Continuing in the vein of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival by adding more non-jazz-rooted talent to its lineup while maintaining a foothold in the grooves, Clearwater Jazz Holiday returns for another four days worth of music and delivers the high-quality goods for its 35th anniversary edition. Earth Wind & Fire brings “Shining Star,”“September” and other hits with R&B, disco and funky fresh flavor to Thursday’s headlining slot, while on Friday, NYC-bred smooth jazz fusionists Spyro Gyra takes the featured spot. Saturday night brings the piano-fueled New Orleans swamp-blues grease of Dr. John & The Nite Trippers, their performance ending in the holiday’s customary fireworks show. And Sunday’s festivities are closed out with indie folk rock outfit Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue funking up the crowd with brass-blasted bombast directly beforehand. The official CJH After Parties are held at Capitol Theatre on Friday and Saturday, and feature TBA performers from the holiday joining Allon Sams and his "All-Star House Band" for some late night jams. [More info after the jump.]
Details: Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Oct. 16-19: Earth Wind & Fire, "Changing Keys" Clearwater Jazz Holiday 35th Anniversary Tribute, Buster Cooper (Thursday, 4:30-10 p.m.); Spyro Gyra, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Theo Valentin, Al Downing Jazz All-Stars (Friday, 4:30-11 p.m.); Dr. John & The Nite Trippers, Marcia Ball with Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, Belinda & Kool Reflektions, Julie Black, TomKats Jazz Orchestra with Katt Hefner (Saturday, 1:30-11 p.m.); and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Spirit Family Reunion, Crash, REH/CJH Youth Jazz Band (Sunday, 2-9:30 p.m.), Coachman Park, Clearwater, $15 daily ($25 two-day Saturday-Sunday passes available also).