Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island

32 Stars of Smooth Jazz will step off

Boats in the tiny seaport village of
Avalon this October. 5 are Women.
The international flavor includes one
coming from Japan. 1 originally from
Denmark who just became a U.S. citizen. 3 are British. 1 Frenchman, but
who lives in Spain. 1 born and raised
in Puerto Rico who is also a former
New York Yankee outfielder. 1 is
German. 2 from Canada. 7 are making their 1st ever JazzTrax Festival
appearances. 5 wed never heard of
before when Summer began. 1 the son
of a world famous Astrophysicist.
Guitarist outnumber Saxophonist this
time 13 to 9.
There are 7 Keyboardists. 1 Drummer.
1 Trumpet/ Flugelhornist. 1 Bassist
who is also the only son on the line-up
of a famous actor and movie producer/ director. Since Los Angeles is the
Music Capital of the Universe many
come from right across the sea from
our Smooth Jazz Island, but other
cities represented on stage this fall
include Washington D.C., New York,
New York, Tampa, Detroit, Chicago,
Philadelphia, Youngstown, Tokyo,
Madrid, Toronto, Paris, Atlanta,
Orlando, and Sacramento. Enjoy

MINDI ABAIR
Debut year 2003
www.MindiAbair.com
Raised the child of a jazz saxophonist
in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her styling
forged in part by the long list of artists

she has toured & recorded with.

Backstreet Boys, Duran Duran, Mandy
Moore, Josh Groban, Adam Sandler,
Keb Mo, Lalah Hathaway, Teena
Marie, John Tesh, Bobby Lyle,
Jonathan Butler, Lee Ritenour, Peter
White, Rick Braunand Her Dad.
Having spent much of her early life,
including as a baby in a bassinet, on
the road with her fathers band.
Watching Dad onstage. Spending
time with her grandmother, an opera
singer while herself playing piano at
age 5, but then copying her father by
making her primary, the Sax.
Host of her own syndicated radio
show Chill with Mindi Abair. Also
busy as Guest Host for a week from
Hawaii on Seattles Smooth Jazz
Radio affiliate and from Las Vegas
with Dallas The Oasis. Her songs
were featured in the Robin Williams/
Mandy Moore movie License to
Wed
and
Aaron
Spellings
Summerland.
She appeared on the JazzTrax Island
stage 1st in 1994, then going all
those ways above before turning the
Smooth Jazz World on its Ear as the
JazzTrax 2003 Debut Artist of the
Year. Included was Lucys which
went to No. 1 for 8 consecutive
weeks. 2 more Number 1 Songs followed, True Blue and Bloom. Then
honored with the
2006 JazzTrax
Album of the Year. She is the most
recent Smoother to Cross-Over to the
Pop Charts hitting Top 30 AC a year
ago (alongside John Mayer) with
Her vocal title track to Stars. Music
was always her normal, even as she
has lives a Life Less Ordinary.

JazzTrax.com

MARC ANTOINE
Debut year 1994
www.MarcAntoine.com
The
Frenchman
who
brought
European Guitar Flair to Smooth Jazz
with his Mid 90s entrance to the
genre. Originally from Paris, he
moved to London in the late 80s
where he became a touring guitar
sideman for Basia as she broke in
1987. He then moved to Los Angeles
for a decade where he had every
street memorized as he jobbed as a
messenger, delivering all over L.A.
and the San Fernando valley before
he broke in 1994 and began delivering his own messages by song on
stages everywhere as one of the 90s
hottest and most unique Stars of
Smooth Jazz. After marrying an actual Ms. Madrid they moved there.
Where he and Rebecca raise their 5
year old son Allesandro in SPAIN.
No one saw this years collaboration
with Paul Brown coming, but The 2
famed guitarists have known one
another for 20 years. Both men have
sons named Alex. Marc and Paul both
credit the JazzTrax Live Performance
Stage in the Avalon Ballroom as having given each of them individually
their Major Solo Stage Debuts.
Marcs back in the Mid 90s when he
was named Smooth Jazz Debut Artist
of the Year in 1995 and 1998s Best
Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year.

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

continued on page 2

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 1

JazzTrax.com
Phoenix to record her spectacular
debut with such guests as Marion
Meadows & Tim Bowman. Bringing
on this years newest female Smooth
Jazz Star and get this..playing
Trumpet & Flugelhorn!

TIM BOWMAN

CINDY BRADLEY

Debut Year 1996

www.TimBowman.com

Debut Year 2009

www.CindyBradley.com

Some leave their home country to make

it in Los Angeles and then wind up in
Places like Madrid. Most never leave
Los Angeles where Chris Botti is even
once again trying to settle down somewhat by purchasing a home. Only a
handful Stay put an entire career right
where they were born, and brewed.
Even native Earl Klugh eventually left
Detroit, leaving the instrumental SOUL
of the Motor City to only Tim who has
traveled as extensively as any, but will
not change his forever home base.

In May, Jeff Lunt, Vice President of

Artist Development for the Paul
Hardcastle record label TrippinN
Rhythm Records finally unloaded his
secret to Art Good that hed been
hinting about since Christmas.
Arriving for lunch at the Clubhouse
at PGA West east of Palm Springs in
the Southern California Desert in La
Quinta. Simply handing over a CD
with pictures and instructing, Just
Listen. Itd be a strong bet to suggest Art had just been handed the
JazzTrax 2009 Debut Artist of the
Year. A total complete unknown. The
only artist who will perform on multiple JazzTrax Weekends this October.

Detroit and his Church and thus really

hitting his stride this past year as his
monster hit single Sweet Sundays was
No. l on the Smooth Jazz Chart as
2008 went away and 2009 arrived.
He brings the Detroit Grab to the Guitar
to the Genre. His style refined by 6
years with the Gospel Singing Winan
Family including stints as their Music
Director. Giving that up though for the
domestic life of family and kids, until
Wanda suggested a solo career which
he accomplished while never having to
move from his hometown. With family
now even on his latest self titled release.
Son Tim Jr. featured on one of its
tracks. Tim Senior had kept hidden his
Golf Swing and Putt until this October
he hosts Weekend 2 of The Brand New
Sunday Morning JazzTrax Golf at the
Historic Catalina Country Club.

