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Artists of note lend mix of jazz for festival

The Clearwater Jazz Holiday will take place at Coachman Park Oct. 13-16.

By EILEEN SCHULTE
Published August 25, 2005

CLEARWATER - At a swinging party at the MarineMax showroom on U.S. 19, the 26th annual Clearwater Jazz Holiday's artist lineup was officially released.

The headliners are jazz/gospel pianist Ramsey Lewis, sax player Boney James and Trio!, a group made up of R&B/pop bassist Stanely Clarke, banjo master Bela Fleck and jazz/rock violinist, Jean-Luc Ponty.

Jeni Coticchio, president of Jazz Force, the festival's volunteer group, said, "I'm excited. I think there is a nice mix of jazz this year. It will be pleasing to all jazz enthusiasts."

The free four-day concert takes place Oct. 13-16 at Coachman Park overlooking Clearwater Harbor.

It typically attracts about 70,000 people annually.

This year's poster by Tampa artist Tim Boatright, titled In the Moment, was prominently displayed at the party. It will be on sale on the festival's Web site - www.clearwaterjazz.com - and at the park for $15, unframed.

"It's going to be tremendous. It's our 26th year and we're going to wow them again," said Larry Gerwig, president of Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation.

He said he was pleased with the mix of performers. "Our music committee has tried to touch all the areas. We spent our money wisely. We've tried to mix it up."

Fireworks will again play a part on Saturday night, and the festival will include Jumbotrons, with one aimed at boats in the harbor and another for festivalgoers in the park.

And as last year, the festival will ask for donations at the gates and various locations throughout the park, although there will be no requested minimum.

"We don't want to charge," said Coticchio. "It gets harder and harder to keep it free."

Last year's suggested donation of $5 netted nearly $19,000 in cash, helping the festival finish in the black for the first time in three years - to the tune of $30,000.

The budget for this year's festival is about $600,000.

[Last modified August 25, 2005, 00:52:33]