Mindi Abair Takes fans on Wine + Music adventures through Tuscany and Sonoma while maintaining a bustling tour schedule with a stop at Catalina Island CATALINA ISLAND VISITORS GUIDE A world of delights await on California’s enchanted isle RANDAL CLARK Teacher, sax specialist and new recording artist debuts at the Catalina Casino Ballroom stage with Jeff Lorber and an all-star band CREATIVITY STRIKES DURING THE PANDEMIC BenterPatPhoto: 34TH CATALINA ISLAND JAZZTRAX FESTIVAL 24 smooth jazz acts perform over two weekends in October
JONATHAN BUTLER RICHARD RICK BRAUN REBECCA JADE i n t r o d u c i n g A N e w D a y & T h e G o l d e n H o u r D A V E K O Z & F R I E N D DS A V E K O Z & F R I E N D S DAVEKOZ.COM D a v e K o z C r u i s e . c o m H o p e t o s e e y o u o n a f u t u r e D K c r u i s e ! N e w M u s i c B y D a v e K o z
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6 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS Publisher and Managing Editor Melanie Maxwell Operations & Distribution Manager Craig Collier Copy Editors JoAnn Armke PaulaBarbaraFitzgeraldKnoxBradSondak Contributor Ken Capobianco Contributing Photographers Graphic Designer Stephani Rosenstein Smooth Jazz News 5519 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., #134 San Diego, CA www.smoothjazznews.comsmoothjazznews@aol.com858-541-191992117 As we ease back into post-pandemic life, we will publish two quarterly issues of Smooth Jazz News in 2021: JulyAugust-September and October-November-December. In 2022, we plan to publish five bimonthly issues: MarchApril, May-June, July-August, September-October and November-December. The publisher assumes no responsibility for claims or actions of its advertisers. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher, staff or advertisers. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. ©2021, Smooth Jazz News | All rights reserved Smooth-Jazz @SmoothJazzNewsNews/123513291125001 CONTENTS It’s not too early for holiday shopping. Check out our annual Holiday Gift Guide on page 33. 8 Notes from the Publisher An ending and then a beginning on Catalina Island 10 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival Art Good transforms Avalon into a smooth jazz haven with two scenic venues and 24 artists performing over two weekends 12 FREE-CD offer to Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival attendees Receive a FREE CD when you renew or subscribe to Smooth Jazz News at the 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival 13 Catalina Island Visitors Guide Insider tips for Avalon visitors 16 Randal Clark From the classroom to the majors: The saxophonist makes his mainstage debut at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival 19 DISCover New Music The latest releases for your smooth jazz lifestyle 20 Mindi Abair The popular saxophonist creates ReserveTastings.com with her wine expert husband, and offers fans luxury, curated wine and music adventures globally 24 Calendar of smooth jazz events Concerts, festivals and brunches nationwide and beyond 33 Holiday Gift Guide Find the perfect presents for your friends and family 34 Jazz Buzz Yay! Holiday performances are back! Catch the Peter White and Dave Koz Christmas tours nationwide, and ring in the new year with Rick Braun in Tucson, Arizona 36 Smooth Jazz News merchandise Cool concert apparel: new hoodies, plus hats, fleece jackets, golf shirts, T-shirts and tank tops 37 Smooth Jazz News home delivery Subscribe today! NOTICE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving government and health officials’ mandates, all events, lineups, venues, dates and show times contained in editorial and/or advertisements within this magazine are subject to change without notice. Smooth Jazz News assumes no responsibility for any cancellations or changes or the accuracy of any concert, cruise, brunch or festival information contained in this publication in advertisements and/or editorial, which has been provided by outside sources. Please contact each venue and/or promoter directly to confirm all information. Cover photo of Mindi Abair by Greg Allen Pat Benter Chyna DescribeLoriPhotographyClarkTheFaunaAnthonyDixonRachelGreenEricGuerraCooperHardwick David Hopley Raj Naik Noble AricBobbyPhotographyAmbienceColinPeckQuillardAaronRiceLoriStollThompson
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 7 PETERCHRISTMASWHITE DECEMBER 19 SUBJECT TO CHANGE. RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY. MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE TO ENTER THE CONCERT. PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT SYCUAN.COM
Grey Boy with the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book in which he is featured
pausing print publication in March 2020, I spent the beginning of lockdown trying to figure out how to keep Smooth Jazz News afloat. During those 17 months, and only producing three digital-only editions, the uncertainty of COVID-19 and the effects it would have on my normal life and work eventually sunk in. That’s when I finally hopped off the futile hamster wheel of struggling to maintain my business and surrendered to an alternative way to be productive.
Two decades later, the global pandemic shuttered the smooth jazz industry, including my magazine. With no events to write about, and nothing for our clients to advertise, we had no revenue to afford the expense of printing and distributing a magazine. So, I decided to revive my freelance gig.
The silver lining of the pandemic was that creative people became more so. Many of our favorite artists immersed themselves in prolific songwriting, some collaborating with other musicians. The result is a glorious flood of great newAftermusic.temporarily
Several decades ago when I was planning my departure from the corporate world to pursue a writing career, I was constantly advised to “write what you’re passionate about.” So, I wrote about smooth jazz. After a few submissions, I got my first piece published. It was a feature about the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival. This was followed by ongoing assignments for local publications and, in 1999, my launch of Smooth Jazz News.
8 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS
I was so honored that my story—one of thousands submitted—would be featured in a book series that evolved from the original “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” a book that sparked the inspiration for so many changes I made in my life, including leaving the corporate world to pursue writing. Last month, I received copies of the book, which is on sale now at most bookstores and online retailers, such as Warwick’s in La Jolla, California Asbook/9781611590791)(www.warwicks.com/andAmazon.com.anaddedbonus,theChickenSoupfor the Soul organization is donating royalties from this book and its companion book, “Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Hilarious, Heroic, Human Dog,” to American Humane. This is part of the company’s widespread support for animal shelters and pet adoption, which includes the donation of their brand of pet food to shelters nationwide. As I celebrate accomplishment,thisI’ll be heading back to Avalon, California, for the 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival in October. It was the last festival I attended pre-pandemic, and, two years later, it will be my first one since. Now that vaccinations for COVID-19 are increasing, especially within our older demographic, and venues are implementing mask and vaccine requirements, I feel safe attending indoor events. This allows me to indulge my main passion of smooth jazz in a magical setting.
And, I can’t wait to hear our favorite artists perform some of their latest compositions when they hit the Catalina Casino Ballroom stage this fall, as well as those on the Dave Koz and Peter White Christmas tours this winter.
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 9
I enrolled in classes to learn various styles of the craft: everything from copywriting and travel writing to op-eds and personal essays. Soon, I was pitching articles about smooth jazz to The New York Times, AARP The Magazine, Business Insider, Huffington Post, The Washington Post and Conde Nast Traveler. Those pitches were either rejected or the editor ghosted me. Then, I began writing practice essays about my other passion: cats. And, as fate would have it, I saw a call for pitches from Chicken Soup for the Soul for their upcoming cat book. I immediately fine-tuned two stories I had in the works about my rescue cats, Lily and Grey Boy, and submitted them. On April 12, 2021, I received an email from the assistant publisher. She said, in part: “Your [Grey Boy] story has made it to the first phase of our selection round for ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Clever, Curious, Caring Cat.’ Only a small percent of the submitted stories have made it this far. Congratulations on being in the final round!” It was accompanied by a contract and the following statement: “Filling out the permission form does not guarantee that your story will appear in the book. However, we do need your signed form in order to consider your story. A majority of stories in this round will appear in the book, but we do not make the final decisions until about a month before the publicationIronically,date.”Ireceived her second email on June 30, the day we resumed publication of the print edition of Smooth Jazz News. She confirmed that my Grey Boy story would be included in the book, and that it was on the way to the printer. She also explained, “Your 10 complimentary copies of the book will arrive a few weeks prior to the on-sale date and you will receive your payment approximately one month after the on-sale date.”
