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| Sérgio Mendes |
The Punta Gorda Wine
& Jazz Festival, a local Chamber of Commerce production with a loyal
following from near and far, continues to evolve. This is a good thing.
The event began seven years ago
as a one-day showcase for smooth jazz, i.e., instrumental pop. The headliners
in February were alto saxophonist Mindy Abair, British guitarist Peter White
and The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman. But the festival also added a
midday Sunday mainstream jazz brunch this year that quickly sold out – and
showed that festival attendees have big ears. (A hearty thanks to the brunch
sponsor and moving force, Brian Presley of Presley Bean Financial Services, for
making the event happen.)
The Sunday brunch, featuring
eight local performers, preceded a second afternoon concert at Laishley Park by
local island rocker Jim Morris. The latter show was poorly attended. That was
no surprise since the weather was iffy and
you can hear Morris in town gratis at one venue or another just about every
week.
The schedule for the eighth
annual festival is just out, and while it still relies heavily on the
smoothies, organizers have added a strong new element to the Saturday bill and recast the Sunday concert
at Laishley Park on Charlotte Harbor.
The lineup for Saturday,
February 16, 2013 includes trumpeter Rick Braun, saxophonist Richard Elliott and Sérgio Mendes of Brazil ‘66 fame. Mendes (pictured) brings
a new flavor to the festival with his blend of bossa nova, jazz and funk. The mainstream
brunch is back on Sunday the 17th and will be followed by Abair in
her fifth consecutive Punta Gorda appearance.
The festival truly will have
evolved in a big way when there is also mainstream jazz in the main stage mix
at the park.
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