view & read the 2013 catalina island jazztarx festival program

Welcome back to . . . Smooth Jazz Island .. . and the world famous 1929 AvalonBallroom . . . looking out to Sea. Whereeach October since 1987 the Smooth JazzUniverse has centered itself in this tinyseaport village, on an Island, 26 miles offthe Southern California Coastline. WhereGrover Washington Jr. came in 1991 andafter BOTH his Sunday Night closing per-formances took his sax up to the old BlueParrot Bar and sat in with the local jazzband. Where Boney James first came inthe early 90's, but as James Oppenheim,the saxophonist in Bobby Caldwell's band.Where Jesse Cook made his 1995 U.S.debut, but downstairs in the Marine RoomBar. Where a totally unknown young sax-ophonist named Mindi Abair showed up ina 1994 Sunday Afternoon All Star Jam andlater that night with a just emerging RickBraun also at the old Blue Parrot Bar.Where Keiko Matsui discovered PaulTaylor gigging in Jeff Lorber's band andhired him for hers. Where Richard Elliotonce parasailed past the Casino for hisencore playing "Somewhere Over theRainbow." Where Peter White gave hisfirst solo major stage performance in 1991.Where Four 80 East came out of "only astudio band" to give their first ever live per-formance. Where so many artists havestaged the start of their careers from inpast October's.

When I created this festival, nearing 3decades ago, I didn't know of any other 'allcontemporary' jazz festivals in America orthe world. Jazz Festivals traditionally hadbeen mostly "traditional" jazz with a tinycontemporary twist like a Tim Weisberg ora Spyro Gyra or a George Benson thrownin. Far as I know JazzTrax is the granddaddy smooth jazz festival of them all.Longest running and who else butMontreaux in Switzerland runs for 3weeks? Was and still is 'one of a kind.'

The JazzTrax Festival's inception justahead of the popping up of Smooth JazzRadio stations in most major markets.

Originally just a One Weekend Festival it'sfirst 4 years. In 1991 expanding to 2 week-ends. In 1999 to 3 consecutive weekends.All timed to the EXPLOSION of SmoothJazz in the 90's and through the 00's.

Even with the downturn in the economy,"the Great Recession," our 3 weekendscontinued and although our attendancewas affected, YOU SMOOTHERS keptcoming. But every business should andmust evaluate the market and demandeven as all of you re evaluated your portfo-lio's (and how many houses you reallyneeded) when the economy crashed. Iwas a bit stubborn thinking it would allcome back. Quickly wouldn't be the appli-cable word, but the economy has comeback as it always does, just not to where itwas and why should it come all the wayback to the 'bubble' days. Therefore evenas many of you have done in your lives andbusinesses the time for us has come for areadjustment to where reality and spend-ing patterns have now settled for theSmooth Jazz audience.

Since the Great Recession JazzTraxFestival goers have returned and in largenumbers, and from all over America, how-ever just not in 3 weekend numbers. Sincethe economy's recession retraction andsubsequent correction this festival hasbeen a bit like 3 airplanes taking off whereonly 2 were needed to accommodateeveryone. Therefore in 2014 this festivalwill consolidate back to 2 airplanes, 2"weekends." Part of our plan to keep thislegendary festival going strongly another10 years. The 28th annual Catalina IslandJazzTrax Festival, This grand daddy of 'emall will next year be held 2 consecutiveweekends, on what have been our 2nd and3rd October weekends. Oct. 9-Oct. 19.

I believe this consolidation will now secureanother full decade for the JazzTraxFestival. By then, who knows what kind offestival my son, by then in his mid 20'smight decide to take it. After all, we were allaround age 30 when the JazzTrax Festivalfirst began. For those who always attendthe 2nd or 3rd weekends, nothing willchange, cept you'll see more people, a fullor close to full Ballroom. It's the first week-end which will go away next year. Oddyou say, but historically since we went to 3weekends the first weekend has had the

lowest attendance. We also noticed moreand more that most wait to see the entireArtist Line-Up before selecting whichweekend to attend.