I WAS SO HONORED THAT MY STORY— ONE OF THOUSANDS SUBMITTED— WOULD BE FEATURED IN A BOOK SERIES THAT EVOLVED FROM THE ORIGINAL “CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL,” A BOOK THAT SPARKED THE INSPIRATION FOR SO MANY CHANGES I MADE IN MY LIFE.
By Melanie Maxwell
E
In the Ballroom, high atop the iconic Catalina Casino, under 50-foot ceilings with five Tiffanyinspired chandeliers, a roster of up-and-coming artists, festival favorites and genre stars perform
Photo: Pat
Friday through Sunday. The circular Ballroom is adorned in a lavish medley of rose-hued walls, gold and silver leaf accents and art deco reliefs.
10 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS
The festivities start on Thursday at sunset with “Unplugged Under the Stars” at Descanso Beach. Patrons can sink into the sand on chaise lounges and chairs, or cozy up in private cabanas while two sets of artists perform on an intimate stage next to the splashing tide. The wildlife seem to enjoy the music, too, as deer often traipse through the audience against the backdrop of the illuminated Catalina Casino building, the main concert venue, which is just a short walk along the Pacific Ocean shoreline.
ach October, 26 miles off the California coastline, the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival offers two, four-day weekends of smooth jazz.
Oct. 14-17 and Oct. 21-24
Plus, there is a Saturday night after-party on the beach with a DJ spinning dance tunes.
French doors connect the Ballroom to the encircling veranda. The veranda offers sweeping, 360-degree views of Avalon Bay from the 11-story-high building.
Food, wine and cocktails are available for purchase at the vintage full-service bar, which was restored to its original 1929 condition.
The mezzanine level, directly below, has restrooms and the JazzTrax store for purchasing CDs and festival merchandise, along with an artist-signing section. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging, artist meet-and-greets and CD-signings have not been confirmed as of press time. This year, to help protect all patrons from the spread of COVID-19, festival producer Art Good is complying with local health and safety standards and mandates. All staff and attendees are required to be fully vaccinated and to present verifiable proof of vaccination. Good has also removed two rows of seating in the middle and back Ballroom to ensure that chairs won’t be touching.
Conveniently, everything is within walking distance in Avalon. There are no rental cars in the island’s 1-square-mile city, but transportation is not a problem. Taxis, bikes and golf carts, and “The Garibaldi,” the city’s public transit bus, can get visitors just about anywhere. The only “rush-hour” are the lines to the best restaurants, typically between festival sessions, or when a stream of festivalgoers stroll along the bay on Casino Way to the Catalina Casino—which is not a gaming facility, but means “gathering place” in Italian.
Benter
For many who have been locked up for months due to the pandemic, these health and safety protocols have given them a green light to get out and enjoy the smooth jazz life we all love. And, what better place to do so than in an enchanting island setting like the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival in the fall?
View of Avalon Bay from Casino Ballroom veranda Unplugged Under the Stars at Descanso Beach during the 2017 Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival
Catalina Casino Ballroom during the 2019 Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 11 When Oct. 14-17 and Oct. 21-24 Where Friday-Sunday performances are held in the Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California. Thursday night “Unplugged Under the Stars” concerts and the Saturday evening after-parties happen at Descanso Beach. Getting there Catalina Express offers 30 daily departures from ports in Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, California. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, special afterperformance boat departures are available from Avalon back to Long Beach. www.CatalinaExpress.com • 800-995-4386 Staying there Hotel Catalina and Catalina Courtyard Suites are both located steps from the bay, AAA-approved, and offer special “JazzTrax” packages. Reserve three nights (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and get Thursday or Monday night free (based on availability). Guests also receive a 10 percent discount at Antonio’s Pizzeria & Cabaret and Original Jack’s Country Kitchen. www.hotelcatalina.com • https://catalinacourtyardsuites.com/800-540-0184•855-891-3400 Tickets and Information www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849 BenterPatPhoto:BenterPatPhoto:BenterPatPhoto: continued on page 12
12 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS PICK 1f r e e BIG DEAL FROM SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS PICK 1f r e e BIG DEAL FROM SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS when you renew or subscribe to Smooth Jazz News at our booth during the Choose one from this group of CDs Receive one CD FREE* (while supplies last) *This free-CD offer is a special promotion only available at the 2021 Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, while supplies last, and CD selection is subject to change without notice. This offer is not available when ordering by phone, mail or online. CDs are provided compliments of record labels and artists. Going to the 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival? 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival Oct. 15-17 and Oct. 22-24 Catalina Casino Ballroom Avalon, California • www.jazztrax.com CD compliments of Artistry Music CD compliments of GRP/ Verve Records CD compliments of Concord Music Group BenterPatPhoto: THURSDAY, OCT. 14 Unplugged Under the Stars at Descanso Beach featuring Mindi Abair, with Lisa Addeo as the opening act................................................................6 p.m. FRIDAY, OCT. 15 Nicholas Cole ............................................................7 p.m. Tom Scott & The L.A. Express 9 p.m. SATURDAY, OCT. 16 Steve Oliver noon Gerald Albright 2 p.m. Gregg Karukas 7 p.m. Jeffrey Osborne .........................................................9 p.m. After-Party at Descanso Beach featuring DJ LexaKhan 10:30 p.m. SUNDAY, OCT. 17 Kim Scott noon Spyro Gyra 2 p.m. Roman Street ............................................................7 p.m. Rick Braun .................................................................9 p.m. THURSDAY, OCT. 21 Unplugged Under the Stars at Descanso Beach featuring Mindi Abair, with Evan Marks as the opening act................................................................6 p.m. FRIDAY, OCT. 22 Four80East ................................................................7 p.m. Sax to the Max starring Paul Taylor, Michael Lington and Vincent Ingala......................................................... 9 p.m. SATURDAY, OCT. 23 Mariea Antoinette ............................................................. noon Kim Waters and Kayla Waters ....................................... 2 p.m. Randal Clark ................................................................... 7 p.m. Larry Carlton 9 p.m. After-Party at Descanso Beach featuring DJ LexaKhan 10:30 p.m. SUNDAY, OCT. 24 Carol Albert noon Najee 2 p.m. Adam Hawley 7 p.m. Peter White and Euge Groove ....................................... 9 p.m. Lineup continued from page 11
By Melanie Maxwell
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 13
The Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival has inspired many first-timers to visit Avalon. The 26-mile voyage from Long Beach, California, to the island offers festivalgoers their first round of excitement. Schools of dolphin often accompany the Catalina Express’ high-speed catamarans across the Pacific Ocean. And, fans can sometimes mingle with artists and band members along the hourlong boat ride. Once on the island, a plethora of shopping, dining, sightseeing, spa treatments and other activities await. In addition to the live musical performances, visitors can explore enticing adventures, from zip lining and jet skiing to parasailing and undersea excursions.
Catalina Island VISITORS GUIDE
Please use this guide, which continues on the next two pages, for tips on what to see, where to eat, shop and rejuvenate, adding to the enjoyment of your JazzTrax itinerary.
