Jazz festival slated for Fourth
The July Fourth holiday weekend has taken on a new meaning for Ron Cadrette. But it’s not the fireworks or the picnics that have him excited. Cadrette can’t wait for the upcoming second annual “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Jazz,’ scheduled for July 4-7 at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa.
As general manager of the posh resort on Route 40 in Farmington, Cadrette said the festival is quickly becoming a personal favorite of his.
“We had such a good time last year. I’m really looking forward to it again this year’ said Cadrette. “The music was great and the musicians were all such good guys to work with. I’m sure we’ll have a great time again this year.’
Cadrette noted that while the festival has been cut back in terms of days from five to four, there shouldn’t be any dropoff in terms of quality as there will be 14 separate shows with 12 performers, including such jazz greats as the Spyro Gyra band, trumpet player Maynard Ferguson, singer Karrin Allyson and piano player Ahmad Jamal.
“We did cut back one day because July Fourth fell on a Wednesday last year, and this year it’s on a Thursday,’ said Cadrette. “But overall we felt that this year’s lineup is as good as last year’s if not better. We’re really grateful to Al Dowe for putting the schedule together. He did another great job.’
Cadrette pointed out that the festival will also feature trombone players Harold Betters and Dowe, both Fayette County natives, as well as a number of stellar performers from the Pittsburgh area, including Billy Price, Kenny Blake, Etta Cox, Sandy Dowe and Roger Humphries and his Big Band.
He noted that Jamal, a legendary jazz piano player, is also from Pittsburgh.
“Pittsburgh has such a rich history of jazz, and we feel it’s important to honor that,’ said Cadrette. “We’re pleased that we were able to get so many of the best jazz players from Pittsburgh to come here.
“Of course we’re hoping that a lot of jazz fans from Pittsburgh will come to the festival, but we feel that with this lineup we’ll be able to attract jazz fans from other big cities too such as Washington , D.C., Baltimore, Boston and New York.’
Cadrette noted that the resort is fortunate to be located within driving distance from such major cities and considers that as one of the reasons why it has done so well in the wake of Sept. 11.
“Everyone felt the initial shock of Sept. 11,’ said Cadrette. “No one was going anywhere for awhile. But then we started picking up and we had the best November and December that we ever had and we had a very strong first quarter this year.
“There are a lot of people who are choosing to drive instead of fly and that works out well for us because we’re within an eight-hour drive of 50 percent of the population in the United States.’
In fact, Cadrette hopes the emphasis on driving could give a boost to attendance at the festival which he admitted, “wasn’t as strong as we hoped’ last year.
But Cadrette said some of the problems were attributed to the late start in planning and also the fact that the festival was in its first year.
“Everyone told us that it’s very difficult to get a big crowd the first year you have a jazz festival,’ said Cadrette. “But we’re hoping that people know us better now and know what to expect here. Overall, we were very pleased with the festival last year, and we’re certain we’ll draw better this year.’
Cadrette said the festival was also fine-tuned a bit with some adjustments. For one thing, he said, no seminars will be held this year, noting they weren’t well attended last year. The other major change, he said, is that all events have been moved inside. Last year, two concerts were held outside.
“We just had some problems with the weather last year and we figured it would safer to hold everything inside this year,’ said Cadrette. “People coming to the festival this year won’t have to worry about the weather and whether it’s going to rain or not.’
One thing, though, that hasn’t changed about the festival is that like last year a portion of the proceeds will benefit Every Child Inc. Located in Pittsburgh, the agency tries to ensure that all children grow up in a safe, loving and lasting family by providing family support services, special needs adoptions and foster family care.
“We’re very pleased to be working with Every Child again,’ said Cadrette. “They do such a good job of working with children and families. It’s a real joy to help them.’
Cadrette said that aiding such a worthy agency only makes the festival more meaningful for himself and others at Nemacolin Woodlands, including the resort’s owners Joseph A. Hardy Sr. and his daughter, Maggie Hardy Magerko.
“On behalf of the owners and management of Nemacolin Woodlands, we are proud to again be part of such an exciting musical event that benefits such a worthwhile cause,’ said Cadrette.
“The festival is so much fun and then to think that it benefits Every Child and all the children that it works with. It’s just wonderful’ added Cadrette. “We even had some of our guests last year get involved with the agency and their adoptions. And really the biggest benefit of all is to get a child placed with a loving family. That’s worth millions alone.’