she had just recorded two Christmas songs, so the timing was perfect.”

White reminisced and grimaced about those early challenges.

“That first tour was hard work. We had no driver, so Mindi drove one minivan and I drove the other for the entirety of the tour. Nowadays, we rent a tour bus for most of the shows so we can relax between the concerts. But back then, with all the preparations, rehearsals, playing the shows and driving everywhere, it was the most work I had ever done!

“So, 20 years on we are celebrating this anniversary milestone by putting our Christmas show together again with the addition of the amazingly talented Vincent Ingala. Fun fact, he was only 10 years old when Mindi and I played our first Christmas show in 2003!”

Now that White and his team have everything dialed in, and he’s got 19 versions of a holiday show under his proverbial Santa’s belt, what can his fans expect with this new rendition?

“It’ll be a ‘greatest hits’ show featuring all the best moments of all our previous holiday tours, along with some of our own songs for variety.

“We do hope to see you all out there along the way! And this time we will have a bus and a driver, so we can concentrate on putting on the best show ever for you! Ho ho ho!” White enthused.

Tips for holiday cheer and a happy new year

Tips for holiday cheer and a happy new year

Mindi Abair, Peter White and Vincent Ingala

Photo: Greg Allen

A Peter White Christmas tour kicks off on Nov. 29, in Red Bank, New Jersey, and concludes on Dec. 23, in San Diego. For tickets and the tour schedule, visit www.peterwhite.com.

Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2023 features Jonathan Butler, Marcus Anderson, Rebecca Jade and Justin-Lee Schultz

Dave Koz announces the 26th anniversary edition of the longestrunning jazz-based Christmas tour. Beginning the next era of this rich musical tradition, the multi-Grammy-nominated saxophonist and his latest ensemble of friends will perform fresh renditions of timeless Christmas classics, as well as a Hanukkah medley, and hits from their respective catalogs.

The tour reunites Koz with longtime musical partner, guitaristsinger Jonathan Butler, and will feature special guests, saxophonist-

flutist Marcus Anderson making his debut, and vocalist Rebecca Jade, marking her third time with the tour.

Traversing 25 cities over one month on the road, the tour will also introduce musical prodigy Justin-Lee Schultz, a 16-year-old South Africa-born, U.S.-based pianist-guitarist-vocalist.

The Dave Koz and Friends Christmas tour kicks off on Nov. 24, in Atlanta, and ends on Dec. 23, in Modesto, California. For tickets and the tour schedule, visit www.davekoz.com.

Rick Braun’s New Year’s Eve weekend moves to Orlando, Florida

A star-studded affair featuring Boney James, Peter White, Adam Hawley, Rebecca Jade, Brian Simpson and Jazmin Ghent

hotel, and I know all of the fans will have a wonderful time. I’m so looking forward to the shows myself! How could I not be? We have an amazing lineup of wonderfully talented people who just happened to be my good friends! Can’t wait to see everyone there!”

Guitarist Adam Hawley and saxophonist Jazmin Ghent kick off the concerts on Dec. 30, followed by Boney James and Braun. An optional golf tournament is scheduled for Saturday morning for an additional fee.

Rick Braun has been ringing in the new year with his friends and fans in Tucson, Arizona, for more than a decade. This year, however, he’s moving the celebration to Orlando, Florida, and the production will change hands from his longtime business partner, Sandy Riser, to Cathy Powers, founder of The Florida Smooth Jazz Foundation.

“After so many years of successful sold-out shows in Tucson, I felt it was time to do something fresh,” Braun said. “I have known Cathy Powers since the very beginning of my career, and we have always had a great time working together and I’ve always enjoyed performing at her events.

“I looked at several options when I made the decision to move the event, and it just felt very natural to work with Cathy in Orlando. The Rosen Shingle Creek resort is an absolutely beautiful

On Sunday, Dec. 31, dinner begins at 7 p.m., with concerts starting at 9 p.m., featuring Brian Simpson and Rebecca Jade, followed by the main show featuring Braun, Peter White, Vincent Ingala, Ghent, Jade and Simpson.

Rick Braun’s New Year’s Eve weekend is scheduled for Dec. 30-31, at Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, Florida. For tickets and information, visit www. floridasmoothjazz. com, or call 386-681-7007.

Photo: Antonio Dixon

Photo: Raj Naik

Photo: Melisa Miranda

Dave Koz

Jonathan Butler Marcus Anderson

Rebecca Jade

Justin-Lee Schultz

Photo: Raj Naik

Photo: Dan Boissy

Photo: Describe The Fauna

Boney James Adam Hawley

Rick Braun

Photo: Rhonda Kilpatrick

Jazz Up Your Pup’s Grooming Routine!

Community Foundation

In response to the devastating wildfires on Maui, HCF is suppor ng a ected communities through the Maui Strong Fund by providing financial resources for immediate and long-term recovery needs.

at hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

CASHMIRA’S STARGUIDE

Libra Sept. 23 - Oct. 22

It would be a bad idea to bring others into a current negotiation you are having. Even if there is a good intention, it doesn’t really matter when things are so delicate. The discussion should remain just between the two of you.