It's amazing how many of you for over 2decades and some for all 27 years haveheld the same Club Seats or Tables,almost religiously. We've already reachedout to those who have so faithfully come tothe Island year after year on Weekend 1and they are getting highest priority in mov-ing to a new weekend next year. We arefully expecting the same number of atten-dees over 2 weekends in 2014 as areattending over 3 weekends this fall andthat's GOOD for everybody. Everyoneloves a full Ballroom. Makes the Partybrighter and even the performing artistsperform better when the room is full.

Tightening it down to 20 Stars of SmoothJazz over 2 consecutive weekends willalso strengthen the presentation and bystrengthening the festival's bottom line andquality should make the 2 weekend line-ups more powerful. Most importantly webelieve this consolidation will enable thisfestival to extend another 10 years.

Aren't too many festivals that last 27 years.The Great Recession easily could havebrought this one down too. It brought downothers. Even as we girded up tight andhung through the economic downturn, weare now adjusting even as everyone andall of you adjusted. I'm excited about thedecision and already booking the top talentfor October, 12 months from now and forJune's JazzTrax Summer Music Festival inBig Bear Lake in the SummertimeSouthern California Mountains.

The JazzTrax Smooth Jazz Era here hasalready exceeded the historic 25 year runfrom the 1930's to the mid 50's of the BigBands in this historic Ballroom. JazzTraxnow for over a Quarter Century has driventhis Island's Fall Economy. StretchingSummer's In Season well past the previ-ous Labor Day end of Summer. Keepingrestaurants, hotels, even Descanso Beachopen until the very last day of JazzTrax inlate October since 1987. 27th annual withplans now to make it to a 37th annual withnext year's consolidation, and then…..whoknows……..

Don't forget…..the JazzTrax Radio Show,since 1985….longest running smooth jazzsyndicated radio show in America

Producer’s Notes by Art Good JazzTrax.com

continued on page 2

1 27th Annual Catal ina Is land JazzTrax Festival • www.JazzTrax.com

STREAMS 24/7 on-line at JazzTrax.com.Hear a song you like, simply browser theshow backwards and listen to it again.

Don't forget…..New Releases Page atJazzTrax.com shows you everythingBrand New in Smooth Jazz throughout theyear and look back through all the Year'ssince 2000

Don't forget…..Pre Ticket Order Formsshould be postmarked by midnight October31st so Tix.com is all set to go on sale with2014 ticketting Thanksgiving Weekend

Don't forget…..'The Catalina IslandJazzTrax Festival Radio Special' begins toSTREAM at JazzTrax.com ThanksgivingWeekend….The Concerts recorded overOct's 3 JazzTrax Island Weekends

Don't forget…..Tickets ALSO go On-SaleThanksgiving Weekend for next June's(20-22) 9th annual Big Bear Lake JazzTraxSummer Music Festival. The Stars ofSmooth Jazz performing from a FloatingStage on a Mountain Lake in theSummertime Southern CaliforniaMountains.

Artist Line-Ups for both festivals begin tobe announced December & January withboth line-ups mostly fully announced byMarch. Full festival information alwaysavailable at www.JazzTrax.com. Be thefirst to know by receiving JazzTrax E BlastAlerts. Leave your e-mail address atJazzTrax.com Homepage Top Left. Leaveus a couple of smooth jazz loving friend'se-mail addresses too. Make it an Octoberparty with your very best friends.

Don't Forget……Moving a 3 weekendaudience next year into 2 OctoberWeekends means seats and especiallyTABLES will sell much faster, especiallyClub seating. 2 planes taking off instead of3 means we might be at total capacity bothweekends, or close. Think about makingyour ticket purchase and hotel arrange-ments much earlier for October 2014 onCatalina Island. Then Dream AboutIt…..All Year Long!