Raised in the 33,262 populace town

of North Tonawanda, located midway between Buffalo and Niagara
Falls. Loves the Hockey Sabres. Her
chops now long heard in the studios
of Manhattan after settling just
across the Hudson River in New
Jersey. While still playing with the
Sly Geralds Band (bassist to Maceo
Parker), June 2009 marked her Solo
Debut on the label of The
Jazzmasters. Trippin N Rhythm
Records set her up with producer
Michael Broenig (Michael B, who
produced George Benson to a
Grammy Winner). She spent 2 long
winter weekends at his studio in

NORMAN BROWN
Debut Year 1991
www.NormanBrown.com
Hes Chillin. Hes Coolin. Hes from
Kansas City (originally Shreveport,
Louisiana.) He came to L.A. straight
outa high school. Hes a Grammy
Winner in the prestigious Best Pop
Instrumental 2002 Category for his
critically acclaimed album Just
Chillin. What turned him? His Wes
Montgomery loving steelworker Dad.
(Pops Cool Groove off his most
recent CD Stay With Me.) All punctuated by a quote youll hear on an
October JazzTrax radio show by
George Benson. George saying
Normans One Song Collaboration
on Bensons new End of Summer CD
Songs and Stories, done with
Norman might make him (George)
want to do an entire Collaboration
ALBUM with Brown.
Years ago (early 90s) (George) stated on the JazzTrax Microphone when
told everyone was comparing the
emerging young Norman to Benson,
replied, (George) Whats Wrong
with That!
continued on page 3

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 2

Benson said HE was told repeatedly
early on he shouldnt try singing, just
stick to his guitar. Normans heard the
exact same throughout his career, but
finally he aint listening. His fans keep
shouting for him to SING TOO. Even
Art Good almost a decade ago sitting
on the JazzTrax Christmas Tour Bus
rolling across America told him he
shouldnt hesitate to SING MORE.
His Singing is Growing even as his
Guitaring is Continuing. Look for a
Brand New Norman in early 2010.

PAUL BROWN
In the meantime he continues to add a
huge variety of all stars like Peabo
Bryson, Patti Austin, Eric Darius to his
ongoing Norman Brown Summer
Storm Tour. And Mindi Abair to the
upcoming Norman Brown All Star
Christmas Tour.

Debut Year 2004

www.PaulBrown.com
Kindve Quiet and Unassuming on
stage. Even in person. But in Studio
as THE Most Successful Producer in
Smooth Jazz, Most Imposing and
Unquestioned. Originally a Session
Guitarist and to us, Guitarist in Sam
Rineys band. Then he began produc-

ing Young James Oppenheim (Boney

James.) Together they created the
most successful careers of the 90s
(Artist-BoneyProducer-Paul) and into
the 00s before parting just a few
Boney projects back. Adding in the
No. ls he produced for the likes of
Peter White, Richard Elliot, Euge
Groove, Norman Brown, Larry
Carlton, George Benson, and on and
on and on, and now after beginning
his own Solo Career just shy of 50
years of age, add in his own No. l
songs including Winelight, 24/7,
The Rhythm Method. Now add in
Tequila Moon, which he produced,
which took Jessy J to No. l for months
as she broke in 2008. Paul now owns
over 50 Number 1 Radio Hits as
Producer and Guitarist.
And now a 1st ever Collaboration
(although he produced the Rick
Braun/ Boney James 2000 Shake It
continued on page 4

Luau Larrys
Where the Bar Meets the Bay!

Harbor View Dining

Live Music & Happy Hour

Friday & Sat. Nights

LIVE MUSIC

Open daily for lunch & dinner

11am - 10pm

Breakfast Buffet

Steaks, Seafood, Pasta, Gourmet Pizza

All you can eat - 8am - 12pm

Saturday & Sunday

Rthe El Encanto, where the Artists Dine

For reservations, please call 510-1474 or just come in!

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 3

Up CD). After Marc Antoine joined up
for 2008s Paul Browns Guitar night.
A 30 date tour of both the East and
West Coasts that included a final stop
in October 08 here in Avalon. Paul literally made a right turn from doing his
next solo album. After inviting Marc in
to guest on just 1 track, he liked their
combined combo of marcs cosmopolitan nylon string vibe to Pauls funky
and soulful electric Gibson L-5, so
Much he changed to making it a full
collaboration with Marc. Paul said,
when we were done with the track, we
looked at each other and felt that
maybe we had the kernel of a whole
project here. Paul began writing in
L.A. marc in Madrid. Their True
Smooth Jazz Global Cooperation
brings the live Foreign Exchange to
our October JazzTrax stage. Paul
shows off his Golf Chops Weekend 1,
Sunday Morning. Join him at the
Catalina Country Club for 9 holes.

JESSE COOK
Debut Year 1995
www.JesseCook.com
Just what narrow strip of land did this
French Canadian make his 1995 U.S.
concert debut upon? That would be
Catalina Island when we were talked
by Narada Records into introducing
him at JazzTrax to America. He
explains the memory on his own website. The 1995 Catalina Island
JazzTrax Festival was a turning point.
I had just made Tempest, (his debut
album released just weeks before.)

Within a month we signed with

Narada and they booked us into the
Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival.
Originally the band was to perform
during the 20 minute intermissions in a
little bar downstairs from the main
stage. But the room quickly filled and
the appreciative and by now expanding crowd wouldnt let me leave. They
coerced me into extending my set well
past an hour. He took this festival by
Storm! Scheduled only the 1st of our
then 2 consecutive weekends, the
national conversation and sales it
stirred up caused Narada Records to
turn him around at their headquarters
in Milwaukee and return him for a 2nd
weekend encore. Inevitably Cook was
invited onto the main Stage. Shortly
afterwards Tempest entered the
American Billboard Charts at #14.
Mario Takes a Walk has been voted
by Canadian citizens one of the 49
songs that best represent them up
there north of the 49th parallel in a
vote to see which 49 pieces of music
get to the heart of Who They Are.
After a 5 year hiatus from recording to
marry and have 2 children, 2008s
Frontiers was nominated again for
World Music Album of the year at the
Canadian Juno Awards (equivalent to
our Grammys after hed. won his first
in 2000. Toronto based, he was born
in Paris in 1964. After his parents separated, Jesse accompanied his mom
and sis to Canada, his mothers birthplace. In a region of France known as
the Camargue, Arles, his father, a
retired film director lived the last l0
years of his life with Jesse spending
summers there, wandering the streets
among the Gypsies, soaking up things
and listening to the likes of Nicolas
Reyes, lead singer of the Gipsy Kings
who lived next door.
His style is Rumba Flamenco. The
Rumba Foundation, released the
week again that he arrives on the
Island, Just like 1995, but whereas an
unknown then, now world renowned.

