While the Seaside Jazz Fest announced this was their "first ever event", it was actually the 4th of it's kind. The Seabreeze Jazz Festival's first two years were in fact...at Seaside (in the Lyceum). (Year #1 we did partner with the DSA ...Downtown Seaside Association) And yes...out of the 10 years...they were the least attended due to size constraints. Year #1 we had 800 attendees...followed by Year #2 with 1200. At this point, our event had outgrown what Seaside had to offer. And many seem to forget the Florida Jazz Festival that the Seaside Merchants were also part of in 2002. That event did feature Al Jareau ...yet did not come close to covering expenses. So no...this jazz festival is not "virgin territory" for Seaside or the DSA. Of course, weather is a huge factor for success of any outdoor music festival. In 2001, the Seabreeze Jazz Fest was met with rain, wind, and 45 degree temperatures. We all refer to that year as the "Shiverfest" as guitarist Larry Carlton had to blow dry his fingers to play between sets. Even with the bad weather, we had close to 800-1000 people in the rain, in their chairs...set to stay and enjoy the music. It was this year we decided to move the event into April (from March) where the weather is usually more predictable. The weather was not a factor for the Seaside Jazz Festival, which put the odds much in their favor. Regarding our event (Seabreeze Jazz Festival), many do not know WSBZ only has a staff of 6-8 individuals that organize and run the event. We are a locally owned, family-run radio station and all 6 of our kids are involved with also working the event (handing out programs, armbanding, merchandising, and such). We do hire security, food service, and others to make the event happen...but no....we are not some mega-corporation with pockets of dough just to throw at this. We do own the event...and do not have to answer to a Board of Directors or angry merchants -- which is a huge plus. In a case like this or any large resort with layers of management, you can never win the game in making all the players happy. In our event...the key is the festival must make money to pay expenses and raise money for music scholarships and Music in the Schools (our local charity effort). There is a learning curve in anything new. The key is know what you can charge and what you should spend. Two weekends is alot for any new festival to attempt.