BenterPatPhoto: continued on page 14
• 310-510-0008 Located next to Original Jack’s, Avalon Bake Shop serves up hot breakfast sandwiches to go, donuts, Danish pastries, cinnamon rolls, muffins, brownies, cookies, croissants, bolillos, strudel, bagels and their specialty Hot French Beignets. Fresh Kona coffee, tea and assorted beverages are available. Opens at 6:30 a.m. daily. 122 Catalina Ave. • www.catalinahotspots.com • 310-510-1199 Mrs. T’s Chinese Kitchen offers fast food Mandarinstyle selections of all your favorites with daily rotating items. One- and two-item combos and bowl specials are available as well as soup, egg rolls, fried shrimp and wontons. To-go orders only; with limited outdoor seating available. Located next to Original Jack’s Country Kitchen. 122 Catalina Ave.
14 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS
DINING Antonio’s Pizzeria & Cabaret has been an island tradition for 32 years. Antonio’s offers a casual, fun atmosphere serving breakfast (seasonal), lunch and dinner with indoor dining and patio seating on the bay. Traditional Italian dishes, steaks, seafood, grilled chicken breasts, hot and cold sub sandwiches, burgers made with premium certified Black Angus beef, soups, salads, calzones and a large selection of pizzas make Antonio’s a local favorite. Enjoy one of their house specialties that includes Mamma Mia’s day-old spaghetti, which is a local favorite. 230 Crescent Ave.
Where island life meets creativity and vision. Located in the heart of Avalon, Catalina Museum for Art & History offers the best in art and history exhibitions, music and dance performances, lectures by guest speakers from all over the world and the finest in silent and documentary film. 217 Metropole Ave. • www.catalinamuseum.org • 310-510-2414
• www.catalinahotspots.com
ART AND HISTORY
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• www.catalinahotspots.com
Looking for a cute outfit or accessories to spice up your wardrobe? The Stare Case is the unofficial jazz-ensemble headquarters. Shop owner Mona Casarini is an icon of the Catalina Island shopping experience. She offers a wide variety of clothing and jewelry, including elegant eveningwear, stylish after-five dresses, casual wear, bathing suits, thongs, Spanx Shapewear. A 10 percent discount is extended to JazzTrax attendees.
PAMPERING
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SHOPPING
The best breakfast place on the island, according to Smooth Jazz News , is Original Jack’s Country Kitchen This Catalina-themed diner offers extensive breakfast and lunch menus as well as desserts. Enjoy fresh fruit crepes, chicken and waffles, homemade soups and chili, burgers, sandwiches, salads, hot-plate meals and more. Their meals are made with the finest ingredients such as eggs from cage-free hens, Jidori free-range chicken, Niman Ranch beef and pork. Their baked goods are crafted daily at their adjoining bakery.
• Advertisement310-510-1633
205 Crescent Ave. in the Metropole Market Place www.hotel-metropole.com/day-spa/massage-services•
105 Metropole Ave. in the Metropole Market Place 310-510-1940
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A Touch of Heaven Day Spa offers relaxing, therapeutic massage treatments and reflexology. The serene, full-service spa situated in the Metropole Market Place also provides foot scrubs, peppermint scalp treatments, mud wraps and an aromatherapy body polish. And, be sure to ask about the 10 percent JazzTrax discount.
•
• 310-510-1308
Original Jack’s Country Kitchen is just a few doors up from the Green Pleasure Pier. Catalina Ave. www.catalinahotspots.com
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 15
“Jeff is a really easy person to work with when it comes to collaborating,” Clark said. “He’s such a prolific writer and really accepting of other people’s input and ideas. Since it was during the pandemic, we were never able to get together, but it was really easy. I’d write some melodies, he’d write some harmonies, so it all worked smoothly.”
True story: A high school and college music teacher, director of media and education for Cannonball Musical Instruments, and father of five from Utah records an eclectic jazz album with A-list stars, and then he’s tapped to perform at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival
The Grammy-winning keyboardist-producer composed five songs and co-wrote two others with Clark.
Saxophonist Randal Clark knows that establishing a smooth jazz career while teaching high school full time and working at a multifaceted job at Cannonball Musical Instruments is a daunting endeavor, but he’s determined to succeed.The46-year-old Salt Lake City, Utah, resident just released his debut album, Imaginary World , with the help of a stellar cast of collaborators, including Jeff Lorber, Gerald Albright, Jimmy Haslip, Randy Brecker, Vinnie Colaiuta and many others. It’s a strong introduction to a new and versatile musician willing to explore the various dimensions of his artistry.
“I wanted to touch on smooth jazz and explore. I’m a product of the late ’80s and ’90s rock, which isn’t always what smooth jazz people are looking for but I really like it. And, I’m a big fan of what David Sanborn does, so I wanted it to be diverse and take people on a journey,” he continued.
Ultimately, producer Haslip recruited many of the other luminaries who also make important contributions.
“Everyone was amenable to the project,” Clark maintained with enthusiasm. “It was an interesting process. Jimmy would say, ‘This tune needs this,’ and we’d bring Sonny Emory to play on drums. Or I’d say, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to have Randy Brecker on this,’ and call Jimmy for his number. Once they all heard a taste of what the music was going to be, they were excited to help.”
“There’s a wide gamut in smooth jazz, and I wanted to fit the genre but have a little sophistication, too,” said Clark, who will play his first major show at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival in October. The music deftly shifts shapes and moods from breezy smooth jazz to funkinflected grooves to melodic ballads to fusion-lite.
Clark claimed he had been thinking about recording an album throughout his tenure teaching band and orchestra at Corner Canyon High School and saxophone at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He began to take it seriously in January of last year when a friend put him in touch with Haslip, who brought Lorber into the project.
Photo:RachelGreen
continued on page 18
By Ken Capobianco
CLARKRANDAL
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 17
page
Gerald Albright and Randal Clark recording a Cannonball band video in The Villa at Cannonball, in Sandy, Utah, in
“My mom was a big fan of ’50s and ’60s music, and she would go listen to Dave Brubeck or The Four Freshmen. She bought albums at garage sales and kept them hidden away in the back closet.
“We manipulate the metal and remove metal to adjust the resonance and make sure it plays in tune. I would literally play every alto and soprano sax before it would leave the shop and adjust them.”
“My dad was a choral teacher in high school, and that’s what we grew up on. We had classical music tests every Sunday,” Clark recalled.
18 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS
Clark is scheduled to perform at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival in the Catalina Casino Ballroom in Avalon, California, on Oct. 23. For more information about Clark, visit http://randalclarkmusic.com.
Clark has been a longtime friend of Albright from their mutual association with Cannonball Musical Instruments.
“When they offered me the opportunity to play, I immediately went to YouTube to look at pictures of the venue to figure out what was in store for me,” he said. “I was terrified for a day but that has turned into excitement. I will be playing with Jimmy Haslip and Jeff Lorber. Gary Novak is playing drums, and Michael Thompson will be on guitar. I guess I don’t have much to worry about there.”
Photo:LoriClark continued from 16
Albright has his own line of Cannonball saxophones and is a veteran ambassador for the company, while Clark is a vital component of the Cannonball team as director of media and education. He also works as an acoustic adjuster of the instruments.
Clark and his wife, Lori, have five children—two girls and three boys ranging in age from 12 to 22. All are musicians, and they play on the track “Time’s Arrow” on Imaginary World. He now finds himself with very different responsibilities, supporting his new album with his show at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival.
August 2021
“I had a little Fisher-Price record player and would dig these records out to play,” he said, laughing. “When I first heard saxophone, it was Paul Desmond. When it came to picking an instrument during high school band, he was who I wanted to be.”
Clark began playing saxophone when he was around 9 years old while growing up in Salt Lake City. His home was predominantly filled with classical music—his father was a classical aficionado.