JazzTrax.com

NICK COLIONNE
Debut Year 1994
www.NickColionne.com
He is The Big Windy Cat (title of his
newest radio single) having blasted out
of the Big Windy (Chicago) onto the
National Smooth Jazz Scene in 2003
with his first hit single High Flyin peaking on the Charts at No. 2 and included in the 2003 Top 10. Culminating at
the 2007 Canadian Smooth Jazz
Awards where he succeeded Chris Botti
as International Instrumental Artist of
the Year. On stage his natural
comedic flair attached to his crisply
tailored, colorful outfits have earned
him raves as The Best Dressed Man in
Jazz with a clothing endorsement from
prestigious mens clothier Stacy Adams.
Chicagos WGN-TV proclaimed him
Wes with a New Millennium Twist
even as Nick has made friends with
Wes son Robert Montgomery.
It all follows years of honing his chops
at the clubs throughout Chicago after
coming of age on Chicagos West Side.
As powerful a presence as he is on the
airwaves, the real Colionne Magic happens onstage, where his live performances defy categorization. He goes into
every live performance, like its the last
time Ill ever play. Including one classic
Unplugged Moment at Midnight on the
JazzTrax Baseball Train heading
Memphis to Chicago overnight. Fishing
is Nicks getaway, going so far as to
spot fishing spots from airplanes.
Catching Bass & Cat Fish on his
favoritethe Fox River.
continued on page 5

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 4

Premium Jeans in select stores and
print publications. Says Catalina
Island is kindve his Homecoming
because Catalina 2004 was his
Introduction to the World.

dad from Age 5 at Baltimores Pier 6.

Being affected directly at the earliest
of ages by seeing on stage live Etta
James, Ray Charles, and BB King.
One of his biggest accomplishments
was losing 60 pounds after learning
the secret of Surrendering. But his
biggest service was his Naval Tour in
Desert Storm in 1991.

ERIC DARIUS
Debut Year 2004
www.EricDarius.com
Just barely inside his 20s when he
first arrived 5 years ago on Catalina
Island. His spectacular raging live
show witnessed by Smooth Jazz News
Publisher Melanie Maxwell which got
him that mags 2004 Debut Artist of
the Year Honors. It was his major label
debut with Narada, but followed his
first self produced CD a bit earlier at
the tender age of 17. He studied
Business at the University of South
Florida and now finds himself, still in
his mid 20s, recording for the legendary Blue Note Record label.
2008 saw him earn JazzTrax Best
Live Performance of the Year honors
for the Friday Night Frenzy he created
here at JazzTrax. Entering the
Ballroom with a Blazing Inferno of
Pure Body Rockin and Soul Stirrin
mixed to a Galvanizing Assault of
sax, organ, crashing beats and literally Diving into the Audience with
Saxophone and Style. Never giving
the festival audience a chance to cool
off until well after hes left the stage.
At home in Wesley Chapel, just outside Tampa, FL, he listens to pop radio
and goes to clubs to see what people
are into. Both parents are from the
Caribbean Islands. David Aldridge of
ESPNs Sports Center is a fan of Erics
while Eric is a huge fan of NBA Star
Lebron James of the Cleveland
Cavaliers. Eric now models PRVCY

DREW DAVIDSEN
Debut Year 2007
www.DrewDavidsen.com
This Towson, Maryland (15 minutes
outside Baltimore) Guitarist was
unknown even to JazzTrax when
Summer began. His unnoticed, (at
least on the West Coast) 2007 solo
debut didnt faze him as he quickly
prepared what to many appears to be
his debut CD. Around Again
released in August, but already he
had one of his biggest dates calendared in. Opening for George Duke
on Catalina Island in the Fall.
His heritage story had his Norwegian
born Grandmother immigrating to
America where his Grandfather
worked on barges that each day went
to the Statue of Liberty in New York
Harbor. But it was Drews Dad who
stole the show as a World Renowned
Astrophysicist, from which comes his
first single to radio, Astro. Arthur
Davidsen was the principal investigator for Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescopes
in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins
University. When his Dad died 7 years
ago, the NY Times spread his
Obituary over 2 pages.
Drew began going to concert after
concert with his jazz and blues loving

GEORGE DUKE
Debut Year 1966
www.GeorgeDuke.com
The Godfather of Smooth Jazz finally
makes his way to the Island where he
thinks maybe 25 to 30 years ago he
played outdoor, maybe at Descanso
Beach and maybe, with Stanley
Clarke. His studio the Mecca for so
many he helped break into their own
smooth jazz stardom. He makes it
easy for those wanting a stake in his
time, posting not just his tour schedule,
but his entire day by day schedule on
his website. Look there and see that
2009 began with 10 days of In
Studio Lead Vocal Recording with
Grace Decca in his studio. Later it
was 12 days of Mixing that album.
Listed right there at GeorgeDuke.com.
Next a bunch of days at the State
Department in India at the Thelonius
Monk Institute with Herbie Hancock
and Chaka Khan. A Day in the Life of
George Duke offered all year long on
his website Even rehearsal dates are
listed there. His massive festivals
including North Sea in Holland and
Montreaux in Switzerland .

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

continued on page 6

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 5

He even lists his travel days. And of
course at long last his first ever
appearance on the JazzTrax Live
Performance Stage here on Catalina
Island.
Raised in the San Francisco East Bay
city of San Rafael in his younger
years he formed a group with a young
singer named Al Jarreau. They
became the house band at San
Franciscos Half Note Club. Alumni of
San Francisco State University. The
George Duke Trio emerged in the late
60s. From his piano work with Jean
Luc Ponty he toured a year with Frank
Zappa and found himself on a PSA jet
flying to Los Angeles in the morning
and home the same night, so often, he
finally turned to his wife and said,
might as well move to L.A Then came
2 years with Cannonball Adderly who
introduced him to Stanley Clarke.
And thus the famous Clarke/ Duke
Project that gave us the huge 1983
pop hit Sweet Baby which George
composed. Finally starting his own
solo career in 1976.
Producing became his next forte,
including 3 albums
for Jeffrey
Osborne including the hits On the
Wings of Love and Stay with me
Tonight . And 2 Best Sellers for
Deniece Williams. Also a Grammy
winner for Diane Reeves and Rachelle
Ferrell.
Film, TV, Awards Shows,
appearances with Presidents, the list
goes on and on and on and on and on
and.his massive discography
spans 5 decades.

