After a hiatus due to the Corona pandemic, I happily attended the 2023 Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival held at the beautiful Pine Cliffs Hotel, a five star resort. The hotel offered all the amenities one could wish for; a nice beach along impressing sand stone cliffs, excellent cuisine, a relaxed environment providing a great setting for the festival. The weather was perfect and the line-up first class. Concerts were held at Salão Pinhal, a nice concert hall on the premises of the hotel, that provided the perfect place for the festival shows. Fans from all across Europe and the US gathered here to enjoy the sounds of world renowned musicians, to meet friends, consume good food and drinks while in the company of other smooth jazz aficionados.
I arrived one day earlier and enjoyed the hotel and its surroundings on my own, getting in a holiday mood. Tuesday, the day the festival started, I picked up my festival T-shirt, brochure and tickets at the front desk. I didn’t attend the welcome dinner, so the Jam Session featuring many of the festival performers was the first event for me.
Like every year, the headlining players were supported by two house bands, one from Germany, and one from the UK. The German band featured Christoph Lindner on guitar, Leo Asal on drums, Marius Goldhammer on bass and Jay Rowe on keyboards, while the UK band featured Andrew Small on drums, Orefo Orakwue on bass, Andrew Noble on keys and Chris Booth on guitar.
Following an introduction by festival organiser and MC Christian Bössner, the Jam Session was kicked off with a song by Jay Rowe on keyboards, before Andy Snitzer stepped in and did a great rendition of the Meters classic “Cissy Strut”, followed by Paula Atherton doing one of her own songs, bringing things nicely up to speed. Next, Jeff Lorber and Andy Snitzer provided another groover, before one of the highlights of the evening took place, saxophonist Gerald Albright performing “Round Midnight” by Thelonious Monk in a great, restrained and definitely jazzy way, showing his awesome level of musicianship. Then it was Michael Paulo’s turn to give us a spirited version of “Watermelon Man” with great solos by Jay Rowe on keys and Christoph Lindner on guitar, followed by Everette Harp who was joined by Andy Snitzer, doing “Canteloupe Island” having people groove along. They closed the evening with “Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now” with all five saxophonists trading solo spaces which was truly electric. This soul-stirring finale ended the first night.
Wednesday evening, it was Paula Atherton’s turn, who over the course of several years steadily built her career in smooth jazz playing sax and flute, having become a force to reckon with. She was supported by the UK band and had a nice show. I was particularly impressed with her composition “A Night In Madrid” done on the flute, which delivered a cool vibe especially while being on the western Atlantic coast.She turned it up a bit with her version of Patrice Rushen’s “Forget Me Nots”, followed by her #1 Billboard hit “Can You Feel It”, a collaboration with Greg Manning. She featured her vocals on the heartfelt “Don’t Let Me Wait Too Long” and others, concluding her show with “Whenever You Come Around” wandering around in the audience delivering a lengthy sax solo, followed by the funky “JB” which was well received.
Saxophonist Gerald Albright needs no introduction, he was supported by the German players who all did a great job. He has a vast catalog, and drew from it liberally, playing “New Beginnings” referencing his move from California to Colorado, where his family now lives, “G & Lee”, a song originally done with Lee Ritenour, and his classic “Bermuda Nights” from 1988. He had the crowd sing along to “My, My, My” and “Crazy” before he did my personal favourite “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” by James Brown, pulling all the stops, holding nothing back. His encore, the inevitable “Georgia On My Mind”, which morphed into Maze’s “Before I Let Go”, had the crowd on their feet and concluded another great show by this consummate artist.
This year, the festival offered live music at the club after the main show. Before I went to bed, I paid the club a short visit, had a couple of drinks and caught Michael Paulo play “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” to a receptive party crowd.
Thursday night, veteran guitar player Paul Jackson Jr. did his show with a string of songs from his vast catalog, boasting his fluid guitar lines and improvisational ideas. His current project is called “Stompin’ Willie Presents More Stories, Part 1”. He also performed “City Of Refuge” from his new project which showcased his guitar skills. Later he played a string of songs where he originally played as a studio player like “Lady In My Life” by Michael Jackson and “Never Too Much” by Luther Vandross, which certainly were pleasing the crowd, concluding with a rousing show.