Now get ready for one of the most awe-some smooth jazz weekends of your life.The past 2 years Voted….. Best JazzFestival in All America! Art Good Creator/Producer/Hostof Everything JazzTrax

Producer’s Notes continued from page 1 JazzTrax.com

CATALINA ISLAND JAZZTRAX 2013 Person Ingredients CREDITSJazzTrax Creator & Producer, Art Good

Production Manager & Stage Director, Gregg Hudson

Ticket Manager, Cristina Gorka

Program & Website Graphic, Michael Massoud

Chief of Security, Jack Tolofogo

Ballroom Audio & Sound, U.S. Audio

Ballroom Lighting, Pacific Coast Entertainment

Festival Photographs, Pat Benter

Voted Best Jazz Festival in America 2 Consecutive Years 2011 & 2012 2

JESSE COOK guitarSat Evening Oct 5

Toronto based rhumba guitarist U.S. debut was here atCatalina Island JazzTrax 1995, mere weeks followinghis Sept CD debut. Total unknown and playing not onmain stage, but during intermissions in Marine Room Bar on the Mezzanine. Scheduled only for weekend 1,but creating such a stir. Stopping at his NaradaRecord label offices in Milwaukee, they turned himaround and sent him back to the Island for weekend 2.Widely considered one of the most influential figures in"Nouveau Flamenco." A Juno Award winner, AcousticGuitar Magazine's Player's Choice Award SilverWinner under Flamenco and a 3 time winner of theCanadian Smooth Jazz Award for Guitarist of the Year.Born 1964 in Paris to a filmmaker father and a televi-sion director mother.

MINDI ABAIR sax/vocalsDescanso Beach Thurs. Oct. 17

Only child of a musician couple she creates her uniquestyle and compositions from within her bungalowhouse in HOLLYWOOD a mere stroll from Lucy'sMexican Adobe which a decade ago gave her the hugeNo. l hit that launched her striking solo career, "Lucy's."Now with a long list of No. l's and exploding repertoirebut it's live on stage where she captures it all. Seen onsax backing contestants on American Idol and on tourwith Aerosmith and now elected President of the LAChapter of NARAS who put on the Grammy's. Newestrecording and touring and No. 1 hit all Summer, with'Dave Koz Summer Horns.'

DAVID BENOIT keysSat Afternoon Oct 5

Born in Bakersfield, but all of youth in the South Bay ofL.A. now long residing on Palos Verde Peninsula. 5Grammy nominations. Early in very full career servedas Music Director for Lainie Kazan, singer/actressesAnn-Margret and Connie Stevens. Has performed atthe White House for 3 Presidents: Clinton, Reaganand Bush, Sr. Even hosted morning program for jazzstation KKJZ in Long Beach. A recording career thatbegan in 1977 now over 25 solo projects. Everexpanding slate of orchestral music endeavorsincludes film scoring projects by Clint Eastwood andSally Field. With ongoing role as conductor of the AsiaAmerica Symphony Orchestra. Ambrosia lead singerDavid Pack a college mate and the 2 still doing tourdates together.


PHIL PERRY vocalsFri Evening Oct 18

So very long ago a founding member of the soul group(1971 - 1975) The Montclairs. Then moving toSouthern California where in the 1980's Lee Riteourpushed him onto the emerging contemporary jazzscene as Rit's primary on stage and in recording vocal-ist. Born 1952 in East St. Louis. Now with 9 soloreleases. Newest Spring 2013's 'Say Yes.' Has mostrecently recorded and toured with Najee. Sung byPhil, found on Najee's latest, 'Just to Fall in Love"earned the JazzTrax 2012 Best Smooth Jazz Vocal ofthe Year honor.

CRAIG CHAQUICO guitarDescanso Beach Thurs. Oct. 3

Raised in Sacramento but made his name as guitarist inthe mid 70's Bay Area Jefferson Starship. Paul Kantnerof Jefferson Airplane seeing him play as a 16 year old.Craig joined he and Grace Slick on their 1971'Sunfighter' duo album then joined entire band 'turnedStarship' in '74. Starship eventually earning 20 plat-inum and gold records. He is the only member toappear in every recording, album, tour and music videoover the course of the band's tenure. His guitar riffs andlong flowing brown hair so evident on "We Built ThisCity." Co-wrote 1981's "Find Your Way Back." Leavingthe band with the 90's to start a family. Simultaneouslyswitching to acoustic guitar to forge a solo career inNew Age and Smooth Jazz. A grammy nomination off1994 2nd solo CD 'Acoustic Planet.' Took himself inbluesy direction with last fall's 'Fire Red Moon.'

