Monday, September 24, 2012

Enjoying The North Carolina Jazz Festival

By Marissa Potter


Many individuals have learned to truly enjoy the sounds of beautiful jazz music. Each year venues all over the world host festivals with popular artists showcasing their latest music. The North Carolina Jazz Festival is no exception and is enjoyed each year over one of the weekends in February.

This is much different from the many festivals that generally host large concerts during either the spring or summer where they are located outdoors. Normally venues are chosen specifically to accommodate as many fans as possible. However, this particular one, held during February, is indoors where patrons can truly enjoy the music in style and comfort without weather concerns.

Having started in 1980, this is arguably one of the oldest festivals in the country and takes place in a ballroom at the Wilmington Hilton Riverside Hotel in the city of Wilmington, NC. The event showcases a blend of what is known as traditional and classic jazz which true music lovers enjoy. Rarely are fans disappointed by the talent and styles they hear at the event.

The economy has impacted attendance at the event somewhat. However, many concert goers have found it hard to resist making the trip across country where they know they will have a chance to enjoy the music, meet their favorite artists, as well as see some of the friends they have met and fostered at the event ear year. So, each year thousands will travel from both near and far to attend the event in North Carolina anticipating the enjoyment the talent promises.

The age range of festival goers for this event runs the gamut. You will find enthusiasts in their early 20s to those that have attended for years and are in their 80s. There are also opportunities given to young aspiring musicians to play with seasoned veterans. These opportunities along with several other additions have begun to attract a younger crowd in recent years.

The cabaret style setting of this festival is much more conducive to this type of indoor venue. It fosters a completely different environment than what is found at the huge festivals which are held all over the country where fans and artists are far apart and screens must be used for fans to see the artist. The ballroom setting is much more intimate and fans are able to truly feel the music as well as become acquainted with others who are enjoying the event.

Being able to interact with the artists and other fans is one major reason many cannot forego the pleasure of attending the event each year. It makes attending huge smooth jazz festivals less appealing since the environment is so different. Many refuse to even try to compare the two since there is such a difference and they have grown accustomed to the enjoyment found at a smaller venue.

Many others believe that smooth jazz festivals are much more popular than the traditional ones. However, any true jazz aficionado adamantly believes there is no comparison as they feel smooth jazz does not come close to traditional or classic. Whichever opinion one holds, one must admit there are many that enjoy and appreciate both forms. As with many other festivals, the North Carolina Jazz Festival has its diehard fans that attend each year.




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