Then again, he's done his homework.

"Twelve years ago, Gabe Baltazar (the standout jazz saxophonist, and a respected veteran here and abroad) posed the question 'Why can't we have a world-class jazz festival here?' " said Weinstein, who is immersed in finalizing details for the two major nights of music July 29 and 30 festival at the Hawai'i Theatre. A third event, free to the public, will be held at Kapolei Hale Nov. 6.

Baltazar's contention was that he had to travel outside of the Islands to soak up the jazz, as fan and as musician.

No more.

ABE WEINSTEIN

So he started investigating, and discovered that jazz festivals make a positive economic impact on the host city; that festival-goers travel three to five times annually for pleasure trips; that their household incomes topped $110,000 annually; and that they make an occasional hop to another city, domestically as well as abroad (Europe), to indulge in that passion.

And he embarked on partnerships with the Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau to market the festival as a tourist destination, providing "advertorials and special sideline columns to create awareness for Hawai'i and the jazz festival" in Travel & Leisure, the New Yorker and more.

Early on, Weinstein checked with other jazzfest organizers and was told Hawai'i deserved a "major international jazz festival." Don't give in to "outward experiences" and don't give up, they told him.

He didn't.

With his background as a former teacher at Punahou, University of Hawai'i, Chaminade University and Leeward Community College, Weinstein also embraced education in his festival, offering proceeds to support scholarships. He connected, too, with visiting college bands and local youths with ambitions in jazz to grace the festival stages, providing a valuable bridge from the movers and shakers of the past to the future musicians. The third wheel in his jazz machine is the Kapolei freebie.

"The presentation of several international stars and their integration with our local stars has helped to create diversity and opportunity for growth, both in terms of audiences and artists," said Weinstein.