Photo:RachelGreen
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The album is called Forever, and will be out next year. One track from the album’s recording sessions, “April,” closes out The Best of Mindi Abair. She believes the climate just wasn’t right to put out Forever in the middle of a pandemic. It was clearly the right choice because many albums released in 2020 got lost amid the chaos. Abair is back on the road this year with her band and the Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns Tour with Kirk Whalum and Vincent Ingala. She confessed that her first shows with her band earlier this year were very emotional. The personable and wonderfully engaging musician said the
looking back, I realized I had this beautiful community in smooth jazz. That has been my thread, my community, and my friends. I found great joy with those people. And that’s why I created ‘The Best of.’ There are a few songs on there that were from records I did that were more blues-rock, but the majority is smooth jazz. That’s really where my heart lies.”
While Abair is happy with the comprehensive collection displaying the many shades of her art, she had other plans for a new record until the pandemic hit.
Abair claims the record’s concentration on smooth jazz was an intentional decision after a period of reflection. “I took time during the pandemic to look back. I usually only look forward; ‘What am I doing tomorrow, and where are we going on tour?’ I never really thought about what type of musician I was,” she said via phone recently. “I just wanted to create music that made me feel something and moved me. In
Like most people, Abair was forced to make an “Iadjustment.recordeda record the weeks before the world shut down in March of ’20. That was my coming back to smooth jazz. We were in the studio in March, and I had written the songs over the few years before 2020 when I was doing blues-rock, but these songs came out of me. I didn’t have a place for them at the“Theytime. went on a shelf, and there came a point where my shelf was laden with songs. I looked at it and said, ‘I have to come back to me, and what I would say as a solo artist.’ And, what I had to say were more personal and touchy-feely songs—maybe a little more funky poppy, so I made the record.”
MindiAbair
Over the course of her two-decadeplus career, saxophonist Mindi Abair has been a restless artist who’s never been afraid to explore the boundaries of her talents. The smooth jazz star has ventured into hard rock with Aerosmith, explored the pop world and got down and dirty with the blues. After a period of experimentation that saw her collaborating with blues and rock legends such as Booker T. Jones and the late Gregg Allman, Abair has turned her focus back to smooth jazz. Earlier this year she released a careerspanning compilation, The Best of Mindi Abair. While it contains songs from all the periods in her career, including an unreleased blues song with Jones, the set is primarily centered around her finest smooth jazz work. It features her hits “Lucy’s,” “Bloom,” “Come As You Are,” and the concert staple, “Be Beautiful.”
A JOYOUS, EMOTIONAL RETURN TO PERFORMING AND TOURING
By Ken Capobianco
Photo:GregAllen
“I love playing Catalina Island. I started playing Catalina in 1994. Art Good [the festival founder] saw me at a club—I was a sax player in another band in La Jolla—and he came up to me and said he’d love to have me as a special guest. “I’d never been to Catalina, and found it amazing. I sat in as a special guest with Keiko Matsui. I had no record and hadn’t done anything. I sat in with Rick Braun at a local restaurant, The Blue Parrot, afterwards. That was the start of our friendship. I really feel Catalina Island is like a second family for me. I love to go, and have so many friends. I’ve been there almost every year for something, whether it was the unplugged shows, the main stage, the Wrigley Ranch, whatever. It’s the mainstay of my career, and where I built it.”
The Hollywood resident has added a new title to her resume through her joint venture with her husband and wine connoisseur, Eric Guerra. Together they launched ReserveTastings.com, a membership-only club that pairs wine and music. It has expanded to include wine-music travel adventures.
“I’ve pretty much lived my dream throughout my life, and our dream was to be with each other more. With this, he can do what he does—his passion is wine—and I could do what I do—be out on the road, play with my band and create music.” She went on to explain the unique concept. “He finds incredible wines that no one else can find, and we brand each one of them. I create the artwork, and sometimes I use the artwork from my friends, but it’s all music-centric, so each bottle has its own music-oriented label. Then I curate a music playlist to go with each wine.”
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 21
Abair explained the impetus for the company. “I have spent my life creating music, and Eric has spent his creating incredible wineries. At a certain point, we looked at each other and thought, ‘How do we live the life we want to live?’
continued on page 22
Photo: Eric Guerra
pandemic-imposed isolation was trying. Finally connecting with audiences and making music with her band again was a deeply moving experience.
Abair will be headlining both of the Thursday night “Unplugged Under the Stars” shows at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival in October, and she can’t wait to get back to the island and the festival fans.
That career also evolved to include participation in annual smooth jazz holiday concerts. This year, she returns to A Peter
“Some of the first concerts we played were for the new record, and I went back to my hometown, St. Petersburg, Florida,” she said. “Some of the places were close to my heart with family and friends. I felt safe. It was almost an out-of-body experience for those first couple of shows. Usually when I’m onstage, it’s kind of a zone that I’m in. “It’s a happy place, where I’m playing and I’m communicating with the audience—that beautiful back-and-forth energy. During those first couple of shows, I felt like I was looking at myself on the stage. I was thinking ‘Are we really here?’ ‘Is this really happening?’ And, I got choked up.” She paused momentarily and asked to emphasize one point. “We didn’t go on the road until we were vaccinated. That was a priority. We were safe, and we’re going to keep each other and everyone safe. We wear masks everywhere, apart from being onstage. That’s for us and other people. If we happen to get it, we
“We visit wineries, do tastings, and eat at Michelin restaurants. There is a concert each night in a different style to suit the winery. Guests have included Braun and guitarist Randy Jacobs. “We eat amazing food, drink amazing wine, and build these wonderful relationships with others. It bonds people. The plan is to do two adventures per year— one in the States and one abroad.”
The lesson Abair learned is a simple but important one that should resonate with all artists. “What I realized is that sometimes you have to open up yourself to things you may not feel comfortable with. You have to allow yourself to grow. You have to believe that what you are creating is what’s in your heart.”
Abair is a very thoughtful, curious conversationalist, and she has a lot to say about her art and passions. She admitted that the music industry can often be unforgiving and difficult to negotiate, but added that she has followed certain principles and ideals that have guided her through her career.
For more information on Abair, including her complete tour schedule, visit www.mindiabair.com.
“Anyone who is an artist follows their passion—whether it be fine art, music or something like that—you have to keep inspired. I’ve seen friends go through incredibly inspired years, and they lose themselves. Inspiration can be fleeting. I went through a period like that when I kind of got bored with myself. I thought, ‘I created all this music and achieved my dreams, so what do I do from here?’” She hesitated to consider her words before continuing. “I didn’t want to make the same record again, and wanted to grow, but I had to find inspiration because the same one wasn’t working anymore. We go through changes and have different experiences, but we have to keep searching.”
Ultimately, she focused her energies and committed to trying new things. “I did a lot of things I love and sat in with people I never had before. I said yes to things I wouldn’t have years earlier. That turned out to be incredible. I went on the road with Aerosmith, played for a night with Bruce Springsteen and went on the road with Max Weinberg [Springsteen’s drummer].”
22 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS
continued from page 21 TOURON Oct. 14 and Oct. 21 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival “Unplugged Under the Stars” Descanso Beach Avalon, www.jazztrax.comCalifornia Nov. 1-5 Mindi Abair’s Wine + Music Adventure in Tuscany Grand Hotel Continental Siena (a five-star resort) Siena, 888-758-8687,tuscany-2021www.reservetastings.com/Italyext.3 Nov. 17-19 3rd Annual Mindi Abair’s Punta Gorda Wine + Music Festival Various venues Punta Gorda, www.mindiabair.comFlorida Dec. 19 A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala Sycuan Casino El Cajon (San Diego County), www.sycuan.comCalifornia Various dates in VincentfeaturingAandNovemberDecemberPeterWhiteChristmasMindiAbairandIngala Various venues www.mindiabair.comnationwide PhotographyChynaPhoto:
The traveling component takes members to different locations, where wine is shared, and music is played. “We take people on adventures,” she said enthusiastically. “We had one in June to Sonoma for five days, and we’ll have one in Tuscany in November.
