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It sings, swings and has die-hard fans

Four days and nights of mind-altering music pump millions into the economy and sweet sounds into the air.

By Demorris A. Lee Times Staff Writer
Published October 23, 2007

Sunday also saw trumpeter and vocalist Joe Gransden take the stage. After giving the crowd just what it wanted, Gransden said he was impressed by the audience's enthusiasm. Photo gallery
	[Douglas R. Clifford | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Douglas R. Clifford | Times] With the sounds of the Lynne Arriale Trio in the background, boaters and their guests gather in Clearwater Harbor during this year's Jazz Holiday at Coachman Park. The artists could be seen by some on a huge screen. [Cherie Diez | Times] Friends Emma Fernald, 4, left, and Gabrielle Pappas, 6, offer their version of interpretive dance to the music of Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge on Friday. [Douglas R. Clifford | Times] Lynne Arriale pours soul into her music Sunday afternoon.

CLEARWATER - The Best family learned an important lesson at this year's Clearwater Jazz Holiday: Always be prepared.

Evening showers cut short their attempt to enjoy the festival Friday night. But by Sunday, Roger, Deborah and Roger II were ready.

During the intermittent showers that soaked the crowd in five-minute bursts, they remained in their seats and pulled out the matching green ponchos they purchased on the way from their Palm Harbor home.

"We were not about to miss Natalie Cole," said Roger Best, 39, rain beads sliding down his poncho. "We were ready this time."

The Best family was among the capacity crowd of 16,000 who braved Mother Nature's uneven temperament Sunday for the 28th Clearwater Jazz Holiday. The event was held at Coachman Park, the city's downtown waterfront venue.

The four-day free jazz concert opened Thursday evening with headliner George Benson. Grammy Award winner Norman Brown featuring Peabo Bryson, Jeff Lorber and Marion Meadows closed out Friday's evening.

On Saturday, Medeski, Martin & Wood hit the stage. Sunday featured the Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater Jazz Holiday Youth Band, trumpeter Joe Gransden and singer Natalie Cole.

"It was just incredible," said Glenn Bergoffen, co-chairman of the Jazz Holiday's music committee. "The entire four days were as good as we've had. The quality of performance was wonderful. The attitude of the performers were incredible especially under some less-than-perfect conditions."

After wowing the crowd with his trumpet and velvet voice, Gransden said he was impressed by the audience's enthusiasm.

"The crowd was awesome," said Gransden, an Atlanta resident. "It was incredible."

Gary Hallas, a Jazz Holiday consultant, said the most recent economic impact study showed the event pumps about $2.3-million into the local economy. He said it takes just under $1-million to produce the event. This year, each of the four nights drew 16,000 people, the maximum allowable crowd, Hallas said.

"We've had great crowds, even with the rain on Friday night," Hallas said. "Throughout the weekend, everybody is having a good time, and that's the most important thing."

There were a few reports of unruly behavior. Clearwater police arrested two people Sunday for disorderly conduct and a couple of attendees were ejected for disorderly conduct, said Elizabeth Daly-Watts, Clearwater's police spokeswoman.

All the proceeds from Jazz Holiday are invested in the community's arts education program, Hallas said. In addition to a year of planning, it takes about 1,400 volunteers to run the event.

Franklin Clark, 38, volunteered for the first time two years ago. This year, the Safety Harbor financial planner helped to oversee about 900 volunteers. He said he got hooked on the experience his first year.

"I got the chance to sit and watch the people," Clark said while dropping off cases of water at a volunteer check-in station Sunday. "The dancing, the smiling faces, everybody sitting there enjoying themselves, the fact that I could help provide that kind of joy for free. I got a big kick out of that."

On Sunday evening, patrons danced, swayed and dodged raindrops as Natalie Cole croonedI've Got Love On My Mind.

The bad weather didn't deter Arthur Laidler. The 75-year-old slipped into his blue poncho to wait out the storm. Laidler has been traveling to Jazz Holiday from his home in Lakeland since 1990. He gets a hotel room on Thursday and stays until the event ends Sunday. He even attended right after open-heart surgery in 1993.

"I just love it," Laidler said. "They have some of the best jazz artists. The best artists are on Thursday and Friday to me, though. Norman Brown and Peabo Bryson, they kicked it."

Reginald Stewart had a major decision to make as he perused the food vendors. Would he choose fish? Would he choose Cuban? He decided on Brady's Backyard BBQ of Safety Harbor. The slow-smoked pulled pork smothered in homemade mango barbecue sauce was the winner. The dinner plate also came with baked beans with shredded pork and slaw.

"The Holiday gives you a different vibe," Stewart said, holding his plate. "It relaxes you. I wish they could have it two times a year."

People were scattered all around Coachman Park, taking in the jazz. Some perched on the hill by the Stein Mart department store. Others rested in their boats and watched the artists on a huge screen, while a few sat by the edge of the bay and listened to the smooth sounds.

"It's been extremely enjoyable," said Ryan Kelly, 28, of St. Petersburg as he watched the sun shimmer off the water and the cars zip over the Memorial Causeway. "Look at this. It's beautiful. And the music is great, too."

Ultimately, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday is about uniting people, said George Cretekos, a Clearwater City Council member.

"You can't put a dollar amount on something that brings the community together like this," he said. "Music. ... It's an important foundation to the whole man."

Demorris A. Lee can be reached at dalee@sptimes.com or 445-4174.

[Last modified October 23, 2007, 06:22:34]