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Festival's final day pulls few, but why?

Only 3,500 people attended the Clearwater Jazz Holiday on Oct. 16, surprising organizers. No reason seems apparent.

By EILEEN SCHULTE
Published October 25, 2005

	[Times photo: Douglas R. Clifford]
	Kermit Ruffins plays the trumpet while he and the Barbecue Swingers perform on Oct. 16, the last day of this year's Clearwater Jazz Holiday at Coachman Park. Though fewer attended that day than organizers wanted, donations for New Orleans musicians surpassed expectations.

CLEARWATER - Sunday was going to be the big day.

It was when New Orleans musicians would play authentic jazz at Coachman Park, and everyone would come and dance and pay homage to the city that was washed away a month and a half before.

But it fizzled, and an otherwise successful four-day event ended on a somewhat sour note.

And no one really knows why.

When the Coolie Family Singers had to bow out of the 26th annual Clearwater Jazz Holiday after being flooded out of Louisiana, organizers dug deep into their reserves and extended the lineup by hiring Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers and Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.

Organizers promised to send half of all donations collected at the gates to struggling musicians in the Big Easy.

But according to the Clearwater Police Department, only 3,500 people attended the Clearwater Jazz Holiday on Oct. 16, a letdown for producers of the free event.

"Sunday did not meet expectations," said Larry Gerwig, president of the Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation. "But our donations exceeded our expectations."

He said more than $7,000 was raised Sunday, and $3,500 will be sent to the Tipitina's Foundation, which helps New Orleans jazz musicians find gigs, instruments and housing. Figures for the entire event have not been tabulated.

Gerwig said the bills from vendors were still coming in, but event organizers will be able to pay all of its bills for this year.

But the question remained: Was the 1 p.m. Bucs game to blame for the low turnout?

Or the lineup of performers?

Gerwig had no idea.

Chuck Cashman, senior vice president of sales and general manager of MarineMax, the title sponsor of the event, said he was still thrilled with the concert and thinks the company will remain a sponsor after its three-year commitment runs out next year.

"I thought it was awesome," Cashman said. "The weather made it so enjoyable."

He was not alone.

Clearwater police estimated that 5,500 people attended the first night of the event and 7,500 people attended Oct. 14. The park's capacity was maxed out with at least 15,000 on Oct. 15 when Koko Taylor and Boney James performed.

Last year, the size of the crowd forced organizers to close the gates during the Neville Brothers show, a first in Jazz Holiday history.

Cashman said he counted more than 50 boats on one night.

Like last year, boaters were able to watch the jazz on a jumbo video screen and hear music from speakers aimed at the water.

"Culturally, we had a great event, a broad range of jazz and a broad range of crowds," Gerwig said. "For that, we can be proud."

--Eileen Schulte can be reached at 727 445-4153 or schulte@sptimes.com

[Last modified October 25, 2005, 03:00:29]