Local Jazz Fans Are Feeling Good

Last year was the big band theory.

The first-ever Taste of Jazz featured mostly old-school jazz performers occupying the main and secondary stages.

Big band jazz has long been a popular staple in Hernando County, but organizers noticed something they weren't expecting last year. The two-day event attracted a lot of families and young couples.

This year, they made sure to recruit some contemporary acts. It wasn't hard to do.

"We actually had groups contact us after they heard about it," said Myndee Washington, who was in charge of booking the performers. "That was really exciting."

For those who like the old standards from the likes of Tommy Dorsey and Duke Ellington, there was still plenty for them to savor Saturday. Hernando Jazz Society stalwart Eddie Lawrence showed off his velvety voice during a series of performances at the amphitheater during the early afternoon.

That was where Margie Lindback was enjoying the show with her daughter, Karen Buist.

"I really love it and I hope they do it more often," said Lindback, who has visited hundreds of jazz clubs with her husband of 52 years. "If you were in my house, you would hear nothing but jazz."

The musical atmosphere also crept into the park's underwater theater. Several of the mermaids performed a jazz-infused routine before a packed house.

They wore black one-piece swimsuits and black panty hose - reminiscent of the Velma Kelly costume in the film adaptation of "Chicago."

The opening song was "Nowadays" from the same movie and was followed by Michael Buble's "Feeling Good."

A repeat performance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today.

It also happened to be one of the first mermaid shows after Weeki Wachee Springs became a state park. The state officially took over Saturday. Employees wore their green and khaki uniforms for the first time.

"These last three weeks we've really been focused on becoming a state park," said Weeki Wachee spokesman John Athanason.

He complimented Taste of Jazz organizers for taking charge of the planning and preparation, which is something park employees oversee more closely, but could not this time due to the transition.

"They really picked up the slack for us," Athanason said.

Another major attraction to the Taste of Jazz is the variety of foods available. Visitors could try Thai, Italian, Greek, Romanian and German foods - not to mention old-fashioned American steakhouse cuisine.

Cody's Steakhouse was included among the vendors this year.

"We really wanted to get in with the community and (meet) a few people who have never been to Cody's before," said general manager Andrew Viglione. "Jazz music is so relaxing ... We wanted our food to blend in with everything else here."

Patti Cotter, of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, was the lead organizer for the second year in a row. The restaurant lineup for the weekend was her responsibility, just like in 2007.

"All of those vendors from last year who are still in business rushed back to do it again," she said.

Saturday's headlining act was Late Night Brass, of Tampa. The 10-piece horn-based band played classics, as well as jazzy versions of pop hits from the 1970s and 1980s.

Today's headliner will be the Robert Harris Group, a guitar-based, modern jazz band that does covers and original songs. They will take the main stage at 3 p.m.

Stan and Jill Urban, of Spring Hill, attended Taste of Jazz for the second year in a row. They prefer the modern jazz to the oldies, but will enjoy it in all forms.

"We like it because it's local with local groups," Stan Urban said.

When they arrived and noticed the smaller stage, they realized the live acts were likely going to be more modern. The big band sound requires a large horn section and a lot of musicians occupying the same stage.

Washington, who also is a member of the Fine Arts Council, said the first Taste of Jazz was a hit, but the second time around was more important. They needed another success to validate it and ensure it could live on in Hernando County.

The clear skies and robust attendance convinced her that it could.

"This year, we've cemented what we've done," she said.

Admission for the event is $4 and parking is $1 per car. Shuttle buses will be available.

Taste of Jazz will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, located at U.S. 19 and State Road 50.