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 23 April 1-10, www.berksjazzfest.comReading,2022PALINEUP, SCHEDULE WILL BE ANNOUNCED NOV. 28! Tickets go on sale Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. WANT EARLY ACCESS TO LINEUP, TICKETS? Become an Arts Advocate! Sign up online! Or, call 610-898-1930 for more information! Save the date for the 31st annual festival!
Eric Marienthal Up Close & Personal, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199
24 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS
Gerald Albright, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, www.jazzalley.com,Washington,206-441-9729
Rhythm on the Vine Jazz Concert Series featuring Hiroshima, 7pm, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Vintner’s Garden, 34843 Rancho California Road, Temecula, California, www.southcoastwinery. com, 844-841-1406 4 Music Monday featuring Michael Paulo, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
1 Gerald Albright, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, www.jazzalley.com,Washington,206-441-9729
2 Dee Lucas Live featuring Gino Rosaria & special guest Blake Aaron, 8pm, Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver, shows,www.tavernhg.com/soiled-dove/Colorado,303-830-9214
OCTOBER
Thornton Winery’s 32nd Annual Champagne Concert Series presents RnR featuring Rick Braun & Richard Elliot, 7pm, Thornton Winery, 32575 Rancho California Road, Temecula, California, www. thorntonwine.com, 951-699-0099 (sold-out) 3 Gerald Albright, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley. com, 206-441-9729
CONCERTS, FESTIVALS AND CRUISES
8 Najee, 7 & 10pm, Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver, Colorado, 303-830-9214com/soiled-dove/shows,www.tavernhg. East Bay Soul featuring Greg Adams, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199
9 East Bay Soul featuring Greg Adams, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199
SUN 12/12 Stuart, FL Lyric Theatre
SAT 11/27 Austin, TX One World Theatre
Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival featuring Blood, Sweat & Tears, with Vincent Ingala as opening act, 7:30pm, Performing Arts Theater at Cape Henlopen High School, 1250 Kings Hwy., Lewes, www.rehobothjazz.comDelaware, DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
TUE 11/30 Alexandria, VA The Birchmere
Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival featuring Brian Simpson & Marcus Anderson, 10pm, Rusty Rudder, 113 Dickinson St., Dewey Beach, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival featuring Najee, with Maysa as opening act, 9pm, Performing Arts Theater at Cape Henlopen High School, 1250 Kings Hwy., Lewes, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival featuring The Royal Scam: A Tribute to Steely Dan, 8pm, Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, www.rehobothjazz.comDelaware, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival presents Damien Escobar, with Eric Darius as opening act, 8pm, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, www.rehobothjazz.comDelaware, Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, www.jazzalley.com,Washington,206-441-9729
34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival Unplugged Under the Stars featuring Lisa Addeo, 6pm; Mindi Abair, 7:30pm, Descanso Beach Club, Avalon, www.jazztrax.com,California,866-872-9849
15 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival featuring Nicholas Cole, 7pm; Tom Scott & The L.A. Express, 9pm, Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849
SAT
TUE 12/14 Phoenix, AZ Musical Instrument Museum 12/17 Denver, CO The Soiled Dove 12/18 Sacramento, CA Crest Theatre
A Peter White Christmas 2021 With Mindi Abair
FRI
FRI 12/3 Richmond, VA The Renaissance
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 25 continued on page 26 14
WED
Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival featuring Marion Meadows & Alex Bugnon, 2:30pm, Lewes Farmers Market, Shields Elementary School parking lot, Savannah Road at Sussex Dr., Lewes, www.rehobothjazz.comDelaware, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival featuring Joey Alexander, 8pm, Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz. com
WED 12/1 Philadelphia, PA City Winery
SUN 11/28 Woodlands, TX Dosey Doe
16 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival featuring Steve Oliver, noon; Gerald Albright, 2pm; Gregg Karukas, 7pm; Jeffrey Osborne, 9pm, Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, www.jazztrax. com, 866-872-9849
SAT 12/4 Cincinnati, OH Ludlow’s Garage
SUN 12/5 Akron, OH Tangiers
THU 12/9 Melbourne, FL King Center for the Performing Arts 12/11 Hallandale Beach, FL Sport of Kings Theater at Gulfstream Park
TUE 12/7 Clearwater, FL Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival featuring Mindi Abair & the Wild Hearts, 4 & 8pm, Rusty Rudder, 113 Dickinson St., Dewey Beach, www.rehobothjazz.comDelaware, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival featuring Art Sherrod Jr. CD-Release Party, 2:30pm, Rusty Rudder Deck, 113 Dickinson St., Dewey Beach, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com (free admission) Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival featuring Peter White & Euge Groove, with Nick Colionne as opening act, 12:30pm; The Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival AllStars featuring Brian Simpson, Nick Colionne, Maysa, Marion Meadows & Peter White, 8pm, Performing Arts Theater at Cape Henlopen High School, 1250 Kings Hwy., Lewes, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com
FRI 11/26 Rockville Center, NY Madison Theater
THU 12/2 Annapolis, MD Rams Head On Stage
SAT
Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, www.jazzalley.com,Washington,206-441-9729
Vincent Ingala MAKE YOUR LIST AND CHECK IT TWICE This Holiday Concert is more than just nice!! A Peter White Christmas with Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala is coming to Town For more information, please visit www.peterwhite.com
WED 12/8 Ponte Vedra, FL Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
SUN 12/19 El Cajon, CA Sycuan Casino Resort
TUE 12/21 Oakland, CA Yoshi’s 12/22 Oakland, CA Yoshi’s
Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival presents Gerald Veasley’s Unscripted Jazz All-Stars featuring Everette Harp, Paul Jackson Jr., Jackiem Joyner, Bobby Lyle, Carol Riddick & Jeff Kashiwa, 4pm; Boney James, 9:30pm, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com Roman Street, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, www.jazzalley.com,Washington,206-441-9729
THU 12/23 Hanford, CA Hanford Civic Auditorium and
23 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival featuring Mariea Antoinette, noon; Kim Waters & Kayla Waters, 2pm; Randal Clark, 7pm; Larry Carlton, 9pm, Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849
18 Boney James: Solid Tour, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere. com, 703-549-7500
Thornton Winery’s 32nd Annual Champagne Concert Series presents Boney James, 7pm, Thornton Winery, 32575 Rancho California Road, Temecula, California, www. thorntonwine.com, 951-699-0099 (sold-out) 24 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival featuring Carol Albert, noon; Najee, 2pm; Adam Hawley, 7pm; Peter White & Euge Groove, 9pm, Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, 866-872-9849www.jazztrax.com, Brian Bromberg CD-Release Party, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
29 Selina Albright, 8pm, Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver, Colorado, /soiled-dove/shows,www.tavernhg.com303-830-9214 DW3: A Tribute to the Legends of Music, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
21 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival Unplugged Under the Stars featuring Evan Marks, 6pm; Mindi Abair, 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, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
26 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS
22 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival featuring Four80East, 7pm; Sax to the Max starring Paul Taylor, Michael Lington & Vincent Ingala, 9pm, Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849 Erin Stevenson, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199
continued from page 25 Music Monday featuring Eric Marienthal & special guest Spencer Day, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
19 Boney James: Solid Tour, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere. com, 703-549-7500
26 Tony Saunders & The Rainforest Band with Vernon “Ice” Black, 8pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero W., Oakland, California, www.yoshis.com, 510-238-9200 28 DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
NOVEMBER 1 Mindi Abair’s Wine + Music Adventure in Tuscany, Italy, a luxury 5-day (Nov. 1-5), insiders-only curated food, wine & music adventure with Mindi Abair & wine expert Eric Guerra, featuring nightly shows with Abair & the world’s finest musicians, private winery visits & culinary excursions, Grand Hotel Continental Siena (a 5-star resort), Banchi di Sopra 85, 53100 Siena, Italy, 888-758-8687,reservetastings.com/tuscany-2021,www.ext.3 4 DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199 6 Vincent Ingala, 8pm, John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent St., 17 Boney James, 5:30 & 8:30pm, Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, www.ramsheadonstage. com, 410-268-4545 34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival featuring Kim Scott, noon; Spyro Gyra, 2pm; Roman Street, 7pm; Rick Braun, 9pm, Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, 866-872-9849www.jazztrax.com, Todd Hunter, 5pm, Urban Press Winery, 316 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, 818-561-4858www.urbanpresswinery.com,California, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival presents Closing Party with buffet, featuring Nick Colionne, Alex Bugnon, Jackiem Joyner, Art Sherrod Jr., Gerald Veasley & more, 6:30pm, Rusty Rudder, 113 Dickinson St., Dewey Beach, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz.com
Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival presents A Little Jazz, A Little Reggae featuring JJ Sansaverino & Jeff Kashiwa, 4:30pm, Rusty Rudder Deck, 113 Dickinson St., Dewey Beach, Delaware, www.rehobothjazz. com (free admission) Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival presents Grand Jam featuring Brian Simpson, Mindi Abair, Alex Bugnon, Nick Colionne, Everette Harp, Paul Jackson Jr., Jackiem Joyner, Bobby Lyle, Maysa, Marion Meadows, Carol Riddick, Art Sherrod Jr., Elan Trotman & Gerald Veasley, 3:30pm, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, www.rehobothjazz.comDelaware, Spencer Day Up Close & Personal, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www. spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199
Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www. jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729
continued on page 28
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 27 DINNER AND A SHOW NEVER SOUNDED SO GOOD. Our Full Menu is available in the Performance Lounge before and during every show. When you purchase your tickets online, just tell us what time you’ll be arriving before the show and we’ll make sure your table is ready for you! No need to make a dining room reservation - your ticket is your reservation. Now you can start enjoying your experience even before the show starts. 3005 Old Ranch Parkway, Seal Beach, California 90740 HameisterEricphoto: .com562.596.2199
3rd Annual Mindi Abair’s Punta Gorda Wine + Music Festival featuring Mindi Abair, with opening act Shawn Brown, 6:30pm, Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda, Florida, https:// festival-2021/,product/16th-annual-wine-jazz-puntagordachamber.com/941-639-3720
4 A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 8:30pm, Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave., Cincinnati, www.ludlowgaragecincinnati.comOhio, New Haven, www.vincentingala.comConnecticut, Eric Marienthal Up Close & Personal, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199
2 A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 6:30 & 9:30pm, Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, www. ramsheadonstage.com, 410-268-4545
A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 8:30pm, The Dosey Doe Big Barn, 25911 I-45, The Woodlands, Texas, www.doseydoe.com, 281-367-3774
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 7:30pm, North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Dr., N. Charleston, South www.davekoz.comCarolina, East Bay Soul Sweet Soul Christmas featuring Greg Adams, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www. spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199
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30
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, Florida, 727-791-7400www.rutheckerdhall.com, Jessy J, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199
26
28 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
28
A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 6 & 9pm, City Winery Philadelphia, 990 Filbert St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, www.peterwhite.com
11 DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www. spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199
21 Ilya Serov, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Florida, www.davekoz.com
DECEMBER 1
A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500
A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 7 & 9:30pm, One World Theatre, 7701 Bee Caves Road, Austin, 512-330-9500,www.oneworldtheatre.org,Texas,ext.101
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida, 904-355-2787http://floridatheatre.com/, DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199 3 Jessy J, 8pm, Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver, Colorado, 303-830-9214com/soiled-dove/shows,www.tavernhg.
17 3rd Annual Mindi Abair’s Punta Gorda Wine + Music Festival featuring Mindi Abair trio, 5:30pm, Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, 5800 Riverside Dr., Punta Gorda, https://puntagordachamber.com/Florida, festival-2021/,product/16th-annual-wine-jazz-941-639-3720
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
19 Nick Colionne, 8pm, Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver, Colorado, dove/shows,www.tavernhg.com/soiled-303-830-9214
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 7pm, Hayes Hall at Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples, Florida, www.davekoz.com
20 Nick Colionne, 8pm, Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver, Colorado, 303-830-9214com/soiled-dove/shows,www.tavernhg.
12 Hiroshima, 8pm, Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis, 410-268-4545www.ramsheadonstage.com,Maryland, 13 Patrick Bradley, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, 562-596-2199www.spaghettini.com, 14 Todd Hunter, 5pm, Urban Press Winery, 316 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, 818-561-4858www.urbanpresswinery.com,California, 15 Music Monday featuring Aubrey Logan, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
18 3rd Annual Mindi Abair’s Punta Gorda Wine + Music Festival featuring Mindi Abair & Ron Reinhardt, 7pm, courtyard of Carmelo’s Italian Ristorante, 321 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, Florida, (sold-out)jazz-festival-2021/,com/product/16th-annual-wine-https://puntagordachamber.941-639-3720
22 Music Monday featuring Eric Marienthal & special guest TBA, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining &
continued from page 26 continued on page 30
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida, www.vanwezel.org, 941-263-6799
DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 8pm, The Madison Theatre at Malloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre, New York, www.mindiabair.com
3rd Annual Mindi Abair’s Punta Gorda Wine + Music Festival featuring Mindi Abair, with opening act Shawn Brown, 6:30pm, Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda, Florida, https:// festival-2021/,product/16th-annual-wine-jazz-puntagordachamber.com/941-639-3720
7 Bob James, 8pm, Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis, 410-268-4545www.ramsheadonstage.com,Maryland, Alexander Zonjic featuring special guests Jeff Lorber & James Lloyd, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 29 OR CALL 310-968-3209 Dellaria’s Italian Gourmet Holiday Packs Pasta Sauces Plus a Special Item Coffee Packs “Try It” Special Central American 2/1lb Coffee Meat Paints for Barbecue’s Central America Blends Dellaria’s Coffee Mug with 1 lb Coffee • Mad Mikes Sicilian Pasta Sauce • Mad Mikes Artichoke Pasta Sauce • Old Kingsley & Sons Meat Paint Barbecue Sauce $41.94 • 6 x1.75 oz packs Variety ( Including 2 x Gaetano Blend 1.75 oz Pack/ Medium Roast*, 2 x Citta Lites Blend 1.75 oz Pack/Medium Roast*, 2 x Francese Blend 1.75 oz Pack/French Roast*) • 6 x1.75 oz packs of Kona Blend Coffee* $28.55 • Dellaria’s Columbian Supremo Blend/Ground 1 lb • Dellaria’s Espresso Whole Bean 1 lb $29.70 • 3 x Old Kingsley & Sons Meat Paint Barbecue Sauce (Original, Chipotle, Mesquite) • Meat Paint Mop Applicator Free ($4.99 regular retail) $44.51 • Dellaria’s Columbian Supremo Blend/ Ground 1 lb • Dellaria’s Guatemalan Blend/Ground 1 lb • Dellaria’s Espresso Whole Bean 1 lb • Apffels Hot Cocoa Mix 24 oz bag $44.55 • Dellaria’s Columbian Supremo Blend/ Ground 1 lb • 4 x1.75 oz Gaetano Blend Medium Blend Coffee Pack* • 4 x 10oz Dellaria’s Food Custom Made Coffee Mug $114.00 * All orders include 1 FREE SHIPPING of GIFT PACK. Order must be placed by December 19th. GIFT PACK 1 GIFT PACK 4 GIFT PACK 6 GIFT PACK 2 GIFT PACK 5 GIFT PACK 7 * Each Pack makes 8 to 10 cups of coffee * Each Pack makes 8 to 10 cups of coffee https://dellariasfood.com/product/gift-basket-meat…ts-for-barbeques/https://dellariasfood.com/product/gift-basket-our-…b-coffee-package/https://dellariasfood.com/product/gift-basket-dell…with-1-lb-coffee/https://dellariasfood.com/product/gift-basket-our-…b-coffee-package/https://dellariasfood.com/product/gift-basket-coff…s-try-it-special/https://dellariasfood.com/product/gift-basket-past…s-a-special-item/
A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 6 & 8:30pm, The Lyric Theatre, 59 S.W. Flagler Ave., Stuart, www.lyrictheatre.com,Florida,772-286-7827
DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
12 Jessy J Christmas Show, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Sound Board Theater at MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit, Michigan, www.davekoz.com
A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 6:30 & 8:30pm, The Tangier, 532 W. Market St., Akron, www.peterwhite.comOhio, Michael Lington: A Foreign Affair Holiday Show with special guests, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
Boney James: Solid Tour, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, www.jazzalley.com,Washington,206-441-9729
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 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, 8pm, Sycuan Casino Resort, 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon (San Diego County), California, www.sycuan.com
Boney James: Solid Tour, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, www.jazzalley.com,Washington,206-441-9729
continued from page 28
A Charlie Brown Christmas featuring Patrick Lamb, 7pm, Tower Theatre, 835 N. Wall St., Bend, Oregon, compatricklambcharliebrownchristmas.www.