SATURDAY NIGHT
AFTER PARTY
After Party at Descanso
Beach Each Weekend
- dj Jonathan Phillips
& dancing on the
beach 'till 1am -

KYLE EASTWOOD
Debut Year 1998
www.KyleEastwood.com
Resides full time in Paris, l5 minute
walk from the Eiffel Tower, although
youre just as likely to see him eating
Lobster Tacos at the Sunset Towers
Hotel in Hollywood. Grew up the eldest son with Dad in Carmel and Mom
in Santa Monica. With his Cool Frame
and Great Name he has assembled
one of the Cream of todays musicians, including his musical composing partner Mike Stevens. Their sound
sitting almost exactly halfway between
traditional and contemporary jazz.
Kyle is increasing his work with his
famous actor father on the music for
Clint Eastwoods motion pictures. Kyle
instrumental in the most recent highly acclaimed movie Gran Torino. His
film scores also include Letters from
Iwo Jima 2006, Rails & Ties (2007),
An Unlikely Weapon (2008), Flags
of our Fathers 2006, Million Dollar
Baby 2004, Mystic River 2003, and
The Rookie 1990. On the long flights
between Europe and the States hes
likely reading scripts for his Dads
upcoming motion pictures.
Summers newest project was co- produced by Erin Davis, son of the late
Miles Davis. Come out to Art Goods
neck of the woods in Old La Quinta, to
the Hogsbreath Inn, 30 minutes east of
Palm Springs. The floor to ceiling
Murals of a young actor dressed as
Dirty Harry, TODAY look just like His

JazzTrax.com
son Kyle. The Monterrey Jazz Festival
which his Dad began attending since
it began in 1958 was a family outing.
Kyles childhood had jazz as its
soundtrack and he credits his father
with introducing him to the joys of the
bass line. He remembers his dad
teaching him how to play the left hand
bass line of Boogie Woogie while
he played the right hand solo over the
top. Paris Blue his 2nd release
climbed to No. l on the French Jazz
Charts in 2004. In recent years the
Kyle Eastwood Band has performed to
live audiences on 3 Continents receiving the highest critical acclaim.

FOUR 80 EAST
Debut Year 1997
www.Four80East.com
Their Live Stage Debut 2003 right
here in the Avalon Ballroom. Always
an in studio project until talked into
coming to Smooth Jazz Island. They
are Rob DeBoar and Tony Grace.
Canadian Smooth Jazz.
Internationally known for their indie
label/ production house. They are
also The BoomTang Boys of club music
fame in England. Musical Partners for
18 years they joke that they met
through E Harmony. Their most recent
hit Noodle Soup was actually one of
the first things they did together upon
meeting in the early 90s. Their
Toronto studio, named after 2 addresses ago.480 East something street,
their plate is full with other projects.
continued on page 7

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 6

Film, TV including the pop culture
show SWITCH and scoring a Lions
gate feature film, Death Warrior.
Originally conceived in studio in
1997 as a side project from the more
commercial pop music they had been
working on. The debut Four80East
project was first released in England
and simply called The Album. Begun
on a whim. The song Eastside
became the 7th most played track on
contemporary jazz radio in America
that year. Stylish set of late night
grooves.
Big Time Dads. They have 5 children
(all Boys) between the 2 of them.
After their 3rd CD, Round 3 gave
forth the JazzTrax most played song
Last Flight to L.A. the band started a
transition from only being a studio
project to Live on Stage Act. Their
world on stage live debut coming
when Art Good talked them into performing at the 2003 JazzTrax Festival.
Their studio has moved again. New
studio address ... 181 Suite 300A in
East Toronto. Theyll stick with simply
being Four 80 East.

JESSY J
Debut Year 2008
www.JessyJ.com
1st appeared here October 2006. 2
years before being named the 2008
JazzTrax Debut Artist of the Year. But
1st time in the Avalon Ballroom,
October 1994, having come to
JazzTrax still in Middle School, as a
teen-ager with her mom. Remembers

watching Rick Braun and Mindi Abair

on stage. When she arrived in 2006,
assuming since no one knew who she
was that shed be performing on some
side stage or in some bar. Only when
she got to the Casino did she realize
she would beon the Main Stage.
It all began by talking her way
BackStage to meet and try and talk
Paul Brown into Producing her. He
did, but he did one better by putting
her, on sax, into His Band. Next was
Singer Michael Bolton selecting her
for His Band. And then Guitars &
Saxes. A Whirlwind which she froze
for a moment earlier this year when
she bought a New Old School Selma
Mark 6 Tenor Sax from the 1950s.
Sister Sax to what Boney James uses.
Found it through Manny the Sax
Repairman for her and Boney. Uses 3
different saxes. A tenor and 2 sopranos. She still has her 1st sax, named
Henry for her 3rd grade crush.
Tequila Moon recorded on it. Listens
to I Pod on planes to go to sleep.
Mexican American by heritage, born
in the Portland, Oregon suburb of
Milwaukee. Then
growing up in
Southern California Cow Country, in
Hemet. She has now played extensively with 2 of Mexicos most popular
artists, Gloria Trevi the Madonna of
Mexico and Armando Manzanero
the Mancini of Mexico.
Her extraneous passion is Swimming.
Has a pool near the Rose Bowl she
commutes to when she can or on the
road Summers with Michael Bolton
she finds beaches in Greece or Spain
or Seas, the Aegean Sea to swim in
Croatia. That combined with being
named the 2008 JazzTrax Debut Artist
of the Year got her tagged last years
Smooth Jazz SPLASH.
In August
releasing her 2nd CD, titled True
Love. JazzTrax asked if that meant a
new romantic love. No. A new dog?
No. True Love being her passion..Music.

GAIL JHONSON
Debut Year 2004
www.GailJhonson.com
From hometown Philadelphia to
music career in L.A. Her Solo Debut
Keep the Music Playing released in
2004. But the opportunity knocked
in 2005 when Norman Brown asked
for not only her keys (keyboards in
his band) but to be his Music Director
for the Summer Storm Tour. Thats
what 1st brought her to Smooth Jazz
Island.
2008 brought her 2nd and most current CD. This Summers Storm included Gail, Chante Moore, Alex
Bugnon, Paul Taylor & of course
Norman the Man.
At the same time having created the
concept JAZZ IN PINK with Flautist
Althea Rene, and featuring some of
the top female instrumentalists with
Violinist Karen Briggs, Guitarist
Darlene Moreno, Harpist Mariea
Antoinette, and more. She will wrap
the year on a Christmas Tour with
Norman Brown & Mindi Abair.
Theres more. She coaches her teen
daughter in vocals and keys plus the
Praise & Glory Youth Band. Shes
written 2 books, Funk Keyboards &
Dictionary of Keyboard Grooves.

continued on page 8

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 7

JazzTrax.com
Door for artists he would later work
extensively with when he moved west
like
Russell
Ferrante
of
the
Yellowjackets. His solo career matched
the start of this festival, 1987.

