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Two Kennys, big crowd get fest off to a good start

With Kenny Drew and Kenny G performing, a normally slow night picks up some steam.

By TAMARA EL-KHOURY
Published October 20, 2006

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Ted McLaren] Superstar saxophonist Kenny G performed on the opening night of the 2006 Clearwater Jazz Holiday.

CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Jazz Holiday has a way of bringing people together, and that appeared to be especially true Thursday, when organizers hoped Kenny G would draw a big crowd to what is often a slow night.

By 7 p.m., there were few patches of grass even visible.

"They were waiting at the gates at 5 for us to open," said Gary Hallas, Jazz Holiday marketing consultant. "It's a great way to open up a festival. It sets the stage for the whole weekend."

For sister and brother Cora Randolph of Brandon and Al Campbell of Tampa, "this is sort of a family reunion," she said. "We meet out here every year."

Last year, they came later in the evening and still got a prime seat. But not this year.

"We got here probably around 5:30 and we couldn't get up front," Randolph said. She plans to come all four days to enjoy the music and the festival's vibe.

"I like the atmosphere, the ambience, the people," she said.

[Last modified October 19, 2006, 22:27:16]