Jazz Trax Returns to Santa Catalina Island, California

Aug. 25, 2009 - PRLog -- CONTACT:Maris Somerville            
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23rd ANNUAL…SINCE 1987 CATALINA ISLAND JAZZTRAX FESTIVAL FEATURES THREE WEEKENDS OF LIVE SMOOTH JAZZ ON THE ISLAND RETREAT OF SANTA CATALINA
Avalon Ballroom Celebrates it’s 80th Anniversary with the Stars of Smooth Jazz

AVALON, CATALINA Island, Calif. – Tickets are available on-line at www.JazzTrax.com  for the 23rd Annual Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival kicking off Thursday-Sunday, October 1 with an Unplugged Concert and Barbeque on the far side of the Island, at the Wrigley Ranch. The event is followed by three days and evenings in the 80 year old Avalon Ballroom….looking out to Sea – October 2, 3, and 4 -- of top-of-the-line performances by some of  smooth jazz’s greatest names and every year the breaking of an upcoming future star or two.  The Festival continues over two more consecutive four-day weekends, Thursday-Sunday, October 8, 9, 10, and 11, and Thursday-Sunday, October 15, 16, 17, and 18, thrilling Ballroom Audiences with the World Biggest Stars in Smooth Jazz.

Unplugged Concerts at the Ranch are among the highlights of this year’s jazz extravaganza.  Tickets include a new behind-the-scenes tour of the Casino, jazz performance just after nightfall, ranch style dinner in the Courtyard of the Wrigley Ranch at dusk, with a stop on the way for hor deuvres at the world famous Airport in the Sky, and return trip across the top of the Island after dark, witnessing Disneyland fireworks while traversing the 1,000 ft. top-of-the-Island elevation.   Performing Unplugged Artists are Legendary Guitarist Peter White, October 1; Raging Saxophonist Mindi Abair, October 8; and Lovely Japanese Keyboardist Keiko Matsui, October 15.  All in an amazingly intimate
Unplugged Setting.

The 3-Weekend JazzTrax line-up features over 30 illustrious smooth-groove practitioners creating an exclusive retreat for jazz lovers.  Attendees at this year’s series will hear such luminaries as Earl Klugh, 2009 Grammy nominee for best pop instrumental album; fresh new saxophonist Jackiem Joyner; Former NY Yankee turned Smooth Jazz Guitarist, Bernie Williams; and Clint Eastwood's Bassist Son, Kyle Eastwood, the Godfather of Smooth Jazz George Duke, French Canadian Guitarist Jesse Cook who himself made his U.S. Debut on this Island in 1995, and so many many more.

Each JazzTrax Weekend includes a Free Late Night After Party each Saturday Night at Descanso Beach with music by live DJ, from 10:45 pm to 1:00 am, dancing on the beach at Midnight.

It’s easy to book on line without waiting for an operator at www.jazztrax.com where you can see the whole line up of jazz greats, and interactive table and seating plans for viewing and choosing seats and link for picture pages, boats, accommodations and more. Or, call 866-Trax Tix at 866-872-9849 for details and phone booking.  Catalina Express is running late night boats on Saturday & Sunday Evenings for Day Trippers.   Catch an entire day of
Performances and even ride back to Long Beach with the Evening Stars of Smooth Jazz on board your boat   For information and reservations, visit www.CatalinaExpress.com or call 800-429-4601.

Stay at one of Catalina’s premier hotels during JazzTrax-- Hotel Villa Portofino, 888-510-0555 (California), 310-510-0555; www.HotelVillaPortofino.com; or Santa Catalina Island Company’s Pavilion Lodge or Hotel Atwater, 800-626-1496.  For information on all special events, call 800-626-4804 or visit www.VisitCatalinaIsland.com

In all the World…No Place Like This..for Jazz!   On an Island…26 Miles off the Southern California Coastline…in a tiny seaport village….called…..Avalon.

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Somerville Associates is a full-service, Los Angeles-based public relations agency, serving business-to-consumer and business-to-business clients. Hospitality and travel are specialties of Somerville Associates.