JACKIEM JOYNER

GREGG KARUKAS

Debut Year 2007

www.JackiemJoyner.com

Debut Year 1987

www.Karukas.com

The JazzTrax 2007 Debut Artist of the

Year. But its what he did from that solo
Debut to his Double JazzTrax 2008 live
performances June in Big Bear Lake/
October here on the Island that had
everybody talking. From a fairly green
BabySoul one year to a
180%
improvement in showmanship and style
the next. Just one year that seemed in
growth to be 5. The title to his 2009
CD,Lil Man Soul coming from his touring days in the early 00s when Bobby
Lyle or Marcus Johnson would shout out
Give it Up for Lil Man Soul. Those
were his East Coast Days after being
born in Norfolk, Virginia and growing
up in Buffalo in up- state New York.

Trivia Question. When the Rippingtons

helped open the very first Catalina
Island JazzTrax Festival in 1987 who
was on keys? Youre reading his bio.
When Boney James arrived to play the
Avalon Ballroom who was on keys?
Youre good. He has arrived here with
countless artists. He even Music
Directed the only performances of Paul
Hardcastle & The Jazzmasters Music
ever performed live on stage. Along
with countless times his own name on
the marquee. And this year, just his initials, GK on the latest CD.

Having traveled with everything in the

car including young wife, to try and
make it in L.A., after settling just east in
the burb of Rancho Cucamonga,
Richard Elliot & Rick Braun took first
notice, signing him to their recently creNext Japanese
ated record label.
Keyboardist Keiko Matsui hired him on
to fill her sax man shoes. Forging a solo
career, simultaneous with still traveling
the world with Keiko lends towards
some wild scheduling. Since early
2007, coinciding with the start to his
own solo career also playing Keiko
dates in the Ukraine, Moscow, Istanbul,
Bucharest, Tokyo and elsewhere which
led him to title one new track, Round
the World.

Writes his music on a Disclavier.

Simply then pushes a button and the
thing plays back what hes just recorded. Recently moved to Thousand
Oaks, closer to the ocean where his
family loves to camp and above a
canyon filled with Coyotes.
He, Yvonne and the boys do much
Hiking, right out the back of their new
home. Oldest son Alex now nearly 15
and playing..Guitar. A quarter century now in the L.A. area after growing up in Maryland/ Washington D.C.
where his early influences were The
Beatles to Motown coming outa the
Jukebox in his fathers roadside tavern. At age l7, right out of Bowie High
School he joined with Tim Eyermann to
form East Coast Offering often the
opening show at the famous Cellar

EARL KLUGH
Debut Year 1978
www.EarlKlugh.com
He was one of the first Stars of Smooth
Jazz ever booked for this Island. He
and Spyro Gyra the 2 Saturday/
Sunday Headliners that Opening
JazzTrax year of 1987 and until this
fall of 09 Earl had not returned. True
Statesman of Contemporary Jazz.
Grammy nominated This Year under
Best Pop Instrumental for last years
The Spice of Life. His 12th career
Grammy nomination after winning a
Grammy in 1980 with Bob James for
their One on One collaboration.
Another famous collaboration in 1988
(titled Collaboration) with George
Benson was certified GOLD. That followed having worked in Bensons
Band for a year..at age 17. Which
followed his teen-age job working in a
local Detroit Music Shop and haunting
the Detroit Jazz Landmark, Bakers
Keyboard Lounge (remember the
Fabulous Baker Boys movie with Jeff
Bridges & Michelle Pfeiffer), accompanied on piano by.his mother.
Hes back after breaking a six year
recording hiatus in 2005 and a 9 year
break from full scale album production
continued on page 9

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 8

last year.. 33 albums in just 25 years.
Earl captures the Biggest Picture possible with his famed guitar while in his
spare time watching lots of Law &
Order reruns and downloading
movies to watch on his I-Pod.
Departing his long time hometown of
Detroit to reform his life in Atlanta in
2001 He starts each Atlanta day with
the Today Show Then walks his dog,
a Toy Poodlethen mailbox errands
just like everyone else. Then into his
home studio over the garage to play,
and write.

Culbertson Opening for AC royalty.Barry Manilow. Having begun

playing clarinet at age seven he
remembers spending time as a young
boy learning about the music industry
from his grandfather Otto Lington, a
Danish jazz pioneer and bandleader
for Shirley Bassey, Josephine Baker
and Fats Waller. That to This.
Launching his own Cigar company in
2006, MICHAEL LINGTON CIGARS.
In August he signed with Wine and
Jazz Magazine to write his own Cigar
Column.Cigar Stories. He can
light one up having earned the highest
of all JazzTrax Honors with his latest
release, HEAT. Named the JazzTrax
2008 Album of the Year.

MICHAEL LINGTON
Debut Year 1997
www.MichaelLington.com
Debonair Looks and Charisma to
Burn. 18 years after emigrating from
Denmark to America at Age 21, he
became a U.S. Citizen in March
2008. His major breakthrough coming
with singer Bobby Caldwell, whom he
played with from 1994 to 1998.
Sense something Regal about him.
well his stepfather was a drum
major for the Queens guard and
recently knighted.Michael performed at the Queen of Denmarks
celebration
in
50th
birthday
Copenhagen. And at the wedding of
Crown Prince Frederick, the countrys
future King, at Fredensborg Castle.
He played before His King.

JazzTrax.com

PHILLIP DOC MARTIN

Debut Year 2003
www.PhillipMartin.net
Born in Indianapolis. Schooled in
South Florida where he and Eric Darius
became acquainted. Introduced to the
saxophone by the Florida School
System.
He added on a biology
degree from the University of Central
Florida. Then completing a degree at
Howard
University
College
of
Dentistry. Upon graduation the decision to be made was whether to do
music full time or dentistry full time.
Even his Dad told him he had to
choose. Instead he said, No, I can do
both. Thus the Doc in the middle of his
name.

MATT MARSHAK
Debut Year 2001
www.MattMarshak.com
Native of Long Island who grew up on
Rock N Roll music in a house full of
musicians. Passing guitarists inspired
his muse through high school into a
lifelong commitment to his craft. Live
Shows, the Recording Studio and writing TV jingles (his guitar featured on
the New York Mets Mets Zone on Fox
Sports) and he conducts guitar clinics.
A supporter of multiple sclerosis and
autism awareness, he visits countless
schools to help spread the joy of music
to kids of all ages.