The highlight of the evening was the double bill of saxophonists Everette Harp and Andy Snitzer, who dedicated their show to legendary sax players who shaped their sounds. The spirit was loose, playful, and the camaraderie of the two were noticeable. They kicked off the show with the Sanborn classic “Chicago Song” followed by the Grover Washington Jr. track “Let It Flow” which morphed into another Sanborn composition with Everette Harp killing it with a lengthy and soulful improvisation, taking his time “talking” to his audience. They payed tribute to Ronnie Laws with “Always There” before they started to alternate, first Andy Snitzer featured his own “You’ve Changed” from 1994, then Everette Harp did a great rendition of the Bob James/David Sanborn collaboration “More Than Friends” nicely stretching out in this one during a walk into the audience. Another nod to Ronnie Laws was made with “Friends & Strangers”, before Andy Snitzer played “Wake Me When It’s Over” another Sanborn classic. Then Everette Harp surprised the audience with some singing on the Grover classic “Just The Two Of Us” plus some gutsy tenor playing. They did an encore, bringing Paul Jackson Jr. on guitar to the stage, to do Grover’s “Mr. Magic” bringing a truly great concert to a lively end.
Past midnight, I went to the club where DJ Richard Edwards played some funky tunes to dance to, before the night club concert took place, guitar player JJ Sanseverino and saxophonist Will Donato were ready to party, with a nice crowd to go along with it. They played “Never Too Much” and others hits. During their rendition of “Superstition”, surprise guest Selina Albright joined the stage just having arrived from the airport, providing another highlight. The players had a dancing crowd right in front of them. This thing was off the hook!
Friday’s show, Jeff Lorber appeared in a trio setting with bass player Orefo Orakwue and drummer Andrew Small, playing his own compositions, among them “What’s The Deal” , “He Had A Hat” and “Singaraja” several times featuring Orefo Orakwue on lengthy bass solos. In the middle of his show, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. joined the band to do “Montserrat” adding his flavour to the music. They concluded their fusion set with “Rain Dance” and “Hacienda”.
Next were guitarist Paul Brown and saxophonist Michael Paulo, they kicked off their set with the groovy “24/7” and “Funky Joint”, before it got a bit bluesier with “Brother Earl”. One of the highlights was Michael Paulo playing his own smouldering “One Passion” which was mesmerising, before Paul Brown took over with “Sugar Fish” and the Jeff Golub classic “Dangerous Curves” boasting his stunning guitar playing. They returned for a beautiful rendition of “Dreamwalk”, followed by the funky “Mr. Magic”, concluding a great show.
Saturday morning, guitarist JJ Sansaverino with guest Michael Paulo on saxophone was scheduled, JJwas in a great playing mood and did “Style & Elegance”, his #1 hit, and “Swing Easy” before he did a medley of songs that shaped his style, like “Creepin’”, “Just My Imagination” (having the audience sing along) and “Breezin’”, followed by “Creepin’”, EWFs “Love’s Holiday” and the Santana classic “Europa”, thrilling the crowd. He returned to the stage for an encore, doing “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”, having everybody on their feet.
After JJ Sanseverino, saxophonist Will Donato appeared, entering from the rear, having people dance in front of the stage very soon. He interacted a lot with the audience and was constantly joking around. During “I’ll Be Around” people were singing along, then he did a nice rendition of “Italia” with great contributions be Jay Rowe on keys and Christoph Lindner on guitar. He raised the bar with “Funk Ability” and “Pick Up The Pieces” that featured his guest Jeff Ryan on sax. They concluded their set with “Play That Funky Music”, leaving a pumped up crowd.
Saturday evening was opened by songstress Selina Albright, daughter of saxophonist Gerald Albright, just having relocated to London and definitely standing on her own. She has a beautiful, well trained voice doing some of her own compositions like “Search My Name”and “Eat Something”, plus covers like Beyoncé’s ‘If I Were A Boy” and Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground”, which went down very well with the crowd. She concluded her set with her own “Brighter”.
