Smooth Jazz News - October-November-Decemeber - 2024

2 2 | S M O O T H J A Z Z N E W S “Ariana Savalas and I have been friends for a long time. I met her many years ago on a Dave Koz cruise. She’s celebrity child royalty as Telly Savalas’ daughter. But she brings it in such a big way. She’s fun and funny and super talented, and you never know what may happen. “I can’t say enough about Pat Prescott, who is hosting this for us. She is pure love. She makes the world a better place daily, and she’s going to be a big part of creating an inspiring and uplifting start to this new year for all of us. This isn’t just about the music … it’s about friendship, community and making each other better.” Then, there’s the food and wine. “The first night for our Champagne Package guests will be a personal dinner and wine pairing curated by my ‘cork dork’ husband, Eric, and the Loews head chef. I’m going to add a little music as well, a capella! It’s a chance to be in an intimate setting and relax and have an extravagant meal together with personalized wine selections. “From there, our Cabernet Package guests come in on the 30th, and join everyone for a special wine and food pairing, overlooking the San Diego skyline, with Ariana Savalas performing. Eric is bringing in our company’s Wine and Jazz wines to pair with a curated menu by the head chef.” As an added element to the musical entertainment, Abair will host a Storytellers event featuring stories and songs. “I know these artists so well, but you may not,” she said. “I want the chance for you to get to know these amazing people more than just them playing for you. Pat Prescott will host that and give you a little insight into the people behind the music you love. I’m hosting a huge wine and jazz tasting with my husband, to get us all ready for the big night. Then, we’ll have a red-carpet photo opportunity and meet-and- greet with the artists, followed by a spectacular dinner with sparkling wine flowing for the main concert event.” Abair said her vision is a very intimate luxury experience for the days leading up to the new year. “This is not a big- box pack-’em-in event. We’re in a beautiful setting, the Loews Coronado Bay Resort, which has a beach and a bay view. We’ve worked tirelessly to create meaningful events that are special to us. My true hope is that people walk away feeling loved, relaxed, united, taken care of, and inspired to take on the next year in a very positive way. I want them to experience a few days of luxury with food and wine pairings, and wine and music pairings, and our Storytellers event and, of course, the incredible concerts. “We plan to make this an annual destination for great music and an inspired way to ring in the new year together with an elegant and intimate mix of great wine, food and music,” she concluded. Loews Coronado Bay Resort Mindi Abair with husband Eric Guerra continued from page 21