Washington D.C. gave him his best

opportunity to have a Dentistry
Practice AND do Music. It also gave
him the opportunity to meet Marcus
Johnson and end up on Marcus Three
Keys record label for his last CD. Still
in his mid 20s and just wrapping up
his first year as a Dentist. And coming
to Catalina Island to show the Left
Coast his stuff.
continued on page 10

Speaking of playing for Royalty hes

been this past summer with Brian

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 9

JazzTrax.com

tination. October 1994 Art Good ran

into the pair standing in the back of the
Ballroom watching Jeff Lorber. Theyd
paid to get in. Keiko asked Art who the
saxophonist was in Lorbers band. She
met him backstage and Paul Taylor then
blended into Keikos band and sound
for several years, returning for the saxophone melody on her huge 2007
radio hit Black River.

KEIKO MATSUI
Debut Year 1987
www.KeikoMatsui.com
Theres something new in Keikos life.
Oh, she did step out on her own as a
single mother a few years ago, but also
added Professor to her titles. Having
in August celebrated her 3rd anniversary as part of the faculty at the Tsuruga
College in Tokyo. Keiko is now a
Professor. 21 Albums Deep after her
stunning 1987 solo debut A Drop of
Water floored the emerging U.S.
smooth jazz world. Keiko first came to
the JazzTrax Island in 1989 and then
along with their Tokyo home, because
her married days she and husband
kept a 2nd home in Huntington Harbor
on the Southern California Coastline,
which included a Sailboat, they and
their young daughter Maya, began
sailing to Avalon as their getaway des-

10

Keiko accepted JazzTrax invitation to

stay a week in Summer and then a
week at Christmas 2008 at Hamilton
Cove on vacation. She still has a standing JazzTrax offer to return anytime and
if she wants to compose on the
JazzTrax Grand Piano, alone in the
Avalon Ballroom with no one around.
Thats how Moyo came to be which
included When I Close My Eyes, the
JazzTrax 2007 Song of the Year.
Going to Johannesburg, and each day
being driven 30 minutes out into the
countryside to compose all day, each
day on a different piano, in a South
African piano factory. While continuing to tour All Over the World, her full
home time base now Tokyo where
daughter Maya is now grown and into
dance and Mako is still growing
up.Keikos mind often wanders to the
ocean breezes of her favorite other
Island, her Adopted Island and the
sound of the ocean waves breaking up
on Hamilton Coves rocks.

NAJEE
Debut Year 1986
www.NajeeOnLine.com
No State Taxes sounded good enough
to get him to relocate permanently to
Orlando 7 years ago. Working from
a cozy home studio with closed windows because of the strong Eastward
Sun and good reason to stay inside
writing and recording with wild critters sometimes wandering out and
about. Like Wild Turkeys, Wild Boar,
Peacocks,
Wild
Bearand
Alligators. After first working with the
likes of Chaka Khan and then blowing
everything loose with his 1st 2 solo
projects going platinum in the late
80s, followed by 4 Gold.including
a Grammy.. after being born
Jerome Najee Rasheed in Queens,
New York. With the first half of his
continued on page 12

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

Catalina Islands Finest Family Run, Smoke Free Resort Hotel

Jazz Trax Weekend Packages starting at $249 per person

Including: Room for 3 nights Roundtrip boat to/from Catalina Island
Shuttle to hotel on arrival Welcome Champagne Hot Breakfast

The Seaport Village Inn is Catalina Islands finest Family Run, Smoke Free resort hotel, with a modern
Mediterranean feel, the friendliest, most welcoming staff, and a great Location less than a block from the Beach.
HOTEL AMENITIES INCLUDE:
Smoke Free environment
Outdoor Spa Sauna
Sunning Lawn
In-room massage
Wireless internet
Cable TV
Telephone
Hot Breakfast Daily
Friendliest Staff in Town
For more information & online reservations visit our website at www.catalinacatalina.com
or to contact us by Phone 310 510 0344 or 800 2 CATALINA 800 222 8254, Fax 310 510 1156
Package price is per person based on double occupancy. Some restrictions apply.

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 10

career produced by his own brother
Fareed. Couple years on sax in the
early 00s in Princes bandThe Hit
& Run Tour.
Talk about tasty flavoring to what will
be one of this years finest new effort.
Eric Benet singing and composing We
Gone Ride, on Najees late summer
release as well as Gary Taylor, and
R&B singer songwriter for Anita Baker
and Will Downing on Moon Over
Carolina. Also a couple tunes with Jeff
Lorber One More Thing, and Stolen
Glances, something that never hurts
any project. Plus the rising Smooth
Jazz Star Producer everyone seems to
be going to now, Darren Rhan (Denver
saxophonist appearing on the Island
with Tim Bowman) producing the hit
single Sweet Summer Nights.
Najee is as Silky Smooth as ever on a
Sweet Autumn Island Night. Probably
gonna make you want to Dance at
Midnight on a nearby Beach.

JazzTrax.com

Recording Artist in 2005 was the song

that served as his 2nd title track.
Pacific Coast Highway not only
soared to No. 1, but became one of the
years biggest radio hits. 7 weeks at
No. l. Written for the stretch of Highway
1 leaving L.A. and headed up through
Malibu to Ventura, Santa Barbara and
Beyond. Or perhaps the stretch of highway that takes a previously unnoticed
career and sends it skyward.
As Producer, Nils has created music for
TV (Weeds Showtime, Undeclared
Fox, Film Independent Spirit Awards
IFC) as well as Transmuteo and Journey
to Eden for Violinist DOV and produced the forthcoming CD of
AC/Pop/R&B group Gravity180 in
collaboration with Eddie Brown. He
created the Walk Ons and Walk Offs
for the recent Spirit Awards, the
Independent Oscars held in Santa
Monica before the Academy Awards.
He has started something for Radio
called Backstage with Nils.
All coming just a handful of years since
one of Los Angeles massive brushfires
came within a mile of wiping out his
home studio. He moved it all, came to
the Island and performed, then moved
it all back. Now he has created a
moveable studio to help alleviate
such future headache possibilities.