HIROSHIMA group featuring kotoSat Afternoon Oct 12

Formed 1974. Named for the Japanese city. Albumdebut came 1979. Band members, from East L.A.,but 3rd generation Japanese Americans. The band'sonly founding member, not American-born, JuneKuramoto moved from Tokyo area to L.A. as a child. Itis June's KOTO (noted by Stanley Clarke to be theworld's best) that most defines the band's uniquesound, along with the band's Taiko Drum. 2010Grammy nominated for 'Legacy.' After more than 30years in the recording industry continuing to blendjazz, pop and rock with traditional Japanese folk musicand instrumentation 3 decades since they first con-vened. Almost 4 million records sold.


LES NUBIANS vocalsSun Afternoon Oct 20

A sisters duo, Helene and Celia Faussart, born to aFrench father and Cameroonian mother in Parisbefore moving in 1985 to African country of Chad. 7years later returning to Bordeaux, France for theirteen-age years where they began singing a cappella,while producing poetry slams there and in Paris andsinging background vocals for various artists world-wide. A duo debut came in 1998 on 'Virgin RecordsFrance.' Best known for their hit single "Makeda" fromtheir Grammy nominated album "PrincessesNubiennes.' 1999 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards win-ners for Best New Artist, Group or Duo with 2 NAACPImage Award nominations in 2000.

1 1 27th Annual Catal ina Is land JazzTrax Festival • www.JazzTrax.com

SPENCER DAY vocalsSat Evening Oct 12

Born 1978 small town in Utah. Modern jazz singer made solo debut 2004. Parents sepa-rated then raised by grandparents in Arizona. Working in a gas station before moving toCalifornia to seek out singer's career. Self taught while singing and playing jazz standardson piano at bars and retirement homes! 1st appeared on CBS TV's 'Star Search' 2002-2003. Landed with distinguished Concord Jazz in '09. Staying for 47 weeks on Billboard'sJazz Album Chart with first hit single, "Till You Come Back to Me," which peaked at No. 3.Describes his style as "Chet Baker meets Paul Simon." Having grown up Mormon buthaving "come out" to his family as gay he hopes to be a part of building a bridge betweenthe LGBT community and Mormon community.

CINDY BRADLEY trumpet/flugelhorn/flumpetSun Afternoon Oct 13

From North Tonawanda, near Buffalo in upstate New York. Major label debut came with'Bloom.' Named JazzTrax 2009 Debut Artist of the Year with major stage debut here onCatalina Island that Fall. 2011 Release 'Unscripted,' brought first No. 1 radio hit, "MasssiveTransit." Stayed Top of Charts 6 weeks. Album topped the Billboard Jazz Album Chart for2 weeks. Never left day job as a public elementary school band teacher across the HudsonRiver from NYC, in New Jersey.

STEVE COLE saxSun Afternoon Oct 6

Chicago native and Cubs lover but these days found mostly in Minneapolis in his profes-sorial capacity. Professor Cole is a clinical professor at The University of St. Thomas inSt. Paul, Minnesota following his previous teaching of Music Business at ColumbiaCollege in Chicago. Solo debut in 1998. Named Prism Award Best New Artist in 2000.Founding member in 2004 of 'The Sax Pack' the All Star Saxman Trio founded by JeffKashiwa. Arriving on Island with Sept's brand new 'Pulse.' Has recorded with likes ofBuddy Guy, Boz Scaggs, City of Prague Orchestra and The Chicago SymphonyOrchestra.

