Clearwater Jazz Holiday
A Tradition that Keeps on Giving
Thirty-six years ago, a group of
volunteers began the Clearwater
Jazz Holiday to help promote
our community. That effort has
evolved into a magical and magnetic
destination experience with an incredible
community of support.
“The true magic stems from a cast of
dreamers and volunteers who shape and
deliver a one-of-a-kind experience year
after year,” offers Steve Weinberger,
CEO of the Clearwater Jazz Holiday
Foundation, “The CJH family of partners,
board members, and lead volunteers (“Jazz
Force”) is a special group. Over the years,
many deeply dedicated and passionate
believers have left unique, lasting marks.
Over 36 years, that family has grown into
a thriving community of support with
unbelievable connectivity and a shared
passion for music and education outreach.”
The buzz, energy, and experience of
Clearwater Jazz Holiday is infectious. As a
result, it has become a tradition of partners
from the public and private sectors and
the arts community collaborating and
contributing to the success of the festival
and its annual programs. Lynn Fuhler,
the 1991 Jazz Force chair, reminisces, “I
have some of the fondest memories of Jazz
Holiday and particularly the people who
served on the Jazz Force. I’ve always been
amazed at how different people remember
the years they attended or volunteered,
too. Some know it by the poster design
and others know it by the entertainers.”
“The festival is a Clearwater treasure,”
adds Nancy Kaylor, who was instrumental
in launching and growing the Foundation.
“A few of us were determined not to let
such a great event and tourism/economic
booster die and created a foundation to
carry it forward. At the time, someone
described us as having ‘more guts than
sense.’ We can now all take pride in
Clearwater Jazz Holiday and remember
fondly the amazing teamwork and
camaraderie it generated.”
“The festival changed over the years,”
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says Donna Yarbrough, longtime
Foundation board member who has been
to every Jazz Holiday since its inception
in 1980. “For starters, the music! The
festival has a wonderful straight ahead
jazz tradition, which has evolved into a
multi-genre celebration.”
Looking back at early lineups, you can
see an impressive list of jazz legends, such
as Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Dizzie
Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, and
the Count Basie Orchestra, to name only
a few. On the other hand, the festival’s
modern-day lineup is diverse and covers
a wide array of musical styles: straight
ahead and smooth jazz, swing, blues,
“jamband,” folk, rock, Americana, funk,
and Zydeco. It has featured a combination
of legends and stars in the making, from
Tony Bennett, Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago,
Bonnie Raitt, The Neville Brothers, Chick
Corea, Tower of Power, Dr. John, Little
Feat, George Benson, Herbie Hancock,
Stanley Clarke, Kenny G, Poncho Sanchez,
| SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
Natalie Cole, Buddy Guy, Sheryl Crow,
and Gladys Knight to Trombone Shorty
& Orleans Avenue, Medeski, Martin &
Wood, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, The
Avett Brothers, Brandi Carlile, Esperanza
Spalding, Marcus Roberts, Christian
McBride, Amos Lee, Langhorne Slim
& The Law, and Edward Sharpe & the
Magnetic Zeros.
Yarbrough continues, “There is truly
something for everyone. We had dreams
back then of growing the event to make
every night a Saturday night. Every
night is now packed with big energy and
wonderful performers. I have just loved
watching the lineup evolve, but still pay
tribute to the festival’s incredible jazz
heritage.”
The Foundation’s impact throughout
the year is perhaps equally as exciting,
having been recognized by the Clearwater
Regional Chamber of Commerce with its
2016 Judge’s Choice Award for Nonprofit
of the Year, by Tampa Bay Magazine as
MAURSITC
The Clearwater Jazz Holiday in its beginning