Next were Jazz Funk Soul, the trio consisting of keyboardist Jeff Lorber, saxophonist Everette Harp and guitarist Paul Jackson Jr (replacing Chuck Loeb who passed away in 2017). Each of those players are stars in their own right, having long and storied careers, so this super group gave us a treat with songs like “Serious Business”, “Speed Of Light” and “Monserrat” from their catalog. Then Everette Harp was featured on his own “Going Through Changes”, dedicated to his mentor and friend George Duke, before the group went on with “Down The Road” and “Forecast” providing plenty of solos by all involved, finishing their powerful show with “Monday Speaks”.
Sunday morning, we were ready to hear newcomer Ryan La Valette, a multi instrumentalist from New Zealand playing guitar and saxophone. He kicked off his show on guitar with some catchy instrumentals, before he switched to the alto sax to do another song from his current release “New Beginnings”, then he slowed it down for “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” showing his sensitive side. Back to the guitar for “No Limits” with a great bass solo by Marius Goldhammer, followed by “Love Is Melody” with some nice keyboard work by Jay Rowe. Another introspective moment was his solo rendition of “My One And Only Love” on guitar, before the groove picked up with “Closer To You” on sax with a stroll into the audience, plus the funky “AMG Power”. He returned for an encore, performing “Do I Do” having people dance in front of the stage. The future of smooth jazz is in safe hands.
Next was the veteran duo of the Braxton Brothers with Wayne on sax and Nelson on bass, leading us through a string of favourite tracks from their lengthy career, “A Night To Love” boasted some smooth sax work by Wayne Braxton, while “Kickin’ Back” brought back some funk. The romantic “Now And Forever” had a nice climax, while “When Love Comes Around” gave Andrew Noble the chance for a cool latin keyboard solo. “The Only Woman In The World” was a nice groover, they finished their set with the current single “Let’s Have A Good Time”, leaving a happy crowd. This band is so smooth, they almost epitomise the genre, bringing a nice California vibe.
Sunday evening, keyboardist Greg Manning and saxophonist Jeff Ryan appeared. While Greg Manning made himself a name as a hit producer, Jeff Ryan is a chart rising sax player with a tenor sound closely resembling Richard Elliot. Greg and Jeff opened their set with “Street Funk”, then Greg Manning played Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely”, a song that was responsible to set him on his music career. They played “After The Rain” and “J-Factor” before Greg Manning did his signature song “The Calling” which is a classic of his catalog. Another hit song played was “Top Down”, next highlight was the soulful “Embrace” performed by Jeff Ryan where he also did a stroll through the audience. They concluded their show with a cover of “Happy” and “How I Feel With You”, ending a great show.
The festival was concluded with the Grand Finale featuring all the players that were still present at the festival at that moment. Will Donato appeared first doing a no holds barred “I’ll Be There” quickly being out in the audience and playing standing on chairs. Paul Brown and Michael Paulo gave us their renditions of “Put It Where You Want It” and “Hang Time”, before singer Selina Albright gave us her interpretation of the classic “The Nearness Of You”. Guitarist Ryan La Valette surprised us with his nod to George Benson doing a straight ahead version of “Affirmation”. Next were Greg Manning, The Braxton Brothers and Selina Albright performing Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do” which raised the heat considerably. Guitarist JJ Sanseverino took over with another Stevie Wonder classic playing “Another Star”, taking the song to new heights. The night and the festival was appropriately concluded with “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”, having all the players on stage trading solos and leaving a satisfied crowd.
Last, but not least, I would like to mention Richard Edwards, entertaining us with his DJ sets at the night club plus his “Afternoon Chills” at the bar overlooking the sea, playing a handpicked selection of smooth jazz tracks, plus doing some great Q&A sessions with the artists, providing lots of useful information. He is a mainstay of the festival and a nice guy to boot.
This year’s Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival was another success, lots of great shows, nice people, good vibes, beautiful weather, a perfect setting in a 5-star-resort. Kudos to Chris and Sandy for bringing these artists to Europe and persevering in showcasing Smooth Jazz. I will be back!