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Seabreeze Jazz Festival to Showcase Top Names in Smooth Jazz in Panama City Beach, FL for the Ultimate Weekend of Smooth Jazz April 18-22nd
SOURCE: MARK CARTER
2012 Seabreeze Jazz Festival® Announces Lineup for Weekend of Smooth Jazz in Panama City Beach April 18-22nd Presented by ResortQuest® by Wyndham Vacation Rentals
Panama City Beach, FL: The coastal beach setting of Panama City Beach will come alive April 18th-22nd for the 2012 Seabreeze Jazz Festival® Presented by ResortQuest® by Wyndham Vacation Rentals. The event returns for it's 14th season of live jazz performances to the Aaron Beasant Park Amphitheater adjacent to Pier Park in Panama City Beach, FL.
Known across the nation as "the ultimate weekend of smooth jazz," the festival has become synonymous in combining fun in the sun with top-notched national contemporary jazz entertainment. The setting of Pier Park and Panama City Beach compliments the experience with beautiful white sandy beaches, emerald-green waters, great shopping and dining, together with an abundance of activities for just about every taste. It's like the best in smooth jazz meets your "dream" beach vacation getaway!
The 2012 Lineup features Dave Koz, Brian Culbertson, Fourplay, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Down To The Bone, Phil Perry, Nick Colionne, Mindi Abair, Four 80 East, Maysa, Jeff Golub, Cindy Bradley, Jeff Lorber, David Pack, Eric Darius Alexander Zonjic, Brian Simpson, Althea Rene,' Shilts, Urban Jazz Coalition, Karen Briggs, Matt Marshak, Gail Jhonson, Mariea Antoinette, Vincent Ingala, Chris Geith, and Street Corner Renaissance.
To add excitement and an element of comedy to this year's show, the Seabreeze Jazz Festival Host for 2012 will be comedian Alonzo Bodden—known for his specials on SHOWTIME® and his appearance on NBC-TV's Last Comic Standing. Alonzo Bodden has recently hosted the Smooth Jazz Cruise to rave reviews as well.
Named as "One of the Top 10 Jazz Festivals in the USA" by JazzIZ Magazine and a "Top 100 Event in North America" by the North America Tour Bus Association, the 2012 event promises to be as exciting as ever. Over 25,000 fans attended in 2011, traveling from 48 US states and six countries to take part this annual music event. A Smooth Jazz Dinner Cruise, a free Kick Off show at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, four days of non-stop live entertainment on stage at Pier Park, and an upbeat weekend After-Parties are set to entice "sun lovers" and music fans alike.
The 2012 lineup reflects many of the top charting smooth jazz artists for 2011 and 2012, with an emphasis on not just "the hits," but musical variety and diversity. The synergy of the performances is the secret to the festival's success with fans, many who travel from all over the USA to reconnect with friends and celebrate "the smooth jazz lifestyle."
More than must instrumental music, The Seabreeze Jazz Festival® lineup reflects the diversity of vocal acts including R & B/smooth jazz favorites Phil Perry and Maysa, along with singer/songwriter David Pack known for his Top 40/Pop hits with the band Ambrosia. Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue make their first appearance at the event, though a well- known top act headlining the New Orleans Heritage and Jazz Fest. And more women than ever are represented on the festival stage in 2012 with the addition of "Jazz In Pink"—an all- ladies jazz ensemble featuring trumpeter Cindy Bradley, flutist Althea Rene,' jazz violinist Karen Briggs, keyboardist Gail Jhonson, and even a jazz harpist (Maria Antoniette).
"We are always delighted by the Seabreeze Jazz Festival® line-up, but this year, we are thrilled with not only the diversity of performers, but with the sheer volume of contemporary jazz stars, both new and established men and women! The Seabreeze Jazz Festival® is truly the country's best Smooth Jazz event and we're so excited to be affiliated with the event for 8 years!" ~Sandy Shore—President, SmoothJazz.com
Tickets are on sale now at $80 per single day, $150 for a Weekend Pass good for Friday- Sunday, and $200 for a Four Day Pass. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.seabreezejazzfestival.com or by phone at 800-595-4849. Beginning March 1st, local ticket outlets in Northwest Florida include Coastal Market at Pier Park in Panama City Beach, Kitchenique in Destin at City Market, and Playground Music Center in Ft. Walton Beach.
Special hotel accommodation packages are also available through the festival's supportive hotel sponsors. Presenting Sponsor and featured festival accommodations partner ResortQuest® is offering free shuttle service from select ResortQuest® properties for the best jazz festival experience ever. Call 888-416-5493 for reservations or see the entire listing of hotels and special offers at seabreezejazzfestival.com.
A toll-free information hotline is available for details at 800-653-7519. Complete lineup, tickets, and schedule information is online at seabreezejazzfestival.com with weekly updates on Facebook keywords "seabreeze jazz festival."
General Admission seating is lawn seating so attendees need to bring a lawn chair or a blanket as event is festival seating. No alcohol allowing inside or glass containers. A cash bar will be available inside the venue. Only small personal insulated totes no taller than 12 inches high allowed inside. See website for additional restrictions.
The 2012 Seabreeze Jazz Festival® presented by ResortQuest® by Wyndham Vacation Rentals is also sponsored by The Smooth Jazz Cruise, The Panama City Beach Visitor's and Convention Bureau, Pier Park, Quality BMW, Fly VPS, Smooth Jazz.com, Smooth Lounge.com, Sterling Resorts, Lake Town Wharf, Oaseas Resorts, The Panama City News Herald, The Northwest Florida Daily News, PCB Daily.com, SoWal.com, Creative Gems of Panama City and WSBZ Radio The Seabreeze 106.3FM.
Festival Seabreeze Jazz Festival Mark Carter