Jazz Comes to Seaside to Benefit New Orleans Musicians
By Deborah Wheeler, Walton Sun, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.
May 17–The Seabreeze Jazz Fest has left the county, but its site of origin, Seaside, has taken up the torch for jazz.
The Merchants of Seaside made a decision to forego its annual spring wine fest this year in favor of a jazz fest to benefi t New Orleans musicians struggling to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina.
The festival runs over two weekends with the legendary Neville Brothers headlining Memorial Day Weekend.
The festival also includes performances by local jazz artist Ted Shumate.
The festival’s producer, Gail Morgan, said the Merchants Association organized the Seaside Jazz Festival prior to hearing that the Seabreeze Jazz Fest was moving to Bay County.
“It’s an opportunity to do something different here and to bring in culture and an opportunity to give back to musicians rebuilding their lives since Katrina,” said Morgan. “The musicians who are coming are icons of New Orleans jazz.”
Taking the Seaside Amphitheatre stage today at 4 p.m. will be trumpeter Shamarr Allen, who was voted winner of the “Best Emerging Artist” of the 2008 Big Easy Awards.
Tomorrow at 3 p.m., Panama City guitarist, composer and recording artist Ted Shumate takes the stage, followed by second-generation jazz pianist and violinist Jesse McBride at 5 p.m.
The Hot 8 Brass Band reopens the festival on May 23 at 7 p.m.
Glen David Andrews performs the next day at 4 p.m., followed by Little Freddie King’s blues guitar at 6 p.m.
Sax man Dayve Stewart opens at 3 p.m. on Sunday, followed by Marva Wright at 5 p.m.
Guitarist Walter “Wolfman” Washington opens for the Neville Brothers on Memorial Day at 4 p.m. The Neville Brothers take the stage at 6 p.m.
More than one of the performers lost everything in Katrina’s wake, including their instruments. Freddie King rode out the storm in the city’s 9th Ward.
The Neville Brothers returned to the city this year to give the closing performance at Jazz Fest for the fi rst time since Katrina.
“The merchants at Seaside wanted to show our support for musicians along the Emerald Coast and also our neighbors in New Orleans. This festival not only offers them a fantastic showcase, it also provides jazz fans with two weekends fi lled with world-class music,” said Kristen Banker, executive director of the Merchants Association. “Many of these famous performers have suffered hardships due to Katrina. We are so pleased to host them in our Journey through Jazz as they continue on their road back to success.”
Tickets for the fi rst weekend of Seaside Jazz Festival’s A Journey Through jazz cost $100 for access to all performances. Memorial Day Weekend tickets cost $150 and also give access to all performances. Proceeds benefi t the jazz musicians of New Orleans.
For more information call (850) 231-5424, email kbanker@ embarqmail.com or visit www. seasidefl oridajazzfestival08.com.
“This won’t be the only year for the jazz festival. We hope to do more stages,” said Morgan. “This area has room for culture.”
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Copyright (c) 2008, Walton Sun, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.
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