Jazz Festival celebrates 10th anniversary with a star-studded weekend
SEASIDE - WSBZ Radio presents the 2008 Seabreeze Jazz Festival April 16-20 at the Gulf Place Outdoor Amphitheater. Named by JazzIZ Magazine as one of the "Top 10 Jazz Festivals in the USA," this year's event is a 10th Anniversary Celebration including performances from some of the top names in contemporary jazz.
Artists scheduled to perform include Dave Koz, Rick Braun, Brian Culbertson, Richard Elliot, Norman Brown, Waymon Tisdale, Euge Groove, Joyce Cooling, Jeff Kashiwa, Four 80 East, Kim Waters, Paul Taylor, Alex Bugnon, Chante Moore, Nick Collione, Steve Cole, The Groove Boutique featuring Rafe Gomez, Shilts from Down To The Bone, Nayee Moses, Matt Marchek, Bonafi de featuring Slim Man, Jones and Company, and others. Additional local and regional talent will also be featured as part of this year's star-studded lineup.
The highlight of the 2008 event marks the first Gulf Coast performance of saxophonist Dave Koz. In a career spanning nearly two decades, Koz has established himself as a platinum-selling artist with four Grammy nominations. He has played with such musical luminaries as Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, U2, and Michael McDonald.
One new exciting feature of this year's festival is a free Thursday evening All-Star Jam Show. Hosted by smooth jazz guitarist Nick Colionne, the evening will feature montage of national and local jazz talent in a first-ever All-Star Jam Show.
"It's our way of showing thanks to the Emerald Coast for supporting us and smooth jazz," said Mark Carter, president and general manager of WSBZ 106.3-The Seabreeze. "The All-Star Jam show is going to be a cool and exiting addition to commemorate 10 years of great performances, and we are so happy to offer it free of charge to the local community!"
Other events include a Smooth Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the entertainment yacht The Solaris at Baytowne Wharf, The Seabreeze Scramble--a Smooth Jazz Golf Tournament at the Santa Rosa Golf Club, and a cool "Chill Jazz" After Party overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The five-day long jazz event concludes with jazz band clinics for high school band students in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.
The Seabreeze Jazz Festival began in 1999 at Seaside with just a handful of participants and has grown to attract over 5,000 jazz attendees per day from all over the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America. Many come just for the music, while others enjoy the beautiful beaches, upscale shopping, and fi ne dining the Beaches of South Walton area has to offer.
Tickets are on sale and limited. A weekend pass is $130 including all performances at Gulf Place (Thursday-Sunday) with individual single-day tickets $50-$80 each. Tickets for the Smooth Jazz Dinner Cruise, Golf Tournament, and After-Party are sold separately.
Order tickets online at http://www.seabreezejazzfestival.com or by phone at (800) 595-4849. Tickets for the Gulf Place performances are also available at Playground Music Center in Fort Walton Beach and Kitchenique at The Market Shops at Sandestin.
Free shuttle bus service to the event will be provided from the Grand Boulevard parking lot at Sandestin next to Publix. Take a blanket or a lawn chair. Coolers are welcome but no alcohol may be brought in. Cash bar and food vendors are available at the event.