Jazz Club of Sarasota joins Smithsonian Institution in celebrating April as Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) with concerts in a ballpark, a church, a high school and, in May, on Sarasota Bay
Club presents tribute concerts to Frank Sinatra in the Orioles stadium (April 9) and Harry James (April 16) in Riverview PAC along with two Jazz at Two concerts in the Unitarian Universalist Church and Jazz on the Water cruise.
SARASOTA, FL: The Jazz Club of Sarasota has joined the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution in celebrating April as Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) in honor of jazz as an early American art form. “We are thrilled to participate in this national observance,” said Peg Pluto, president. The Club’s schedule for the rest of April includes two tribute concerts and two Jazz at Two concerts. Not content to stop performing when April ends, the Club is also presenting a jazz cruise on Sarasota Bay on May 1.
TRIBUTE CONCERTS
Saturday, April 9: Jazz in the Ballpark, 7-9 p.m., “Music of Sinatra & Friends” by Sarasota Jazz Project Big Band & Vocalist Lisanne Lyons. Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th Street, Sarasota
The Jazz Club of Sarasota and the Orioles team up for the first time to bring a live, big-band jazz concert to the Left Field Pavilion at Ed Smith Stadium. The concert, titled “The Music of Sinatra and Friends,” features the Sarasota Jazz Project, a 17-piece big band under the direction of co-founder and tenor sax player George McLain, sensational Miami-based jazz singer Lisanne Lyons and an “Armed Forces Salute.”
Reserved seats at $30 and $20 include table tops or counters for food and beverages. Parking is $5 in the East Lot, with a portion of proceeds supporting the Sarasota Y. Tickets: Orioles’ box office Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; by phone at 941-893-6300; or online by clicking “Events” at jazzclubsarasota.org <http://www.jazzclubsarasota.org/> .
- Arts in the Ballpark overview: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/bal/spring_training/arts.jsp
- Jazz in the Ballpark event: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/bal/spring_training/jazz.jsp
- Jazz Club of Sarasota website: http://jazzclubsarasota.org/events–2
Saturday, April 16, 7:30 p.m.: Nate Najar Trio and James Suggs Play the Music Of Harry James.Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota
The Nate Najar Trio and trumpeter James Suggs perform the Music of Harry James to mark the centennial of James’s birth. Nate Najar has received international recognition as a fingerstyle guitarist, using a classical guitar to play jazz music. The musician/producer/composer regularly places at the top of jazz music charts for his artistry. He has performed for international festivals, concerts and television and also composed for film. James Suggs was the trumpet soloist in the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Larry O’Brien, touring the United States. He also played in Argentina for eight years, has toured the world and has performed with musical legends including Kenny Burrell, Maria Schneider and Sean Jones.
Tickets: Advance purchase, Jazz Club members $15; Guests $20; on sale from March 18 from brownpapertickets.com or 1.800.838.3006; Purchase at the door:
Jazz Club members $20; Guests $25
JAZZ AT TWO CONCERTS
Jazz at Two concerts are presented at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3975 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, from 2–4 p.m.
Friday, Apr. 8: Butch Thomas Quartet. Saxophone player Butch Thomas began his career in NYC with the great instrumentalist and composer Jaco Pastorius. He continued to perform with name performers including The Temptations and Lenny Kravitz . He has numerous recording and video credits and has been in the FOX Network detective series “New York Undercover,” appearing with featured guests including Al Jarreau, Al Green, Mavis Stables, Mary J. Blige, and many others. He also toured with Sting and played for James Taylor, Elton John, Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin, among others.
Friday, Apr. 15: Patricia Dean Trio. Patricia Dean is both drummer and vocalist. As a drummer, she’s an inspiring time-keeper, accompanist and soloist. As a jazz vocalist, Dean is swinging, sensitive, and wonderfully musical.
Admission: Members $10; Guests $15. Tickets are sold at the door. Information: Jazz Club office (941-366-1552, Wed.-Fri., 9-5) and www.jazzclubsarasota.org.
JAZZ CRUISE
Sunday, May 1, 3 p.m.: Jazz on the Water with Skip’s Dixie Mix. Marina Jack II, Marina Jack Plaza, US 41 and Main St, Sarasota, FL
Enjoy an afternoon cruise on Sarasota Bay with other jazz lovers, accompanied by the music of Skip’s Dixie Mix.
Tickets: Jazz Club members $30; Guests $35; available from www.jazzclubsarasota.org, [email protected] and 941.366.1552 (Wed.-Fri., 9-5).
The Jazz Club of Sarasota, founded in 1980, is dedicated to preserving, promoting, presenting and educating people about jazz, America’s original musical art form. The Club has provided over 50 jazz-related events annually for more than 35 years including the highly respected annual Sarasota Jazz Festival. In addition to producing jazz events, over the years the Club has granted approximately $200,000 to aspiring young jazz musicians. To learn more, visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org.
