Jazzed Up

Just as the weather in St. Pete/Clearwater starts to cool down a bit, the jazz scene heats up. What better way to spend a warm fall weekend than listening to the smooth sounds of David Sanborn's alto sax float in on the tropical breezes wafting off the Intracoastal Waterway?

Come Oct. 16-19, more than 16 national jazz acts including Sanborn, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Patti Austin and Tony Bennett will take the stage at Coachman Park during the 29th annual MarineMax Clearwater Jazz Holiday (presented by Mercedes-Benz).

With temperatures typically in the seventies and a stage set against the glistening blue expanse of the Intracoastal, it's easy to see why it's one of the largest free jazz fests in the nation. You don't even have to be a jazz lover to appreciate the scene.

There are also local restaurant vendors, children's inflatable games the size of houses and fireworks on Saturday night. This year, the festival debuts its Jazz 'N Art Walk, featuring fine art of various media. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the newly revitalized Cleveland Street district, directly beside Coachman Park.

If you're looking for more jazz, head to downtown St. Petersburg. You might think you're walking into a Tennessee Williams play when you follow the sultry sounds of Buster Cooper's trombone into the Garden Restaurant . A giant banyan tree centers the dimly lit cobblestone courtyard of one of the city's oldest buildings. At the rear, Cooper, a wiry 79-year-old, slides his trombone arm with vigor alongside bandmates playing an upright bass, electric guitar and drums.

He has played for kings and queens, and with jazz legends Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Josephine Baker and Quincy Jones, to name a few. Now living once again in St. Petersburg, the exuberant musician brings his big, round, mellow sound to the Garden every Friday and Saturday night.

While you're in the area, check out photographer Herb Snitzer's gallery at Salt Creek Artworks. Snitzer's remarkable images of iconic jazz greats such as Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and John Coltrane have been shown in the Smithsonian Institution, the Jazz Gallery of Art in New York and other galleries.

And make sure you ask Snitzer about Buster Cooper. The fine arts photographer is also a jazz historian.

If you go

Clearwater Jazz Holiday, 727-461-5200, www.clearwaterjazz.com

Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater, 727-898-2100?

Jazz 'N Art Walk, 400 Cleveland Street, www.jazznartwalk.com

Garden Restaurant, 217 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-896-3800?

Herb Snitzer, www.herbsnitzer.com

Salt Creek Artworks, 1600 4th St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-894-2653?