JazzFest returns to Nemacolin Woodlands for third year
The way Al Dowe sees it, the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa is the perfect place to have a jazz festival. “The place is so beautiful. The setting and everything is perfect. It’s just a great place to have a jazz festival,’ said Dowe, a Connellsville native, who runs the popular Dowe’s on Ninth jazz club in downtown Pittsburgh.
“I really enjoy going up there, and I can’t wait to go up there this year. We have a great lineup that I’m sure people will enjoy,’ added Dowe, who knows something about the lineup since he’s in charge of booking the acts for the third annual JazzFest scheduled for July 4-6 at the posh resort.
And while Nemacolin Woodlands might be the best place to have a jazz festival, it’s also the only local jazz festival in Southwestern Pennsylvania with the demise of the Mellon Jazz Festival and the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild’s annual jazz festival.
“We’re the only local jazz festival left and that should help us,’ said Ron Cadrette, general manager for Nemacolin Woodlands. “We’re hoping that all the jazz fans out there in the area will come up here for the festival.’
Dowe attributed the failure of the other festivals to weak lineups, which failed to interest jazz fans in the area.
“The Mellon Jazz Festival went downhill when they started booking people like Tony Bennett, who isn’t a real jazz musician. Tony Bennett’s a great singer, but he’s not a jazz singer,’ said Dowe.
“You have to book very wisely with jazz festivals. You have to bring jazz musicians in who people want to see. We’ve tried to be very careful about who we book for our festival and that’s why it’s been a success.’
However, Cadrette cautions that more growth in attendance is needed for the JazzFest to really succeed.
“We saw a small growth in attendance last year from the first year, but we need to see more of an increase this year,’ said Cadrette.
He said Joe Hardy, the owner of Nemacolin Woodlands, is committed to having a music festival, but the focus could change from jazz to blues or some other type of music in the coming years.
“When we started the Jazz Fest, we had a three-year business plan and this is the third year, so we’ll be evaluating things at the end of this year. There are a couple of things we’ll be looking at. We have to determine if the July Fourth weekend is the best weekend for a jazz festival or if we need to take a look at another type of music festival.
“We’ll sit down when everything’s over and evaluate it,’ added Cadrette.
Cadrette noted that several changes have been made this year with hopes of drawing more people.
For one thing, he said, the festival is offering several free shows featuring Pittsburgh’s best jazz musicians, including Connellsville’s legendary trombone player Harold Betters. Other complimentary shows will feature the Ron Bickel Trio, the Kenny Blake Quartet, the Roger Humphries Band and the Latin jazz band Orchestra Tropical.
Unlike past years, when customers had to pay separate prices for shows, Cadrette said the performances are being packaged together, giving jazz lovers more music for their money.
“We’ve worked at trying to make the shows more affordable so that more people can come,’ said Cadrette. “We really feel that people are going to get their money’s worth with the price of tickets for our shows.’
Cadrette said several numerous events have also been added in an attempt to draw different people to the festival, which is being sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for the first time.
He said there will be a wine-tasting event along with music from the Sandy Dowe Trio and a Cooking With Jazz program featuring Frank Cunimondo.
On Saturday afternoon, an Old-Time Carnival and All American Cookout will feature the Caribbean Vibes Steel Band, followed by Latin dance instructions and a Latin jazz concert by Orchestra Tropical.
“We’ve tried to open things up a little more and make it fun for everyone,’ said Cadrette. “This has always been a family festival and that’s especially true this year with the carnival and cookout. That should really be a lot of fun for the kids.’
In addition, Cadrette said a jazz brunch will be held on Sunday morning with music provided by the Etta Cox Trio.
Cadrette noted that as in the past, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Every Child Inc, a social service agency in Pittsburgh that tries to help low-income children through adoption and foster care.
Another charity has been added this year, said Cadrette. He said that Hardy has committed to contributing $5 for every concert ticket purchased by a Rotarian to Rotary International’s PolioPlus campaign, which is designed to eradicate polio.
Local Rotarians interested in purchasing a ticket should contact their club officers for more information.
“We’re glad to have the Rotarians involved this year. It’s a good organization that does a lot for the community,’ he added. “And we’re glad to welcome back Every Child. Last year, we actually had an adoption because of the JazzFest and that’s really the best feeling in the world.’
For more information about purchasing tickets for the shows contact 877-988-5125. More information is also available at the resort’s Web site (www.nemacolin.com.)