9 minute read
Brian Culbertson’s 7th Annual Napa Valley Jazz Getaway
from May 2018
Napa, California • June 6-10
“Wine Down” at Brian Culbertson’s 2017 Napa Valley Jazz Getaway Brian Culbertson playing keyboards backward at Oxbow Commons Park, the new weekend venue for the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway
By Melanie Maxwell
Napa is known for award-winning wine made from grapes grown on nearby vines.
Celebrity chefs, who pluck fresh produce and herbs from local gardens to craft unique culinary creations to serve at their Michelin Star-rated restaurants, are also an attraction. And, when Brian Culbertson comes to the heart of Northern California’s Wine Country for his annual Napa Valley Jazz Getaway each June, he curates a musical lineup to accompany a boutique festival experience unlike any other to pair it all with. Culbertson, an admitted perfectionist, demands excellence in all he does. From the music he composes and the CDs he records to the stage shows he choreographs, everything must be timed and executed flawlessly. Just like his latest “Colors of Love” tour––with impressive lighting, a carefully crafted succession of song choices and a few surprises––the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway has his fingerprints meticulously embedded in each detail as though they were pressed against the keys of his Roland grand piano during an encore. “I just want everyone to have a good time,” said Culbertson during a recent phone interview. “I am also big on customer service and communication with the fans. If people feel they are being heard and taken care of, then everyone has a great time. I hate when large events don’t communicate well.” Culbertson and his team truly listen to the feedback they receive from their patrons, and they make adjustments as needed. When traffic congestion, transportation and parking issues become less than ideal to accommodate the growing crowds at Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, the main weekend festival venue, they found a solution. Last year, they moved it to the newly developed Oxbow Commons Park, mere steps from The Westin Verasa Napa, the host hotel. “The fans loved the change,” said Culbertson. “It’s by far way more convenient for everyone since many of the fans staying in downtown Napa can simply walk over.” Another improvement this year will be the addition of much larger video screens at Oxbow Commons Park. “We’ll be ‘flying’ them up high so the views will be better,” the 45-year-old Illinois native explained. He added, “There will not be a second stage this year, as it proved to be too far of a walk within the 30-minute main stage intermissions. Other than that, the format of the week remains the same.” That “format” starts with the Welcome Dinner & Jam Session featuring Culbertson, Marcus Anderson, Adam Hawley and Cecil Ramirez at The Westin Verasa’s Solera Courtyard on Wednesday, June 6.
In the same outdoor space, Culbertson hosts “Wine Downs” that feature wine tasting from a variety of local vineyards and live musical performances, which are held on Thursday and Friday afternoons for 800 Platinum and Gold access cardholders. On those evenings, the shows move indoors and down the road to the 1,200-seat Lincoln Theater in the neighboring town of Yountville. Culbertson’s “Colors of Love” concert and a solo acoustic performance by South African guitarist-vocalist Jonathan Butler are scheduled for Thursday night. On Friday, a wine reception and silent auction benefiting The GRAMMY Foundation will be held prior to comedian Sinbad and the Al McKay All-Stars (performing the music of Earth, Wind & Fire) taking the stage. Thursday through Sunday, After-Parties are happening at The Westin with a cigar lounge and DJs spinning dance music. Entrance to these private parties is reserved for Platinum and Gold cardholders on Thursday and Friday; and Platinum, Gold and Silver level patrons on Saturday and Sunday. The five-day Diamond VIP and Platinum Packages (which also include the Welcome Dinner, wine reception and silent auction, private parties, wine tasting, choice seating at the four main concert events, shuttle service to the various venues and activities, local discounts and more) always sellout early. However, as of press time, some Gold and Silver packages––which also include preferred concert seating, “Wine Downs” and After-Parties––and general admission tickets for the weekend festival, as well as Lincoln Theater shows, were available. Exclusivity of the weekday events for Platinum and Gold ticket holders turns inclusive for the weekend festival at Oxbow Commons Park, where there is abundant seating. The grassy grounds are spread out from the banks of the Napa River to the Wine Train, and between The Westin Verasa and Oxbow Public Market, a 40,000-square-foot marketplace featuring a diverse mixture of local food vendors, artisan cafes, organic produce, bakeries and gifts.
