They finally did it, the whole magilla. The Clearwater Jazz Holiday took the headfirst plunge into the smooth side of the pool. One word and a letter: Kenny G. Yes, the G-Man will bring his soprano sax and mellifluous tuneage to Coachman Park in October. But wait, there’s more: faux-funky saxophonist Richard Elliot performs, as does smooth sax hottie Mindi Abair (wait, stop me, I’m starting to sound like Sean Daly). What, no Boney James?
It’s pretty sad, folks, when ersatz swingers Cherry Poppin’ Daddies are counted on to give the festival some cred. Then there’s Manhattan Transfer. A tired group.
Even the one act in the lineup that has some true jazz punch comes with a tin lining. Clarinetist Don Byron’s Ivey-Divey trio will feature pianist Edward Simon and drummer Billy Hart. The original Ivey-Divey trio, the one that played on the album, included drummer Jack DeJohnette and pianist Jason Moran, two of the most inventive players in contemporary jazz. We get the B-team.
I wish there was something on the bill I could get truly excited about. Buckwheat Zydeco’s a nice act, but much better in a fest like Heatwave, where the dancing takes over. USF jazz director Chuck Owen brings in his very fine big band, Jazz Surge, as he’s done before.
And, finally, there’s this puzzlement: Jazz to the Maxx. Any band that purports to be jazz and calls itself Jazz to the Maxx is about as hip as Judge Smales. Sounds like they put instruments in the hands of stock boys from TJ Maxx.
— Eric Snider
This article appears in Aug 16-22, 2006.