FOUR 80 EAST groupSat Afternoon Oct 12

What began as a side studio project by Tony Grace (drums/percussion) and Rob DeBoer(keys/bass/guitar) in their Toronto, Canada studio and named for the address of their officestreet….480 East. They had been producing music for other musical formats and club musicwhen they put together their first electro jazz on their own Boomtang Records label. Callingtheir 1997 debut 'The Album.' 2nd in 2001 contained haunting song "Last Flight to L.A." stilltheir signature JazzTrax song. Art Good talked them out of studio and into their very first liveperformance anywhere for the 2002 Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival. At first simply "a stu-dio concept." Now fully evolved to a live in concert touring act.

JAZZ IN PINK groupSat Afternoon Oct 19

An All Star Jazz Band completely LADIES. Projecting talent, beauty, power and feminin-ity as together they embrace the stage. Led by music director/keyboardist "Philly the Kid"Gail Jhonson, raised in Philadelphia. Making her solo debut in 2004 she continues asmusic director, keyboardist and vocalist for Norman Brown. Pink's dynamism rises sub-stantially with the violin of Karen Briggs, seen by millions in her fiery performances on themulti-platinum selling 'Yanni: Live at the Acropolis PBS Special.' Pink's harpist, MarieaAntoinette. known for her stunning performances as principal Harpist for the Los AngelesSoutheast Symphony Orchestra. Her solo debut in 2002. Also Kim Scott on flute.


SELINA ALBRIGHT vocalsSat Evening Oct 5 AND Sat Evening Oct 19

Daughter and oldest sibling of famed saxophonist Gerald Albright. Spotted on back-upvocals on Smooth Jazz Caribbean Cruises then vocals for Brian Culbertson's band. OwnDebut Project 'Brighter' reaching #1 on the UK Soul Chart only 3 months after it's releasepast April. Singing at age 2. A professional music career at age 14 when featured onDad's albums, 1997, 2009, 2010 before contributing her songwriting for the title track of2012's Grammy nominated Gerald Albright/Norman Brown collaboration '24/7.' BasedDenver area where folks and family left L.A. for a decade ago.

JEANETTE HARRIS saxSun Afternoon Oct 6

Classically trained in piano and saxophone in hometown of Fresno, CA by her church organ-ist father. One day driving to 4th grade Mom was playing a CASSETTE of GroverWashington Jr. which turned her. After Berklee School of Music in Boston returning toFresno. Noticed by Teena Marie's trumpet player, who asked for her business card at the2010 NAMM Show in Anaheim. Hired by Marie unheard/unseen to play first a date inLondon. Having to pull off the freeway when Teena called personally to get her passportinformation for the date. Getting just 4 hours of sleep studying Teena's music before drivingto L.A. for the audition. She was saxtress for the late Teena Marie's final year of touring.

VINCENT INGALA saxFri Evening Oct 4

Age 17 in 2011 showing up at the infamous 'Lemonade Weekend' in San Diego when theOasis Awards Show fell financially apart at the last second, but a large enough contingentof Smooth Jazz lovers having already booked their weekend stay. This teenager took com-mand of the stage at Anthology night club. Later jamming with Peter White there at theHard Rock Cafe. Gaining enough attention that Dave Koz invited him on his AlaskanCruise. He's just now coming off Koz Mediterranean Cruise. His radio breakthrough com-ing with summer 2012's, 'Can't Stop Now.' The past year a member of Sax AND the Citywhile still living at home in Prospect, Connecticut, (about 14 miles from last December'sNewtown tragedy.) Just now having barely entered his 20's.

JONATHAN FRITZEN keysSat Afternoon Oct 19

1982 born in Stockholm, Sweden to a Swedish mother and American father. First a drummer,then bass, guitar, flute, even vocals…finally piano. A masters degree from the Royal SwedishAcademy of Music. First solo album 2008. 3rd in 2010 'Diamonds' gave first huge hit. "DanceWith Me" spending 10 weeks at No. l on the Billboard Indicator Smooth Jazz Chart. 2nd sin-gle "Undercover" making it to No. 2. A single never released on an album "Friday Night" scoredhis first No. 1 song just as he was arriving on this Island. Named JazzTrax 2011 Debut Artistof the Year. 2012's "Magical" featuring Boney James gave him another huge radio hit whilestriking gold on JazzTrax Top 10 Songs of Year with horribly haunting "Nordic Night."

