Crisfield Brings Jazz to the Waterfront
Crisfield, Md. — Crisfield is preparing to host their fourth annual Crisfield Jazz on the Waterfront concert, bringing jazz musicians from the Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas to the Lower Shore.
Event co-chair Stan Rayford says the idea for the event came from a desire to bring people in to explore the city and show off the downtown and waterfront areas.
“It all began when we came to realize that in order for us to become the destination city that we want to become or that we believe Crisfield should be, then events have to sort of draw attraction from tourists. And when they get here, they get to experience Crisfield and they can consider coming back,” Rayford said.
Eric Banks, the other co-chair, is also on the city council and planned to hold several music events in the city as part of a plan to boost tourism and the economy in Crisfield. For Banks, jazz music was a must have.
“I’m a jazz guy, so I really love it. And when Stan and I, in the committee thought about it, I knew I wanted to do some music events — four or five. But jazz was definitely the one that I love the most. And so, I’m excited about hearing these artists, I’ve never heard them before,” Banks said.
At this year’s event attendees will get to hear from artists including saxophonist Phillip “Doc” Martin, bassist Elwood Bishop, and vocalist Karen Linette.
Rayford explained that the event has an electric atmosphere that builds before the music even gets underway.
“The actual concert starts at 4 p.m. but man, oh man, people start coming in about 3 p.m. because they know they want to get the best seats up front and off to the side. People are repeat visitors. They know exactly where they want to be,” Rayford said.
Rayford said one of the highlights of the event will be the sunset over the water, providing a visual backdrop for the music.
“You can’t have a better mix than good seafood sitting on the water, beautiful sunset. And then just add to that some excellent jazz music,” Rayford said. “It’s going to start in daylight, but it’ll end in the dusk and into the night. And man, I tell you, it gets real special in the night.”
