On behalf of Smoothjazz.com, a media sponsor of the 1st Annual Cabo Jazz Festival, I was delighted to take my first trip to Mexico, to represent the Internet's #1 on-line destination for jazz.

In the shuttle from the airport to the Puebla Bonita Rose Resort, I looked around at the rocks and scarcely developed desert area and wondered what I was in for. It was 95 degrees and humid. Upon my descent into the most lush and green grounds of this amazingly beautiful, hidden, tropical paradise, I was so thrilled to have accepted this assignment!

Pueblo Bonita Resort was the perfect place for the concert event. We could see the beginnings of a huge stage being built right on the beach, a few feet from tranquil turquoise waters, about 300 ft from my lovely suite.

By the following morning, as I watched from my balcony, everything was in place and "sound check" was fantastic! About 5:30 PM, my husband and I walked down to the beach, set up our sand chairs and got ready for one of the best concerts I've ever been to, (outside of Monterey's "Concerts By The Bay", put on by Sandy Shore Productions).

George Duke blew everybody's mind. He took us on a trip to "outer space" with his funky keyboard grooves that we did not want to end! As a bonus, we witnessed an outstanding performance by
A.Ray Fuller (one of Smoothjazz.com's Discovery Artists) who was playing guitar in George Duke's band. Stanley Clarke, whose awesome talent on the bass guitar leaves you speechless, put on a show that I would classify as 'over the top'. In addition to his featured bass playing, he had one of the funkiest bass players I've ever seen or heard, a young gentleman from Camaroon, Africa named Armand Sabal-Lecco. Also an amazing jazz violinist, named Mads Tolling, from Denmark!

Then, when we thought we couldn't be entertained any further, on comes Chaka Khan!! (Deserving of two exclamation marks.) She sang with her usual , distinct, sassy and spirited - soulful voice! She had five very talented, and very beautiful back-up singers that each did an incredible solo of their own! The night was perfect!

Night 2 was also spectacular with Nestor Torres fantistic flute playing with an exceptional band, also the great band Albita! Almost everyone was on their feet dancing for hours! The Grand Finale was a beautiful fireworks display... Which was the perfect send off to our return home to San Diego where I now am a little more aware of our neighboring country that I share so much culture with. Both my husband and I look forward to the 2nd Annual Cabo Jazz Festival which is set for July 22-25, 2004.

See you there!

Jamie Trent
Artist Development + Promotion
SmoothJazz.com