NICHOLAS COLE keysSun Afternoon Oct 20

One of our genre's new Young Lions, part of the future of modern jazz. Produced by musi-cian dad. 1st self recorded album gaining first JazzTrax national airplay, recorded inhome studio at age 17. Signed to a major label deal at age 18. Landing on the JazzTraxFestival Summer and Fall stages at age 19 last year. While still living at home with folksin Goldsboro, North Carolina. His musical home base Mt. Zion Church Ministries. Hisdream of Berklee School of Music in Boston was still awaiting his graduation from highschool whiles he'd already hit the national stage.


ELAN TROTMAN saxSun Afternoon Oct 13 AND Fri Evening Oct 18

Born and raised on the Caribbean island of Barbados. 6th album released Spring of 2013proudly showcasing his Caribbean heritage, titled 'Tropicality.' Saying "we islanders arehappy people by nature, evident by the way our music grooves. CD co-produced by gui-tarist Peter White. Living since Berklee School of Music days in Boston, a college schol-arship awarded him by the Barbados government, and a huge sports fan. He put togeth-er the band that performed for Celtics/Heat star Ray Allen's wedding and performs annu-ally for Red Sox GM Theo Epstein's charity event 'Hot Stove Cool Music.' Also the past10 years serving as a teacher in the Boston public school system.

PEET PROJECT group led by violinFri Evening Oct 11

Living in Budapest, Hungary declared a "hidden gem" when making their U.S. debut at April'srenowned Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Florida. Having released a 3rd project, 'Overseas,'this Summer. Young European smooth jazz band the brainchild of violinist/vocalist Peter"Peet" Ferencz, keyboardist Adam Lorincz and saxman Peter Herold. Jazz-infused pop andfunk with a European touch. JazzTrax marks their West Coast debut and 2nd time toAmerica.

JULIAN VAUGHN bassSun Evening Oct 6

Standing perhaps Tallest of anyone in all Smooth Jazzdom at 6' 7" and playing his basslike his mentor, the late great Wayman Tisdale, while still residing in his hometown ofKansas City. Debutted in 2010 following with his first major label release in 2012. Born1980 and a self taught bass player learning in the K.C. church his grandfather pastored.Playing basketball on his high school team while his teammates headphones filled withRap, Julian's filled with smooth jazz, quite often the "Tokyo Blue" album by Najee. 2012ended with his first big radio hit, "Breakthrough," finishing the year at #8 on Billboard's yearend top records of the year chart.

MILES MOSLEY bassSun Evening Oct 20

Claims to have picked up the Upright Bass as it was the only instrument at his school he did-n't have to bring home with him. His style sometimes described as "brothel jazz." Describes itas if Jimi Hendrix played upright bass in Prince's band. From Hollywood, has worked forCreative Counseling Network, a non-profit organization that provides access to the arts forunder-served young people. His Double Bass is what'll grab ya. Named after Miles Davis.

ROMAN STREET smooth flamenco groupSat Afternoon Oct 5 AND Sun Evening Oct 13

This trio was born and raised out of Mobile, Alabama with their style of "new"flamenco, smooth and not-so-smooth jazz with their own brand of fusion stylemusic to a youthful and spontaneous approach to musical expression from theSouth and Coastal Alabama. Newest CD this Summer is 'Caravan.' RomanStreet was added to this October's line-up in August to replace HawaiaanUkulele player Brittni Paiva who had to cancel due to medical reasons.


Luau Larry’sWhere the Bar Meets the Bay!

Friday & Sat. NightsLIVE MUSIC

Breakfast BuffetAll you can eat - 8am - 12pm

Saturday & Sunday

view & read the 2013 catalina island jazztarx festival program

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