Contact: Jo Morello, 941.587.8290; Carline Ash, 941.366.1552
Jazz Club of Sarasota announces eight concerts for January;
mix of free and ticketed events provides multiple options for jazz lovers
SARASOTA, FL: The Jazz Club of Sarasota, one of the most active jazz societies in the United States, begins the new year with a full calendar of concerts by acclaimed musicians who hold international and national as well as local credentials. In keeping with its mission–to preserve, promote, present and educate people about jazz, the original American musical art form—the Club offers a mix of eight free and ticketed concerts on January afternoons and evenings, in one instance even presenting two events on the same day. The activities include three Jazz at Two events (which include a donation to the Club’s scholarship fund), two evening concerts and two fundraisers in support of others—all scheduled in Sarasota—as well as a free afternoon concert in Venice.
The dedicated volunteers who operate the Club have at times teamed with others (e.g., Art Center Sarasota, The Starlite Room) and have chosen musicians who consistently deliver high-quality performances. At the same time, services donated by Club members provide paid opportunities for the performers, allowing them to continue working as jazz artists.
For more information, call the Jazz Club office (941.366.1552, Wednesday-Friday), visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org or email [email protected].
Friday, January 8, Jazz at Two, 2 – 4 p.m., The Dave Morgan Quartet
Who/What: Besides Dave Morgan, the quartet includes pianist Billy Marcus (named “Miami’s Best Musician” by Miami/South Florida Magazine); Billy Pillucere, bass; and Stephen Bucholtz, drums. Morgan, a professional musician at 14, is a drummer, vibraphonist and vocalist who is equally adept whether playing jazz, Dixieland, funk, rock, folk, reggae or classical music. He has performed across the United States with major television and radio personalities and bands including Bob Hope, Phil Harris, Dick Hyman, the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Naples (FL) Jazz Orchestra and University of South Florida Jazz Ensemble. He was also staff musician for the Greenbrier and Homestead Resorts and has played at Longboat Key Club Resort (FL) and Ritz Carlton Resort in Naples, Florida. (http://www.peckmanjazz.com/bios/MORGAN.HTM ; http://billymarcus.com/ ; http://www.allmusic.com/artist/stephen-bucholtz-mn0001421375)
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church, 3975 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota
Tickets/Information: Members $10; Guests $15. Tickets sold at the door. Call the Jazz Club office: 941.366.1552 (Wed.-Thurs.-Fri.) or email: [email protected]
Sunday, January 10, FREE Joy of Jazz concert, 2-4 p.m., Skip’s Dixie Mix
Who/What: Free concert in the Park! Drummer Skip Conkling and bassist Bruce Wallace bring the lively sound of New Orleans jazz with the very popular band “Skip’s Dixie Mix.” They’ll be joined by some of the area’s finest performers for this crowd-pleasing concert: Keith Carman, piano; Dick Hamilton, trumpet; Bill Carmichael, reeds; and Marv Luckett, trombone.
Where: Centennial Park Gazebo, Venice Ave., Venice, FL
Tickets/Information: Free! Bring your chairs or blankets and enjoy a wonderful concert in the park. Call the Jazz Club office: 941.366.1552 (Wed.-Thurs.-Fri.) or email: [email protected]
Sunday, January 10, Sunday, 4 – 10 p.m., Benefit for Julie Royal
Who/What: The Jazz Club of Sarasota and The Starlite Room have teamed with drummer Al Hixon and other musicians to present this fundraiser for Julie Royal, who is facing surgery in her battle against breast cancer. She is the wife of pianist Michael Royal, a musician who plays for the Jazz Club and numerous venues. Dinner and drinks: 4-10 p.m.; jazz performances by national and local musicians: 5-8 p.m. (https://www.facebook.com/Jazz-Club-of-Sarasota-207675489252054/?fref=ts ; http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/alhixon)
Where: The Starlite Room, 1001 Cocoanut Ave., Sarasota
Tickets/Information: Donations accepted at the door. Tyler Yurckonis, owner of The Starlite Room, will also contribute a portion of the dinner revenue. Reservations (not required): 941.702.5613. (www.starlitesrq.com)
Wednesday, January 13, 4:45 – 7:00 p.m., Jazz Meets Art with Andres Colin
Who/What: The Jazz Club of Sarasota joins with Art Center Sarasota for this latest concert in their ongoing series, which presents live jazz performances in a gallery setting. Guitarist/vocalist Andres Colin plays songs ranging Spanish and classical guitar to Johnny Cash and everything in between. He has become a popular performer who can sing in six languages and create songs on the spot. (http://andrescolin.com/)
Where: Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Tickets/Information: Members $10 Jazz Club; Guests $15. Light snacks, cash bar. Tickets sold at the door.
Friday, January 15, 7:30 p.m.: An Evening of Swingin’ Jazz with The Eddie Metz Jr. Trio
Who/What: Drummer Eddie Metz Jr. heads a trio of internationally acclaimed musicians: Australian bassist/vocalist Nicki Parrott and Italian pianist Rossano Sportiello. (http://www.eddiemetzjr.com/ ; http://www.nickiparrott.com/ ; http://www.rossanosportiello.com/)
For over three decades Metz has been the driving force of small groups and large bands that were fronted by Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey and others. He has also accompanied dozens of headliners across the musical spectrum including Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., Rosemary Clooney, the Coasters and Ben Vereen. Nicki Parrott was Les Paul’s bassist for ten years and has more recently performed in numerous venues around the world. Rossano Sportiello is considered one of the masters of classical as well as swing and stride jazz piano stylings.