26 Maysa Holiday Show!, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, www.birchmere.com,Virginia, 703-549-7500
Michael Lington: A Foreign Affair Holiday Show with special guests, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 8pm, Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, www.kingcenter.com,Florida,321-242-2219
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Ferguson for the Arts, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News, Virginia, 757-594-8752www.fergusoncenter.org, East Bay Soul Sweet Soul Christmas featuring Greg Adams, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
10 Erin Stevens Christmas Show, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
18 Scott Wilkie Holiday Show, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 7:30pm, Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater, Florida, 727-791-7400www.rutheckerdhall.com, 8 Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Connor Palace at Playhouse Square, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, 216-241-6000www.davekoz.com,
30 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS
17 A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 7 & 10pm, Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver, shows,www.tavernhg.com/soiled-dove/Colorado,303-830-9214
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Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Ruth Finley Person Theater at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, California, 707-546-3600lutherburbankcenter.org,https:// 23 Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 8pm, San Jose Civic, 135 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, California, www.davekoz.com, 408-792-4542 DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
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David Benoit Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown featuring Courtney Fortune, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, 206-441-9729www.jazzalley.com,
11 Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 8pm, The Palladium, 1 Carter Green, Carmel, Indiana, 317-843-3800thecenterfortheperformingarts.org,www. Eric Marienthal Holiday Show, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
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Boney James: Solid Tour, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley. com, 206-441-9729
A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 8pm, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach, 904-209-0367www.pvconcerthall.com,Florida, 9 Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio, www.davekoz.com
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A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 7 & 9pm, Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, Arizona, www.mim.org, 480-478-6000
19 Maysa, 5:30 & 8:30pm, Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, www.ramsheadonstage. com, 410-268-4545
A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 8 & 10pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero W., Oakland, California, www.yoshis.com, 510-238-9200 22 A Peter White Christmas featuring Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala, 8 & 10pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero W., Oakland, California, www.yoshis.com, 510-238-9200
20 Terry Steele Holiday Show, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
15 Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Rebecca Jade, 7:30pm, Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa, Arizona, 480-644-6500www.mesaartscenter.com, David Benoit Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown featuring Courtney Fortune, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, 206-441-9729www.jazzalley.com, 16 DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
NOTE: Artists, events, venues, dates and show times are subject to change without notice. Smooth Jazz News is not responsible for any cancellations, changes or the accuracy of any concert, festival or brunch information contained in this magazine in advertisements and/or editorial, which has been provided by outside sources. Please contact each venue directly to confirm all information.
14 Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live performances by DW3, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
21 Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live performances by artist TBA, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199
jazz bruNches Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch in Seal Beach, California
12 Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live performances by DW3, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
31 Maysa’s 1st Annual New Year’s Eve Dinner with Jazz & Soul, 7:30pm, Philadelphia Airport Marriott, 1 Arrivals Road, Terminal B, Philadelphia, www.jazzfesttravel.me,Pennsylvania,301-404-9022
Spaghettini’s Sunday Brunch performances in the lounge sell out quickly. As of press time, lounge seating was still available for the dates and shows below. Seating in other sections of the restaurant may be available. Please check directly with Spaghettini for brunch reservations at 562-596-2199, or visit www.spaghettini.com.
NOVEMBER 7 Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live performances by DW3, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 31
30 DW3, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
19 Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live performances by DW3, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
New Year’s Eve with DW3, 7 & 10pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
Rick Braun’s New Year’s Eve Getaway “Start the Party Early” featuring Eric Darius, 8pm, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 520-219-3381RickBraunNewYearsEve.com,www.
28 Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live performances by DW3, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
DECEMBER 5 Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live performances by DW3, 11am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, www.spaghettini.com,California,562-596-2199
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Rick Braun’s New Year’s Eve Getaway featuring Richard Elliot, Vincent Ingala & Selina Albright; fundraising for charity, appetizers, 6:30pm; Ingala performs, 7:45pm; dinner, 8:45pm; Braun, Elliot & Albright perform, 10:30pm; Champagne toast, midnight, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 520-219-3381RickBraunNewYearsEve.com,www.
32 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS ✓ Cruises ✓ Contests ✓ Jazz Buzz ✓ Festival and concert lineups STAY CONNECTED TO THE LATEST ON THE SMOOTH JAZZ SCENE SMooth Jazz NeWs Links you to updates and breaking news! www.smoothjazznews.comlineups ENGAGE WITH US! Comment on our posts HopleyDavidPhoto:
APPAREL Smooth Jazz News clothing and hats .................... page 36 BOOKS “Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Clever, Curious, Caring Cat” page 8 BRUNCH, DINING AND LOUNGE SHOWS Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment ............... page 27 CATALINA ISLAND A Touch of Heaven Day Spa page 14 Antonio’s Pizzeria & Cabaret page 15 Catalina Museum for Art & History ........................ page 13 Mrs. T’s Chinese Kitchen ...................................... page 15 Original Antonio’s Pizzeria & Deli .......................... page 15 Original Jack’s Country Kitchen page 15 The Stare Case page 14 CDS/RECORDED MUSIC Mariea Antoinette Another Star ............................. page 26 Willie Bradley It’s My Time .................................... page 19 Xavier Gordon Excellence ..................................... page 19 Todd Hunter Postcards From Brazil Volume One page 19 Vincent Ingala Fire & Desire.................................... page 4 Dave Koz A New Day and The Golden Hour ........... page 3 Tony Saunders All About Love .............................. page 19 CONCERTS AND FESTIVALS 2022 Mindi Abair’s Wine + Music Adventures page 5 2022 Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival ........................ page 2 2022 Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest ............................ page 23 2022 Seabreeze Jazz Festival ..........................back cover A Peter White Christmas at Sycuan Casino Resort page 7 A Peter White Christmas tour page 25 Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour page 3 CRUISES 2023 Dave Koz & Friends at Sea: Spain, Morocco, Portugal ................................................... page 3 GOURMET GIFT BASKETS Dellaria’s Italian Gourmet Holiday Baskets ........... page 29 MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION Smooth Jazz News magazine ............................... page 37 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Cannonball Musical Instruments page 17
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As outdoor jazz festival season wraps, holiday concerts are gearing up at indoor venues. Dave Koz and Peter White, who host the two most popular annual Christmas tours, have confirmed their lineups, booked their bands, hired crew and confirmed most of their performance dates.
