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Groovin' the night away at the park
Fans eagerly await the first performers in a lineup one man said was the best in his 15 years of attending.
By RITA FARLOW, Times Staff Writer
Published October 19, 2007
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Hundreds of jazz lovers line up outside the festival grounds at Coachman Park and wait for the gates to open so they can claim prime locations to spend the evening soaking in all the music.
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[Joseph Garnett, Jr. | Times]
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[Joseph Garnett, Jr. | Times]
Mark Israel of the United States Air Force Academy Band Falconaires performs a brief piece on his flugelhorn during the band's sound check as the 2007 Clearwater Jazz Holiday was about to kick off.
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CLEARWATER - Lionel Johnson had just one reason to wait in line for four hours to get into the Clearwater Jazz Holiday on Thursday: George Benson. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to see him for free," said Johnson, 47, of Tampa. Johnson, who grew up listening to jazz, said he really got into the genre while stationed in New Orleans when he was in the Coast Guard. "I could listen to it 24 hours a day," he said. About 200 people were lined up behind Johnson when the gates opened for the first night of the four-day annual event. Jazz Holiday marketing consultant Gary Hallas said event organizers expected between 16,000 and 18,000 patrons the first night, in part due to Benson, a guitarist and jazz legend. "There's no more easing into the weekend," Hallas said. Many aficionados, including Ronald Guay, 75, of Largo, said the musicians this year were the best in the 15 years he's been coming to the event. The evening started with a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band Falconaires, which was making its first appearance at the 28-year-old event. Festival performances today feature Ray & Friends; Chuck Owen & the Jazz Surge featuring Mike Mainieri and Adam Nussbaum; and Norman Brown featuring Peabo Bryson, Jeff Lorber and Marion Meadows. Johnson said he enjoyed the big band style of the Falconaires, but he was really waiting for Benson. Said Johnson: "I'll be dancing all night long."
[Last modified October 19, 2007, 00:13:17]
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