From San Diego she popped onto the scene this year Big Time.
Performing on Board, with “everybody,” throughout the Dave Koz
Cruise through the British Isles in May. Dazzling Producer Art Good
who was in attendance.
She then showed up on Catalina Island inside Eric Darius show,
Closing Weekend, on a Saturday Afternoon.
Dave Koz who appeared that night asking both Rebecca and Eric to stay and
to join him on a number of songs in his show which was and were amazing.
Even as she was on the Island her debut album, ‘A Shade of Jade’ dropped nationally.
Art Good finally was able to listen late in November after a couple of
very hectic JazzTrax months. He had a couple other artists in mind for
this honor but both had released their debuts in the previous year and
then earlier this month had Rebecca had her 1st single “Show Me,”
hit the Billboard Smooth Jazz Charts TOP 10! At the last minute it
became crystal clear that Rebecca was the JazzTrax Debut Artist of 2022.
Best of 2022
Best Song of the Year
"Lost Words"
By
Phillippe Saisse
with
Marc Antoine
‘Jarreau’s Lost Words’ as the Song was to have been Sung by Al.
When he passed away before getting it recorded it became an
instrumental with Marc’s guitar replacing Al Jarreau’s “Lost Words.”
Best Smooth Jazz Vocal of the Year
“If You Believe”
Sung by
Jean Baylor
on
Yellowjackets
‘Parallel Motion’
JazzTrax Best Live Performance of the Year
Dave Koz
Saturday Evening, Oct. 21st
35th JazzTrax Festival
in the historic 1929 Avalon Ballroom, looking out to sea, on Catalina Island
This choice was never in doubt, from Dave’s dramatic entrance from the
outside verandah overlooking the Pacific Ocean to his bringing back up
on stage his new friends Rebecca Jade and Eric Darius.
JazzTrax Best Live Performance of the Year
Continued
Dave Koz
Saturday Evening, Oct. 21st
35th JazzTrax Festival
in the historic 1929 Avalon Ballroom, looking out to sea, on Catalina Island
Rebecca Jade here singing “The Promise” with Chris Walker as Dave intro-ed it saying there was No
Sax on the Song so he was going down into the Front Row to watch it
himself, which he did (Picture is on JazzTrax Picture Page). To having
Eric Darius do David Sanborn’s record recorded part on “Side by Side” with Koz.
JazzTrax Best Live Performance of the Year
Continued
Dave Koz
Saturday Evening, Oct. 21st
35th JazzTrax Festival
in the historic 1929 Avalon Ballroom, looking out to sea, on Catalina Island
To standing ovation after standing ovation from a Totally 100% Sold Out
JazzTrax Festival Ballroom Audience. You can hear a portion of this
incredulous evening on the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival Radio Special.
Prettiest 2 Songs of the Year
Dave Koz
Carol Albert
“Wrapped Up in Your Smile.”
“Angels Watching Over Me”
Best Song or Album Title of the Year
“Catalina Nights”
No. #1 Billboard
By
The Braxton Brothers
Come on .. what else would JazzTrax Pick
Written by Wayne Braxton one romantic night with his wife in Avalon
Song they claim they’d love to bring … to Avalon for a Catalina JazzTrax Night …
JazzTrax Moment of the Year
JazzTrax (or Art Good’s) Moment of the Year
Dave Grusin
Onstage With
Art Good
When in August, just 2 months out, we were alerted that David Sanborn had to cancel his West Coast Tour.
Due to health reasons he could not fly lengthy flights, we were in a quandary how to replace him
at such a late stage with almost all acts having their Fall Schedules Set In Place.
We found that Lee Ritenour had a brief lay-over at his home in L.A. that weekend before
flying to Europe. We also noticed he had been doing dates with the legendary Dave Grusin.
Now in his late 80’s, the co-founder of the GRP Recording Company who launched the careers
of so many smooth jazz stars, let alone owner of Grammy’s and Oscars, his television and movie
work extending from the 60’s as Music Director of the Andy Williams Show to the 70’s “Theme from
St. Elsewhere,” to the motion picture music soundtracks for the likes of ‘Tootsie,’ “On Golden Pone,’ “The Firm’
and so many more, let alone his own Solo Albums. Grusin had never ever graced the JazzTrax
Live Performance Stage before so it was Art Good’s ‘Personal Moment of the Year’ when he
walked up to Dave sound checking his keys in prep for Rit’s evening performance.
Dave looked up and said “Hi Art … Long Time … “ Art asked if Dave had ever, during his Hollywood
music days of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, come to Catalina Island. Dave replied, “Once .. on (legendary film
director) Sydney Pollack’s boat (yacht.) But never before in the Avalon Ballroom .. until today.”
Finally at Age 88 Dave Grusin and Art Good were having a conversation .. 26 miles across the sea.
JazzTrax In Memorium 2022
In Memoriam
NICK COLIONNE
“The Big Windy Cat”
We lost Nick unexpectedly on New Year’s Day. We’re expecting a final album from Nick on the anniversary of his passing.
It’s 1st Single “What You Do To Me,” went Billboard #1 in the Spring.
This was Summer of 2013 at the Big Bear JazzTrax Summer Music Festival, sitting with George Duke.
It was George’s Final Ever Stage Appearance. Now it’s likely Nick and George are making music together … up there …