Clearwater Jazz Holiday....

For fans of straight-ahead and mainstream jazz, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday isn't much help this year, either: For the fest's 30th annivesary edition, organizers said yes to loads of smooth jazz (Boney James, Chris Botti, Al Jarreau), yes to a great New Orleans R&B/funk band, the Neville Brothers, yes to quite a few talented local jazz musicians, and no to much in the way of major, nationally known jazz artists.


The Marcus Roberts Trio, with pianist Roberts joined by bassist Roland Guerin and drummer Jason Marsalis, is the sole exception to that rule, although monster upright and electric bassist Brian Bromberg sort of counts as high-quality jazz, too, although he too often leans smooth.