12 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS in a lavish medley of rose-hued walls, gold and silver leaf accents and art deco reliefs. French doors connect the Ballroom to the encircling veranda, which o ers sweeping, 360-degree views of Avalon Bay from the 11-story-high building. Performances featuring a mix of smooth jazz stars and emerging artists are staged under 50-foot ceilings with ve Ti any-inspired chandeliers. “I base a lot of the lineup on up-and-comers, quality artists of the future,” Good explained. “I always hold several slots open into the spring waiting for someone to debut outta nowhere, our JazzTrax ‘where-did-theycome-froms?’ In 1987, that was David Benoit and e Rippingtons. In 1995, it was Jesse Cook. We had Mindi Abair on Catalina Island a decade before her recording debut.” is year, Good said, it’s Andréa Lisa. e South African-born, New Zealand-raised guitarist, vocalist, composer and producer is scheduled to perform Oct. 11. Headliners on the lineup include Peabo Bryson, Eric Darius, Gerald Albright, the Bob James Quartet, Spyro Gyra and Norman Brown. And, BPM, with Brian Bromberg, Paul Brown and Michael Paulo, will perform for the rst time on the JazzTrax stage as a group. Because booking talent has become more challenging for Good in recent years, he’s already submitted o ers for artists he’d like to perform in 2026. “I’m already about one-third into the con rmations for October next year,” he said. “Earlier in time, I’d start to construct the artist lineup in April. ere were no other smooth jazz events in October anywhere. Now, they’ve ooded into November. To get the artists I want, I am now booking well over a year in advance.” With this increase in fall festivals and the competition for talent it has created, plus the rumor mill churning out speculation about the future of the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, Good assured us that he plans to continue with two weekends … at least through 2026. debut.” Lisa. e South guitarist, scheduled Peabo the Norman Bromberg, Paul perform for speculation Good assured least through silver years, already “I’m already about already about October next next year,” construct the artist smooth jazz events jazz events ooded into November. now booking well booking well over With this increase continued from page 11 Photo: PAT BENTER Photo: PAT BENTER Photo: BRANDON ALBRIGHT Photo: AIRIC LEWIS Photo: PAT BENTER Eric Darius performing in the Ballroom in 2022 Descanso Beach in Avalon, California Gerald Albright Catalina Casino Ballroom Andréa Lisa
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