Where: Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota, FL. Free valet service available.
Tickets/Information: Members $25; Guests $35. Call 800.838.3006, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2465385, call the Jazz Club office at 941.366.1552 (Wed.-Thurs.-Fri.) or email [email protected]
Friday, January 22, Jazz at Two, 2 – 4 p.m., Michael Royal Trio
Who/What: The Michael Royal Trio includes Royal and two acclaimed musician/educators: upright bassist Richard Drexler, a professor at the University of Central Florida; and drummer Thomas Carabasi, a professor of Ringling College of Art and Design. Michael Royal has long been recognized as one of the finest musicians based in this area. The Florida native studied with pianist Jacques Abram at the University of South Florida. Influenced by Debussy, Ravel, Coltrane, Monk, and Bill Evans, Royal continues to evolve his music into an expressive, sensitive style. He has performed extensively throughout North America, Europe, and Asia and has collaborated with many distinguished jazz artists including Red Rodney, John La Porta and the Count Basie Orchestra. Among other activities he performs at Euphemia Haye Restaurant and in February will present two lectures at the Education Center on Longboat Key on jazz and the Great American Songbook. (http://michaelroyal.com/; http://www.markbass.it/artist_detail.php?id=45 for Richard Drexler; http://thomascarabasi.com/links/musician )
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church, 3975 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota
Tickets/Information: Members $10; Guests $15. Tickets sold at the door. Call the Jazz Club office: 941.366.1552 (Wed.-Thurs.-Fri.) or email: [email protected]
Friday, January 29, Jazz at Two, 2-4 p.m., John De Paola Quintet
Who/What: John DePaola Quintet features the popular Valerie Gillespie, reeds and vocals; Duke Ellington alumnus John Lamb, bass; lyrical pianist Jim Roberts; and drummer Ian Goodman, adjunct at Florida Southern College. John De Paola has brought a warm, improvisational approach to his trumpet and flugelhorn performances for Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra Jr., Tony Bennett, The Temptations and others. He has also toured with Broadway musicals and symphony orchestras and plays frequently in central and southern Florida. (http://www.johndepaolamusic.com/ ; http://www.valeriegillespie.com/ ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lamb_(musician) http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jim-roberts-mn0001319808 ; http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jim-roberts-mn0001319808 )
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church, 3975 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota
Tickets/Information: Members $10; Guests $15. Tickets sold at the door. Call the Jazz Club office: 941.366.1552 (Wed.-Thurs.-Fri.) or email: [email protected]
Sunday, January 31, 3 p.m., Sarasota Jazz Project Big Band plays Music from “West Side Story”
Who/What: The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents the 17-piece Sarasota Jazz Project Big Band under the leadership of co-founder and director George McLain, tenor saxophone. The band will play music from “West Side Story” with featured guest artist Greg Nielsen on trombone. The concert is a fundraiser for a band shell to enhance acoustics at the Riverview High School Performing Arts Center. The shell will be named for beloved RHS teacher Andrew J. (Jack) Crew. (http://www.sarasotajazzproject.org/; http://www.riverviewperformingarts.com/ )
Trombonist Greg Nielsen has performed with such greats as Slide Hampton, Nancy Wilson, the Four Tops, Cab Calloway, Ramsey Lewis, Nat Adderley and many others. He is also an educator who has been inspiring young musicians at Booker Middle School for over 27 years.
Where: Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota, FL
Tickets/Information: General Admission $25; Students $10. Call the Jazz Club office: 941.366.1552 (Wed.-Thurs.-Fri.) or email: [email protected]
The Jazz Club of Sarasota, founded in 1980, is dedicated to preserving, promoting and presenting jazz, America’s original musical art form. The Club has provided over 50 jazz-related events annually for more than 35 years. Chief among them is the highly respected Sarasota Jazz Festival, with the 36th Festival set for March 3-12, 2016. In addition to producing numerous jazz events, over the years the Club has granted approximately $200,000 to aspiring young jazz musicians. To learn more, visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org.
Photos
Skip’s Dixie Mix: The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents Skip’s Dixie Mix, a combo headed by drummer Skip Conkling and bassist Bruce Wallace, which brings the lively sound of New Orleans jazz to Centennial Park Gazebo in Venice for a free Joy of Jazz concert on Sunday, January 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. From left: Marv Luckett, trombone; Skip Conkling, drums; Dick Hamilton, trumpet; Bruce Wallace, bass; Bill Carmichael, reeds. Not pictured: Keith Carman, keyboard. (Photo by Gary Hume)
Eddie Metz Jr. Trio: The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents the Eddie Metz Jr. Trio for “An Evening of Swingin’ Jazz” on Friday, January 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center The trio, which performs internationally, comprises Italian pianist Rossano Sportiello, Australian bassist/vocalist Nicki Parrott and American drummer Eddie Metz Jr. (Photo: Carol LoRicco)
Sarasota Jazz Project: George McLain, center (saxophone, red tie) leads the 17-piece Sarasota Jazz Project Big Band featuring trombonist Greg Nielsen on Sunday, January 31, at Riverview Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents this concert, which includes music from “West Side Story,” as a fundraiser for an acoustic band shell at Riverview’s PAC. (Photo: Mike Valasek)