PIECES OF A DREAM
Debut Year 1979
www.PiecesMusic.com
These were Grovers young dudes.
They still look to the late Grover
Washington Jr. As much more than
their direct mentor. Pieces Keyboardist
James Lloyd began his piano lessons
at Age 6 from 89 year old Virginia
Elizabeth Griffith. Practice, Practice,
Practice. Hard work? He doesnt view
it that way. Considering other folks 9
to 5 jobs he considers this a blessing,
a dream job.
James met Drummer Curtis Harmon at
age 11. Same band room and they
remember the moment. Teacher was
Tony Williams. Based their name on
cover tune by Stanley Turrentine as
they emerged out of Philadelphias

15 minutes away from Catalina Island

NILS
Debut Years 1998 and 2005
www.NilsMusic.com
This German Guitarist flew into Los
Angeles (and boy were his arms tired)
from Germany in the late 80s.
Working for years as a Session
Guitarist with George Benson, Rick
Braun, and The Temptations, to name
a few.) He recorded a solo album in
1988 and then it appeared nothing
would change when it didnt get
noticed. What did get noticed and
what changed his vocation to Solo

12

Services Include:

Air Tours
Photo Flight
Charters
Day Packages
LA Dinner Tours

Call NOW
for reservations:

Toll-Free 1-800-2-AVALON
Fax (310) 510-9671
* Travel Agent Commission

HELICOPTER SERVICE

Daily flights available between Long

Beach, next to the Queen Mary,
San Pedro and Catalina Island.
We land minutes from Avalon.

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 12

music scene in 1976. Pieces back then
also
included
bassist
Cedric
Napoleon. Count Basie once proclaimed them a tough act to follow.
Teenagers that were swinging hard.
But it was the late Grover Wash. Jr.
who lived in Philly who first heard
them playing backup on a Philly TV
show called City Lights. One night
while still teenagers, playing at the
Bijou (where Grover recorded his Live
at the Bijou album, Grover sat in with
them to play Mr. Magic. The most
legendary sax man then made them
his first act for his new production
company while James Lloyd was still a
senior in high school. He then made
Pieces his own back-up band. They
found themselves IN GROVERS
BAND. Curtis is an avid pool shooter,
in the top 20% of shooters in Phillys
AP.A. league. 10 years now in
Youngstown, Ohio, James wrote and
produced half this years Walter
Beasley CD and 2007s Najee.

CRAIG SHARMAT
Debut Year 2009
www.scoredog.tv
I cant imagine making a film without
Craig Sharmat. Hes a brilliant composer, a tremendous collaborator and a
constant pleasure. I adore working with
him. So says Dori Bernstein.
Academy Award Nominated Director.
With your computer audio on, take a
visit through the Music of Craig at
www.ScoreDog.TV From music created for Orchestral TV Themes, including

Spiderman Universal City, and ABCs

Home Makeover Promo to Drama, to
Comedy, Jazz, Kids & Adventure,
Trailers/Ads and Promos for TS,
Romance, News, including NBC, CBS
and the WPRI Morning Theme, even
Dog Bones.
Migrating West from his hometown of
New York City, Vegas showrooms were
included along the way. Conducting for
Ronnie Laws and playing guitar for
Randy Crawford to finally becoming a
Hollywood film and television composer. First major gig was with the Disney
series Kids Incorporated. He has since
scored sports specials including ABCs
Greatest Moments of the U.S. Open
and NBCs Champions on Ice with Dick
Enberg, as well as Men in Black,
Dragon
Tales,
CatDog,
The
Adventures of Jackie Chan.
Craig stepped into the smooth jazz
world arranging and programming for
Rick Brauns Yours Truly and arranging strings for the Rick, Peter White,
Mindi Abair 2007 Christmas Album.
Now hes ventured into composing
music for games, having written for 3
Sony Playstation titles through Game
Audio Ltd. Scoring music most recently
for the Top rated show The Real
Housewives of New Jersey and Gotta
Dance. Hes also arranged for Yannis
Voices live tour and written jingles for
Disney, promo music for ABC, and
played guitar on Disneys America Idol
commercials. He has recorded for five
private orchestra libraries and played
on over a thousand TV episodes and
movies. He runs and operates the
Scoredog Music Library containing
over 2000 original pieces for media.
Craig has also co-authored 3 childrens
books for the Nate the Great Series.
He has also achieved professional tennis instructor status from the U.S.P.T.A.
Now he wants to add on Smooth Jazz
Artist and has released the song
Southern California Drivin with a full
album to follow in the coming months.
WHEW!!!

OLI SILK
Debut Year 2006
www.OliSilk.com
His first ticket to Catalina Island came in
2004 as Music Director and Keyboardist
for British Saxophonist James Vargas.
What happened to James? But look
whats happened to Sir Oli. Named the
JazzTrax 2006 Debut Artist of the Year
with his 2008 follow-up last fall birthing
his first Top 5 single.Chill or Be
Chilled. Peaking at No. 3. Subsequently
we all gave letters to sponsor this British
Keyboardist to spend half a year here in
the States. Arriving in May with no place
to stay, Peter White offered a bedroom at
his place in Sherman Oaks! Most smooth
jazz stars offer an up and comer a
chance to maybe play on a song or in
their band. Guess Brits stick together
cause from Peter, Oli got a bedroom. A
famed trumpeter did that one time for a
future famed keyboardist and couldnt
wait for the guests plane to return him
home. Quite the opposite here as Peter
says Olis stay has been simply delightful.
Born in 1979 in West London. He was
half of the UKs Sugar and Silk releasing 2 albums in the early 00s under that
name. Wears a Producers Hat with
James Vargas and Jaared. October
2006, Catalina Islands JazzTrax Live
Performance Stage, as has been the case
so many times over our 23 year history,
was again, this time for Oli, his DEBUT
showcase to America. For this young
man still in his 20s.the Limit appears to
truly be only the sky!
continued on page 14

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

13

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 13

80s. Hed originally switched, to better tackle the Acid Jazz grooves, but in
switching back he says it was like
playing Violin and then picking up a
Cello.. For his forthcoming early 2010
already completed CD he goes
Orchestral and Cinematic. With
chilled out, a jazz trio setting, orchestra and Chris Guitar right down the
middle. But cant open. Till AFTER
Christmas. Although he is bringing its
elements and Songs, yet unheard, to
the JazzTrax Live Performance Stage.