Scorpio Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

What? Have you discovered the fountain of youth? You are looking good and feeling even better these days. Make the most of your fine self and get out there. Who knows what new adventures you may find? Cashmira will leave that up to you!

Sagittarius Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

Hmm. … You have a germ of an idea. Maybe it’s time to discuss it with an expert to see if this could go somewhere. You have the talent, taking the advice of someone with experience could only help direct you into a potential change.

Capricorn Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

You’ve got a very important project going, and it’s starting to get overwhelming. Take the time to find others who can give you advice and assistance; so then you can get real about your expectations.

Aquarius Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

You might have a reputation for being a party animal, but you like your quiet times, too. Make sure to create that space for yourself in order to examine some of your latest decisions. You can benefit from looking at things through a different lens.

Pisces Feb. 19 - March 20

Now is not the time to feel confused about the recent changes in your life. Some things just need to be dealt with as best you can. You want to stay positive on your new path. Make sure your family is on board with you.

BOOK REVIEW

“Holding the Note”

By David Remnick

Knopf• 2023• 304 pages•$30

Reviewed by Darcy Peters

Aries March 21 - April 19

There has been a long period of awkwardness between you and a friend. It’s time to address the issue and get it out in the open. Just let your friend know how much it really matters to you to keep the relationship.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

It looks like workplace guidelines are making it a bit difficult for you to maintain a relationship you would like to hold onto. If you are clear about your intentions, a conversation is in order for you and your management.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

It would be a mistake to let others advise you about financial matters at this time. Unless you are speaking with a professional, it would be best to trust yourself and remain cautious. Others may not have bad intentions, but mistakes can be costly.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

Sometimes it feels fine to do things with a group of friends that does not include your significant other, but once in a while you need to invite your partner into the group. It goes both ways because experiences need to be shared.

Leo July 23 - Aug. 22

You have been getting lots of compliments from managers in the workplace lately, and your fellow employees are getting a little tired of it. What they should be doing is checking out your actions and accomplishments so that some of those compliments could come their way.

Virgo Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

Daily chores can really be a drag, but we all have to get those done. Don’t waste your time complaining about these things. Instead, concentrate on sharing the good times with your partner. Remember, we all must manage everyday responsibilities.

The New Yorker Editor and Pulitzer Prize winner David Remnick has had a lifelong love of music. This book is a collection of some of the articles he’s written over the years. Remnick includes his own memories as well as the histories and recollections of the musicians he has interviewed. He says: “Songs are emotionally charged and brief, so we remember them whole: the melody, the hook, the lyrics, where we were, what we felt. And they are emotional adhesive, especially when they’re encountered in our youth.”

Several stories feature celebrity musicians in the latter part of their careers. Remnick writes, “For musicians late in their careers, it’s the spirit of sostenuto, of sustain, that prevails: writing, playing and performing keeps them in the game, helping to replenish what age has attenuated.”

Articles about Leonard Cohen, Aretha Franklin, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Mavis Staples, Charlie Parker and Phil Schaap, Bruce Springsteen, Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan and Patti Smith are also included.

Remnick recalls visiting Cohen in his final days. The legendary Canadian songwriter, poet and artist was well aware his time was running out. After discovering his longtime manager embezzled more than $5 million from his retirement account, Cohen, then in his 70s, performed 387 shows between 2008 and 2013 to replenish the funds. When the Grand Tour ended in 2013, Cohen never performed again.

Remnick’s Franklin article reveals her many idiosyncrasies (such as accepting payments in cash only) as well as explaining her life with her very powerful father and his reach in the world of gospel. Franklin accepted her stature as “Queen of Soul” as her due.

Guy was 82 when Remnick wrote the piece about the blues player that was included in this book. “Several years ago, in 2015, after the funeral of B.B. King, he was overcome not only with grief for a friend but also with a suffocating sense of responsibility.” The Chicago jazz scene had been dying off and the responsibility of trying to find new artists weighed on Guy. Jazz musician Shemekia Copeland said, “The blues as Buddy knows it, as he does it, really will be gone when he is gone.”

As the music industry mourns the loss of these great artists, at 84 years old, Staples comes to terms with her age. During an interview, she tells Remnick, “But, see I just have to be ready. If it comes tomorrow, I’m ready. I have done all that I’m supposed to do … I’m going to sing every time I get on the stage—I’m gonna sing with all my heart and all I can put out.”

When Remnick wrote “Bird Flight,” it was not an article merely about Parker (aka “Bird”), it was also about his No. 1 fan, Schaap, who hosted a radio show on WKCR, Columbia University’s radio station, for many years. His obsession with Bird knew no bounds and he possessed a huge amount of information about many jazz musicians.

On a visit with Springsteen, Remnick posed, “But, unlike the Rolling Stones, say, who have not written a great song since the disco era and come together only to pad their fortunes as their own cover band, Springsteen refuses to be a mercenary curator of his past.” The 73-year-old rock star, who has never done drugs and for 30 years has followed an exercise program to be able to perform the way he wants to, continues to evolve as an artist.

Any music fan will appreciate this well-written collection.

Research is the reason I’m here for my family.”

MARIA, DIAGNOSED IN 2022, WITH HER GRANDDAUGHTER