Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1047605
Veteran Music Promoter Sandy Shore Brings Smooth Jazz to Carmel for Valentine's Day 2019 B Y M I C H A E L C H AT F I E L D 174 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 8 W hat exactly is "smooth jazz" music and why is it so W popular? Wikipedia is not a source typically trusted popular? Wikipedia is not a source typically trusted by reputable journalists, but the site offers this defi- by reputable journalists, but the site offers this defi- by reputable journalists, but the site offers this defi- nition that's as good as any: "music that evolved from nition that's as good as any: "music that evolved from a blend of jazz fusion and easy listening pop music, featuring a polished a blend of jazz fusion and easy listening pop music, featuring a polished pop feel with little to no jazz improvisation." pop feel with little to no jazz improvisation." It's safe to say that the genre is easily accessible to a wide range of lis- It's safe to say that the genre is easily accessible to a wide range of lis- teners; it doesn't challenge the ears in the manner some "pure" jazz can. teners; it doesn't challenge the ears in the manner some "pure" jazz can. But there's no doubt that it is popular. The streaming web service smooth- But there's no doubt that it is popular. The streaming web service smooth- jazz.com, co-founded by Monterey Peninsula native Sandy Shore and jazz.com, co-founded by Monterey Peninsula native Sandy Shore and partner Donna Phillips, has millions of listeners. Countless cruises, con- partner Donna Phillips, has millions of listeners. Countless cruises, con- certs and festivals all over the world are dedicated to the form, attended certs and festivals all over the world are dedicated to the form, attended by avid sellout crowds everywhere. by avid sellout crowds everywhere. by avid sellout crowds everywhere. Shore produced a number of those concerts herself here between Shore produced a number of those concerts herself here between 1995 and 2003. Among the artists she presented were Tower of Power, 1995 and 2003. Among the artists she presented were Tower of Power, The Rippingtons, Acoustic Alchemy, Diana Krall, George Benson and The Rippingtons, Acoustic Alchemy, Diana Krall, George Benson and The Rippingtons, Acoustic Alchemy, Diana Krall, George Benson and Fourplay, an early standard bearer of the smooth jazz movement that Fourplay, an early standard bearer of the smooth jazz movement that included renowned pianist Bob James and bassist Nathan East. Now, she's included renowned pianist Bob James and bassist Nathan East. Now, she's is putting her promoter hat back on to present Sandy Shore's Jazz is putting her promoter hat back on to present Sandy Shore's Jazz Weekender on Valentine's Day weekend, February 14-16 at Quail Lodge Weekender on Valentine's Day weekend, February 14-16 at Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley. in Carmel Valley. The Jazz Weekender is anything but a typical jazz—or any kind of— The Jazz Weekender is anything but a typical jazz—or any kind of— The Jazz Weekender is anything but a typical jazz—or any kind of— festival. Shore has par tnered with East to present what she calls festival. Shore has par tnered with East to present what she calls "curated music sets" that pair a house band, led by a bassist, with "curated music sets" that pair a house band, led by a bassist, with headliners Boz Scaggs, Maysa, Althea Rene, Rick Braun, Vincent Ingala headliners Boz Scaggs, Maysa, Althea Rene, Rick Braun, Vincent Ingala and Lindsey Webster. and Lindsey Webster. California-based bassist extraordinaire Nathan East has an incredibly California-based bassist extraordinaire Nathan East has an incredibly California-based bassist extraordinaire Nathan East has an incredibly impressive resume. As his website states, "You've been listening to Nathan impressive resume. As his website states, "You've been listening to Nathan