Although there will be a variety of onsite food trucks, wine stations and beverage booths on the festival grounds, patrons can also visit the marketplace throughout the day. Most fans, however, won’t want to be away from the music when there’s a band onstage, but they can explore the marketplace during intermissions. Music is still the catalyst for which all of the other fun revolves around. While Culbertson Brian Culbertson performing during his 2017 works year-round with a five-person team Welcome Dinner & Jam Session and countless other festival workers to plan this event, all of the decisions for the lineup are exclusively his. When booking the acts, he dons both his “artist” and “producer” hats. “Of course, we are conscious about who will sell tickets, but for me it’s more than that,” the multi-instrumentalist explained. “Bottom line, I look for great entertainers who I’ve worked with before and who will be fun to hang out with while in Napa!” Now in its seventh year, the Getaway––which, for the inaugural event in February 2012, sold-out the 450 tickets for two nights of concerts at the Napa Valley Opera House (nearly the number of attendees at this year’s Welcome Dinner & Jam Session)––boasts five days of
Brian Culbertson toasting Platinum VIP patrons during a private performance at a winery during his Napa Valley Jazz Getaway Photo: Chyna Photography
continued from page 11 concerts, wine tasting and culinary adventures for more than 4,000 jazz enthusiasts per day at the weekend venue alone. The success of this signature event is quite exciting for Culbertson, especially because the location has special meaning for him. He and his wife, Michelle, celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in Napa after she returned from a trip to Tuscany, where she immersed herself in the wine culture. That experience evolved into a shared passion for the couple. “The Napa lifestyle is something that I’ve just fallen in love with, and I want to share that with all of my fans,” said Culbertson. “Most people tell me how personal they feel the event is. They can tell that my stamp is definitely on every detail as much as possible. I equate this event with throwing a giant party with great music, food, wine, scenery and people. “If you’ve never been to Napa Valley, I can’t say enough great things about the area. It’s just so beautiful, coupled with some of the best restaurants and wine in the world. And when you add great music on top of all that, it’s the perfect pairing,” Culbertson concluded.
WHEN
June 6-10
WHERE
The Westin Verasa Napa, 1314 McKinstry St., and Oxbow Commons Park, 1268 McKinstry St., Napa, California; Lincoln Theater, 100 California Dr., Yountville, California
GETTING THERE
Flights are available into the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa (STS), Oakland International Airport (OAK), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Distance to the venue is approximately 50 miles from STS, 51 miles from OAK, 57 miles from SFO and 64 miles from SMF.
STAYING THERE
The host hotel, The Westin Verasa, is sold out. Visit www.jazzgetaway.com/ hotels for other accommodation options.
PARKING
Valet parking at The Westin is available to hotel guests only, and is included in the daily hotel resort fee. Prepaid valet parking passes for the Lincoln Theater concerts, or self-parking on the day of the show, can be purchased. Several parking options are available for the weekend festival venue, including paid offsite lot and shuttle service at the Napa Valley College, 2277 Napa Vallejo Hwy. in Napa, which can be purchased on the festival website, where information on additional parking options is available. Visit www.jazzgetaway.com/parking for details and additional options.
TICKETS AND INFORMATION
www.jazzgetaway.com
LINEUP:
Wednesday, June 6
The Westin Verasa, Solera Courtyard
Welcome Dinner & Jam Session hosted by Brian Culbertson, featuring Cecil Ramirez, Marcus Anderson, Adam Hawley and more ....... 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 7
The Westin Verasa, Solera Courtyard (for Platinum and Gold Access card holders)
“Wine Down” featuring complimentary wine tasting and performances by Marcus Anderson and Adam Hawley .................................... 2 p.m.
Lincoln Theater
“Colors of Love” featuring Brian Culbertson, plus solo acoustic performance by Jonathan Butler ........................................... 7:30 p.m.
The Westin Verasa (for Platinum and Gold Access card holders)
After-Party featuring DJs The World Famous Rick & Russ Show with CJ Flash and a Cigar Party hosted by Cecil Ramirez ............ 10:30 p.m.
Friday, June 8
The Westin Verasa, Solera Courtyard (for Platinum and Gold Access card holders)
“Wine Down” featuring complimentary wine tasting and performances by artists TBA ............................................................................ 2 p.m.
Lincoln Theater
Wine reception and silent auction benefiting The GRAMMY Foundation ....................................................... 6 p.m. “Friday Night Funk Night” featuring comedian Sinbad, plus the Al McKay All-Stars performing the music of Earth, Wind & Fire .................. 7:30 p.m.
The Westin Verasa (for Platinum and Gold Access card holders)
After-Party featuring DJs The World Famous Rick & Russ Show with CJ Flash, and Cigar Party hosted by Cecil Ramirez ...... 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 9 (gates open at 11 a.m.)
Oxbow Commons Park
Avery*Sunshine ......................................................................... 1 p.m. Peter White........................................................................... 2:30 p.m. Brian Culbertson with Faith Evans ............................................. 4 p.m. The Commodores ................................................................. 5:45 p.m. DJs The World Famous Rick & Russ Show with CJ Flash between all sets
The Westin Verasa (for Platinum, Gold and Silver Access card holders)
After-Party featuring DJs The World Famous Rick & Russ Show with CJ Flash and Cigar Party .................................................... 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 10 (gates open at 11 a.m.)
Oxbow Commons Park
Nick Colionne with Eric Darius ................................................ 1 p.m. Kirk Whalum ....................................................................... 2:30 p.m. Norman Brown and Bobby Caldwell ........................................ 4 p.m. Brian Culbertson with Lindsey Webster ................................ 5:45 p.m. DJs The World Famous Rick & Russ Show with CJ Flash between all sets
The Westin Verasa (for Platinum, Gold and Silver Access card holders)
Farewell After-Party featuring DJs The World Famous Rick & Russ Show with CJ Flash................................................ 8 p.m.
