The Hawaii International Jazz Festival, a summertime fixture on the Island's musical landscape for the past 13 years, has suspended concerts for the rest of the year because of the Jan. 29 death of founder Abe Weinstein.

It's possible that an all-day jazz event may be scheduled in the spring of 2009, according to Dana Ritchie Fujikake, Weinstein's associate, who had been co-producer of the annual jazz festival.

Fujikake, in a press release, said festival organizers will be holding discussions on reviving the event in the spring.

The group will re-evaluate its resources and the marketplace, and consider whether to continue planning concert events, jazz clinics and a "visual jazz" art concert that had been scheduled for 2007.

Updates will be posted at the jazz festival's Web site, www.hawaiijazz.com, when available.

In past years, the organization had sponsored a two-day festival event featuring internationally known jazz performers, as well as jazz performances and jazz clinics at community colleges on O'ahu.

The nonprofit World Music Association, parent company of the Hawaii International Jazz Festival, is dedicated to presenting world-class jazz programs for residents and visitors alike, to educate the public and continue to preserve the tradition in the Islands and throughout the world, according to the festival's Web site.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.