The Santa Koz team hops on the sleigh for 18 tour dates
jAzz the succulent
Dave
Rebecca
By Melanie Maxwell
Elliot
For more information on A Peter White Christmas, including the up-to-date tour schedule, visit www.peterwhite.com.
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34 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS
Koz
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Three headliners ornament A Peter White Christmas
BuZz and
For more information on the Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour, including the complete schedule (more dates are being added), visit www.davekoz.com.
Koz is hitting the road for his 24th Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour the day after Thanksgiving. This year’s production includes South African guitarist-vocalist Jonathan Butler, trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Richard Elliot. The multi-Grammynominated saxophonist will also introduce singer-songwriter Rebecca Jade to his legions of loyal fans. This ensemble will perform—collectively and separately—fresh renditions of timeless Christmas classics, a Hanukkah medley and hits from their respective catalogues. They’ll also be accompanied by a stellar band comprising guitarist Randy Jacobs, bassist Nathaniel Kearney Jr., keyboardist Carnell Harrell and drummer Jay Williams.
Jonathan
The first stop on the 18-date run is Atlanta on Nov. 26. From there, Santa Koz and his “friends” will be “Fa-La-La-La-ing” all the way to San Jose, where the tour is scheduled to conclude on Dec. 23.
Butler
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Rick
For its 16th anniversary, A Peter White Christmas 2021 will feature Grammy-nominated saxophonist Mindi Abair and saxophonist/ multi-instrumentalist Vincent Ingala. The warm and cozy, threeheadliner, 20-city tour starts Nov. 26 in Rockville, New York, includes a stop at Sycuan Casino Resort (which boasts a 12-story luxury hotel tower) on Dec. 19 in San Diego, then concludes on Dec. 22 in Oakland, California. And more dates are being added.
Braun
Richard
A masterful band comprising Stevo Theard on drums, Nate Phillips on bass, and Ron Reinhardt on keyboards will support the trio. And, in addition to traditional Christmas carols with a smooth jazz twist, they’ll be mixing in some of their new songs from their latest releases (Abair’s The Best of Mindi Abair and Ingala’s Fire & Desire) along with fan favorites.
To unwind before or recuperate after all the festivities, the venue offers luxury amenities—a spa, a multilevel pool and lazy river, hiking and biking trails and several onsite restaurants featuring authentic Mediterranean dishes and classic Mexican fare. Sounds like a scenic and soothing way to welcome a new year.
A week after Rick Braun unpacks his bags from the Dave Koz Christmas Tour, he’s heading to Tucson, Arizona, for his annual New Year’s Eve Getaway. This two-day event, at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort, kicks off on Dec. 30 with a celebrity golf tournament and optional “Start the Party Early” concert with Eric Darius. The main event on Dec. 31 features a reception, fundraising benefiting families affected by autism, dinner, a midnight Champagne toast and performances by Braun, Elliot, Ingala and Selina Albright. A high-energy band featuring Randy Jacobs on guitar, Ron Reinhardt on keyboards, Eric Valentine on drums, and Nate Phillips on bass and vocals back the artists at this first-class event.
For tickets or more information on Rick Braun’s New Year’s Eve Getaway, scheduled for Dec. 30-31, at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, visit www.rickbraunnewyearseve.com, or call 520-219-3381.
Richard Elliot
VincentDariusIngala
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 35
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Rick Braun Eric
Desert destination for Rick Braun’s annual New Year’s Eve Getaway
COVID-19 precautions advisory With the transition to indoor entertainment and celebrations, and cases of the delta variant of COVID-19 spiking, concert producers and venues want to keep their patrons safe and help stop the spread of COVID-19, especially among the older smooth jazz demographic, which has been hardest hit by this global pandemic. So, they are complying with public health department mandates and other governmental guidance by implementing additional sanitation and protective protocols required during their events. These may include all or some of the following: patrons providing verifiable proof of being fully vaccinated, a negative COVID19 test within 72 hours of show time (most home tests do not qualify) and/or the proper wearing of a face mask. Please check with each venue to confirm their requirements prior to your ticket purchase and attendance.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that every eligible person get vaccinated for COVID-19. Vaccines in the United States are free and widely available. Search www.vaccines.gov/, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 800-232-0233 to find your nearest vaccination site.
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Vincent Ingala, Peter White and Mindi Abair
36 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS Note: Shipping and handling are additional. California residents are charged sales tax. SHIRTS • TANKS • JACKETS • HATS GETON!YOUR REDUCEDPRICESonselectedmerchandise HOODIES HATS FLEECE JACKET M, L, XL ... $40 2X, 3X ... $50Black, White, Denim, Khaki ... $20 S, M, L & XL ... $30 2X ... $35 3X, 4X & 5X ... $40 Also available in NEW!
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 | 37 Stoll Complete this form, and send it with a check or money order for $25* (or use the credit card option) to Smooth Jazz News, 5519 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., #134, San Diego, CA 92117. Home delivery is available to U.S. addresses only. CityAddressName State ZIP Phone Email Credit card option (MasterCard, Visa and American Express) Card no. CVC Exp. date Exact name on card Billing Signatureaddress GET HOME DELIVERY! • ONLINE at www.smoothjazznews.com • CALL 858-541-1919 to charge by phone • MAIL the form on this page • AT OUR BOOTH DURING Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival Oct. 15-17 and Oct. 22-24 Avalon, California Festival website: www.jazztrax.com I want Smooth Jazz News delivered to my mailbox (seven issues)Yes! *Price effective through Dec. 31, 2021
38 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS C on cert a nd fest i va l seas on b eck A nd , t he CDC re c ommends t ha t e v e l igible per s on , e s peciall y wi t hin demographic , ge t v a cc ina t ed s o we e n jo y li v e mu s ic and our smoo t h ja li f e sty le t oge t her again ! SE ARC H w w w. v a c cines. g o v / TEX T yo u r z ip co d e to 43882 9 CA L L 1-8 0 0- 2 32-0 2 33 to fi n d v a cc in e lo c atio n s n ea r y o u . WE’RE VACCIN ATED! JEFF LORBER I t ’s n ev er b ee n e a s i e r. C O VI D - 19 a r e f r ee and w id e l y a v ail a bl e. RICK BRAUN RICHARD ELLIOT PETER WHITE ollhoPto:LoriStKIRK VINCENTWHALUMINGALA heibehoPto:DescrTFaunaBONEY JAMES GERALD ALBRIGHT thohoPto:AnnyDixon JONATHAN BUTLER NaikhoPto:Raj BRIAN BROMBERG NaikhoPto:Raj eckolinhoPto:CPDAVE KOZ EUGE GROOVE STEVE COLE hoPto:AaronRice MINDI ABAIR ZIP code to 438829 Indoor concert season beckons.
See more reasons for research and share yours at BCRF.org CARLY , DAUGHTER VALENCIA, DIAGNOSED IN 2018 My mom is incredible. We talk every day. When I learned she had a rare form of breast cancer, I couldn’t imagine my world without her in it. She went through surgeries, chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiation. I sent care packages and flew home whenever I could. Thanks to research supported by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, targeted therapy was there for her. She had incredible strength and tons of support—but research is the reason she’s with us today. Research is the reason I myhavemom
