APRIL/MAY 2026 | 13 continued on page 14 It’s just one of many reasons the Seabreeze Jazz Festival has become the only event on the smooth jazz circuit to sell out before its full lineup is even announced. And before a single note is played; the experience already feels seamless. e ease of it all adds to the appeal. A quick 20-minute drive from the airport delivers fans to beachfront condos and hotels. Dozens of nearby restaurants serve up fresh Gulf seafood and Southern favorites. More than 8,000 genre enthusiasts from nearly all 50 states and six countries are drawn to the destination as much as the music. e festival site boasts state-of-the-art sound, staging and lighting; ample, permanent restroom facilities; a food court and artisan vendors—everything designed with comfort in mind. Plus, it sits adjacent to the Pier Park shopping, dining and entertainment complex, where festival attendees enjoy free parking. But the music is the heartbeat. And it’s always a stellar lineup. at’s what matters most to Mark Carter, who produces the festival with his wife, Renee’. Carter owns Florida-based radio station WSBZFM e Seabreeze, and he has lived and breathed music since his high school band days. “At Freeport High School here in Northwest Florida, I was drum major of the band and did musical arrangements for both marching band and the school’s jazz band,” Carter recalled. “In high school band, I played trumpet and the French horn, along with guitar and piano in jazz band. “My experience as a high school band geek is why we created the Seabreeze Jazz Festival Foundation for high school band scholarships to seniors looking to enter college as a music major.” at’s probably why he’s also passionate about ensuring emerging performers are always a part of his festival lineup. “ e up-and-coming artists of today will be the smooth jazz stars of tomorrow,” he said. “Plus, as an FM smooth jazz radio station owner, we also want the lineup to re ect the mix of artists that are currently on the Billboard Smooth Jazz charts.” Over the years, Carter said he’s been the rst to showcase artists like Vincent Ingala, Lindsey Webster, Chris Botti, Nicholas Cole and, more recently, performers such as Ryan La Valette, Adrian Crutch eld, Slim Gambill, Roberto Restuccia and LEMEK. “ e Seabreeze Rising Star time slots in the festival lineup create excitement and momentum for the audience. To see and hear someone dynamic and new adds a freshness to the blend of artists,” he explained. One artist Carter predicts will be a breakout highlight this year is Nik West. “She’s well known in Europe, with sold-out shows, as a multitalented singer, composer and entertainer,” he said. “Her upbeat, funky bass stylings—and her elaborate and colorful costumes—add an element of fun to the show, and she’s de nitely going to blow the crowd away.” And, according to Carter, e TNR Collective is a perfect ensemble for the audience to get a sampling of some of the top talent in the industry. “Billboard No. 1 hitmaker Ryan La Valette, BK Jackson, Adrian Crutch eld and LEMEK—all previous Seabreeze Rising Stars—are now performing and recording together,” he said. Another great addition to the lineup is no stranger to the Seabreeze Jazz Festival. “Darnell ‘Showcase’ Taylor has appeared in Brian Culbertson’s band and already has become a show favorite,” Carter explained. “His recent solo single release of ‘House of Love’ did well on smooth jazz radio and sounded great on air with the smooth jazz mix we feel is important.” Does the fact that Seabreeze continually sells out so quickly give him the freedom to experiment with new talent on his lineup? “Yes, it does to a point,” Carter said. “To stay current with the radio version of the smooth jazz format, the Top 10 Billboard hitmakers will and should make a more frequent presence on the lineup. I’m talking about core artists like Boney James, Peter White and Brian The TNR Collective: Ryan La Valette, BK Jackson, LEMEK and Adrian Crutcheld Nik West Darnell “Showcase” Taylor Photo: Calvin Smith Photo: Will Downing
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA1MjUy