CHRIS STANDRING
Debut Year 1998
www.ChrisStandring.com
Initially spotted as Guitar Sideman for
Rick Braun and Marc Antoine.
Simultaneously coming forth in 1996
as part of the project SolarSystem.
This year releasing Main Course
which he recorded in 1989. His tunes
from Velvet were his first to be aired
on the JazzTrax Weekend Airwaves
and then Outa Nowhere honored with
the 2000 JazzTrax Album of the year
for Hip Sway. His next, Blue Bolero,
done and coming early 2010.
Grew up on a farm in Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire, England. Moving to
Los Angeles permanently in the early
90s because he was such a bad
farmer. His Farmer Dad actually kept
cows because he didnt like the price
of buying milk.
In the early 00s he founded A&R
Online (aandronline.com) a place for
aspiring musicians to get their music
heard and to learn about the industry.
His websites PlayJazzGuitar.com and
GuitarMadeSimple.com sell his popular interactive CD-ROM educational
guitar courses. For guitar aficionados
on his recent Love & Paragraphs CD
whos title track gave Chris by far his
biggest hit ever.riding the charts for
much of a full year and peaking at
No. 2, he put aside his longtime arch
top Benedetto and brought forth 2
Fender Strats for the first time since the

14

JazzTrax.com
Storm. Now this Summer having
formed with Michael Lington and
Marion Meadows, the triple Sax
Burnin Gentlemen of the Night
Tour. Even as his 2007 hit Ladies
Choice was riding the Top 10 charts
for months, another track, How Did
You Know featuring R&B Singer
Regina Belle, crossed over to the Top
20 Urban AC chart.
Burnin chosen for his new summer
CD title because no other word better
represented what Pauls Saxophone
does. Follow-up to his 2007 first ever
No. l on the Billboard Contemporary
Sales Chart. And the first to be recorded
primarily
with
his
Tenor
Saxophone, simply because his Alto
Sax got banged up during the flight to
New York. Damn baggage handlers
or perhaps they knew.

PAUL TAYLOR
Debut Year 1996
www.PaulTaylorSax.com
Discovered here in the Avalon
Ballroom in 1994 by Keiko Matsui.
Jeff Lorber hired Paul to play sax for
him on Jeffs Catalina Island JazzTrax
date after using him for one recording
session. They rehearsed, did the gig
and then never worked together again
until the recent Groovin for Grover
Tours. But that one evening in the
Avalon Ballroom was all it took to propel Paul into Smooth Jazz Stardom. By
pure coincidence Keiko Matsui was in
the room that night as a festival goer.
From his Denver high school garage
band Mixed Company. To having
lived now in Las Vegas since graduating as a Music Major from UNLV.
Since his years in Keiko Matsuis Band
hes also served briefly with the
Rippingtons. Done Groovin for
Grover. Norman Browns Summer

KIM WATERS
Debut year 1989
www.KimWaters.net
Along with his sax work he has
announced that he is the co-owner and
Vice President of a new cognac
brand, Celebrity Jazz Cognac.
Being imported from France and distributed by Republic Distribution
Company. An award-winning Cognac
available since August in 27 states.
continued on page 15

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

Appearing on Smooth Jazz Island... continued from page 14

However Al hired Peter in 1975 initially as a keyboardist. Suddenly he
found himself opening with Al for the
likes of Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel and
Queen at age 20. Al and Peter cowrote Time Passages together.
The music of fellow Brits Acoustic
Alchemy inspired Peter to forge his
own solo career after l5 years as a
backup artist. He first met Nick Webb
& Greg Carmichael backstage here at
JazzTrax in the Avalon Ballroom. This
his 3rd Unplugged Appearance.

PETER WHITE
Debut Year 1990
www.PeterWhite.com
Younger brother Danny, still musical
partners with Basia, also her former
boyfriend (all her great lyrics and passion came from their romantic breakup). Danny pitched JazzTrax on his
brother, telling Art Good late winter
1990 to look for a solo debut by the
then guitar front man for Al Stewart
(solo guitar on Year of the Cat). That
debut Reivellezvous was so highly
received nearly 20 years ago by
JazzTrax it was named Album of the
Year. Peter arrived the following year
(Basia had him on tour all of 90)
1991 for 2 back to back performances as the JazzTrax Festival expanded
to 2 weekends with identical line-ups
each weekend. Peter again recently
reminded that October 9l on the
Avalon Ballroom JazzTrax Live
Performance Stage was his Big Stage
Solo Debut.
His September 2009 Brand New is his
1st with original material since 2004.
Peters legendary star studded career
all began in the sleepy little English
town of Letchworth Garden City, in the
60s listening to the Beatles on the
radio. Working factory jobs until landing his first musical engagement playing an English holiday resort Summer
of 1974. Briefly he joined a group
called Principal Edwards Magic
Theatre before a member of that group
recommended him to Al Stewart.

At his first Wrigley Ranch date (seemingly in the Middle of Nowhere on

the far side of the Island) Peter
stepped up to the microphone and
stated. On my list of 10 Most Unusual
Places or Venues Ive ever performed
in, I believe 9 of the 10 belong to Art
Good!

final home game ever played at the

historic OLD Yankee Stadium Sept.
21, 2008 where for l6 seasons he
roamed the Outfield and planted
many balls over the outfield fences
himself. His 2nd solo project includes
a guitar rendition of Take Me Out to
the Ballgame (opening with the
famous voice of the Yankees recently
retired forever announcer introducing
No. 31 Bernie Williams to bat next.
Opening Day 2009 Bernie sat on a
chair in center field and performed the
song live to a packed ballpark, just
before the first ever pitch of the brand
new Yankee Stadium. Witnessed by
Art & Austin Good who were in the
stands for this Bernie Moment. He
played his entire 16 year career in
Yankees Pin Stripes. 1991 to 2006.
Ranks among the Yankees All Time
Leaders in every major batting category. Also earned four Gold Gloves.
His playing now taps his long love of
Salsa and Blues from his teen years at
the Escuela Libre de Musica High in
San Juan even as he was drawing the
attention of major league scouts. His
brother Hiram makes an appearance
on the CD as a cellist. Career batting
average of .308 including the 1998
American League Batting Title.

BERNIE WILLIAMS
Debut Year 2003
www.BernieWilliams.com
Hung up his Bat and Mitt after 16 seasons as a New York Yankee All Star
Center Fielder to become full time Jazz
Guitarist. A 1st solo CD coming while
still in pinstripes. His 2nd this past
April includes a special live performance for a Joe Torre Foundation with
Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa on
Glory Days. Bernie played in 6
World Series, winning 4, including 5
All Star Game appearances. Native of
Puerto Rico he played his guitar at the

24th Annual
Catalina Island
JazzTrax Festival
First 3 Weekends of October
Thursday Night Unplugged Under
the Stars at the Wrigley Ranch
Sept 30th October 7 October 14
Use Ticket Order Insert
in this Program to
Order NOW for October 2010

Return by Nov. 1st and keep same

exact seats or tables from this Fall

80th Anniversary Avalon Ballroom...Since 1929...23rd Annual JazzTrax Festival...Since 1987

15