Drew Street and the waterfront in downtown Clearwater, 727-562-4800, clearwater-fl.com
A great open space on the water, Coachman Park hosts a number of freebie shows, including the annual Clearwater Jazz Holiday. Though its small stage-bowl is too tiny for most acts, the bigger concerts construct their own stage for rock and jazz shows. The sound depends on the weather and the promoters of the individual shows but generally is pretty good. And the sunsets are spectacular.
Memories Latin percussion master Tito Puente led his large ensemble through a sizzling dancefest at CJH 1999 • Busta Rhymes blew up Wild Splash a few years ago • A 2001 CJH performance by New Orleans' Los Hombres Caliente; they played a no-amps set for a few hundred people who stayed after a downpour shut off power to the stage. Percussionist Bill Summers came down into the seats and exhorted the remaining crowd to join in, while trumpeter Irvin Mayfield blew his lungs out to be heard without a mic • And there was the time that sax legend Sonny Rollins played CJH, performing angry and barely letting his sidemen consider a solo.
Capacity: 13,000.
Grub: Depending on show, full meals from vendors in food court area
Booze: Beer and wine
Next big show: Seafood and Blues Festival, Feb. 19-22, 2009.
