In its second year, this growing festival incorporates three days of music.  The crowds continue to grow and become ever more enthusiastic each year.  The third day is set aside primarily for smooth jazz.  The Friday night show featured  War and Michael McDonald while the Saturday was highlighted by Michael Manson.  I was fortunate to visit the third day and take in some remarkable music.
         
Nestled in the woods of the Koka Booth Amphitheater, this venue was a welcomed oasis of shade and fan friendly amenities.  The show started at two in the afternoon with Marcus Johnson.  His set was lively and really got the crowd going early with songs from his Phoenix CD.  “18th and M” went over well and showed the versatility of this keyboardist.  There were some great solos by his sax player Marcus Anderson.  His thirty minute set went by much too quick as the crowd gave approval.  They were still arriving when Joe Sample hit the stage.

Joe Sample is a timeless classic and proves time and again why he is loved so well.  It was really touching to have his son in the band on bass.  “X Marks the Spot” was one of those New Orleans induced classics.  His appearance here was with Randy Crawford whom he had recorded a disc with last year.  “Gee Baby Ain’t I Good For You” was good one to bring the two together.  One of the favorites of the afternoon was “Rainy Night in Georgia.”

Most of the crowd had waited for Boney James, and he didn’t disappoint.  His classics spanned most of his discs including several cuts from his disc Shine (reviewed in Smoothviews in June).  There were a lot of crowd favorites and Boney delivered with authority.  They all cheered in approval as he went into the audience.

Michael Franks made his appearance just before the rain came in.  It was disappointing to most to have it rained on.

One of the surprises of the day was from saxophonist Mike Phillips.  His raw energy was contagious and his band right on top of everything.  He was playing much from his new disc (reviewed in Smoothviews in July).  I’d never seen him perform live so it was a treat to see this band in action.  It was an even bigger treat to see Marcus Johnson back on keys with him.  The day ended with Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers.  His “D.C. go-go” brought down the house and was a great closing to a wonderful day.

If you haven’t been to this festival yet, you may want to check it out next year.  For a state known better for bluegrass and racing this is a nice change of pace.  The music was as hot as the temperatures that day, and the music was a good mixed bag of old, new and popular smooth jazz.  Be on the look out again next year for the Carolina Music Festival.

- Harvey Cline