Ain’t no party like a Kenny G party!
04/11/06 • Posted in: Best, Downtown Jacksonville, Events by Joey Marchy No Comments »Contribution by Tony Allegretti, reporting from The Urban Core
Some time ago I was asked what I thought of the increase of [Jacksonville Jazz Festival] ticket prices from zip to $10 and up. Well, I didn’t know exactly how I would feel about that until I experienced it. As a ten year vet of the annual jazz fest I didn’t think it would make that much of a difference. Maybe I’m less poor than I feel. The way I look at it, one could say, “I got to see Herbie Hancock for $10!” or Kenny G or even lesser knows TS Monk, Peter Cincotti etc. Most of all of the bands you could have seen at this year’s jazz fest would command a greater than $10 ticket price unless it was like The Spam All Stars at Jack Rabbits or something. Even then it would be damn near $10. Dinosaur Jr was $20 on Monday and by all accounts worth it. It’s a proposition where you almost certainly will get more than your moneys’ worth. Someone said that it will also help keep out the riff-raff, but I think smooth jazz and $5 beers are more likely to do that.
Anyway, on the surface the price didn’t scare me off. The problem was I had way too much to do the week of the fest. Also, the First Wednesday Art Walk was the day before things got cooking and it was sooo much fun it drained much of my personal fun time or PFT. As the weekend clock ticked I decided at the very least I would creep up on Herbie Hancock on Sunday to close the fest. I did this one other time with Tony Bennett and it was one of the best shows I have ever seen at Met Park, period. Tony did about 5 encores and just kept killing it. He was Frank Sinatra’s favorite singer. Parking was free this time as it was then for the late folks. I was surprised by that as there was also a Suns doubleheader. Chalk up an early fiver to me. Then I walk up and see the line. We are talking a 20 minute wait (only two windows open) at 5:45 pm, 15 minutes before the last act. Damn. I wait in line patiently while I hear the MC thanking the sponsors. Herbie starts to crank “Canteloupe Island” as I approach the window.
One, front row.
The lady looks at me without smiling and says “$13”.
Ouch, what is the other 3?
Service charge.
She says with a look like she had said to every single ticket buyer she saw. As if to scream I did not ADD THE CHARGE! Some other asshole that is not here ADDED THE CHARGE!
What service? I’ve been in line for 20 minutes. There is no line to get in the gates. You’ve done me a disservice.
Grumble. Where was the notice? Isn’t there some legal issue in disclosing fees? Did they sell enough pre-concert tickets (assuming that is the upside of going with Ticketmaster) to make this 30% fee worth it. What a TERRIBLE name for a monopoly. Ticketmaster. I think Windows should be renamed, Operating System MASTER. Call Eddie Vedder I’ve got an issue.
Minus three bucks and thusly one beer, as I only brought a $20. Had I had to pay for parking a beverage would have been beyond my capability. Worth noting is that you can get a bottle of wine in an ice bucket for $12. So there are some bargains to be had just not by me.
I did observe a lot less people than usual for such a big act and such beautiful weather. They seemed much more serious and subdued. There were a lot more people with folding chairs percentage-wise. All of this could be a net result of the $10, let’s just call it $13 charge.
But I came to see Herbie and he was awesome. His guitarist did this solo thing where it sounded like whole tribe of people. Amazing. Well worth the $13.
The New Orleans Jazz Fest is at least three times as good and their tickets are $30. We need to improve our line up some (though we are one of the most revered jazz fests in the world) and none of these charges will bother us. We also need to evaluate the need for the MASTER and if the number of presales justify a 30% charge. If not drop those suckers or at least tell people the TOTAL cost of the ticket.
As I sat with some friends listening to the jazz we talked about how awesome it will be to walk from 5 points all the way to the jazz fest all along the waterfront without even seeing a car. Think 2010. I just hope I can afford to get in when I get there.
