Review of the The Jazz Club of Sarasota First Annual Oktoberfest Trolly and Pub Crawl on Wednesday evening, October 7th, in downtown Sarasota

By: Carole Kaye

The Jazz Club of Sarasota held its First Annual Oktoberfest Trolly and Pub Crawl on Wednesday evening, October 7th, in downtown Sarasota. Eight jazz groups were showcased from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at eight different welcoming venues. This writer had intended to travel on the Trolly to enjoy the music of at least five or six groups. However, during the four hours of the pub crawl, I was only able to hear three groups. The music was so outstanding, I could not leave a venue in the middle of a set, and time simply ran out to go elsewhere. I heard similar comments from others on the pub crawl.

The five piece group, Bill Buchman Jazz/The Art of Jazz, entertained at The Gator Club, performing flawlessly to a rapt audience. At Z’s on Main, the Tom Carabasi Samba Jazz Quartet played jazz with a decidedly Brazilian rhythm. At The Blue Rooster, the Bob Minor Quartet played outstandingly with a terrific vocalist, Synia Carroll, bringing people to the dance floor. All of the musicians I heard were experienced, highly skilled professionals. The wait staff at each venue was friendly and efficient.

Riding the trollies was fun, but it was such a beautiful evening that many people chose to walk between venues.

The Jazz Club of Sarasota did a great job in organizing this event and coordinating the jazz groups with the venues. I cannot wait for the next Jazz Club’s event.

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Jazz Club of Sarasota introduces Oktoberfest Pub Crawl on October 7

SARASOTA, FL: The Jazz Club of Sarasota is making final preparations for its first-ever Oktoberfest Pub Crawl, modeled after its Jazz Caravan by Trolley, a popular feature of the annual Sarasota Jazz Festival since 1998. The new event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, at eight venues in downtown Sarasota. Jazz fans can hop on and off a jazz trolley for short jaunts to these locations, with a different jazz group playing in each one:

• Old School Bar & Grill, 1991 Main Street: Bruce Wallace & Skip’s Dixie Mix
• Sarasota Wine Bar and Bistro, 1528 Main Street: David Pruyn Jazz Quartet

• The Gator Club, 1490 Main Street: Bill Buchman and His Swingin’ Group

• Z’s on Main Restaurant & Bar, 1454 Main Street: Tom Carabasi Samba Jazz Quartet
• Salute! Ristorante, 23 N. Lemon Avenue: Al Hixon & “That Jazz Band”
• Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth Street: Bob Miner with Joe Bruno Jr. & Synia Carroll
• Mandeville Beer Garden, 428 N. Lemon Avenue: James Williams & “All That Jazz” with Joe Bruno Sr.
• Starlite Room, 1001 Coconut Avenue: Katt Hefner & Lady K’s Jazz

The Oktoberfest Jazz Trolleys will make loops among the venues from 6 to 10 p.m. starting at Old School Bar & Grill and the north parking lot of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Trail. Afterwards, jazz lovers can return to Old School for a free jazz jam from 10:30 to midnight.

Admission is $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased online at http://jazzclubsarasota.org/events–2 and by phone at 941-366-1552. On the day of the event, tickets will be available after 5 p.m. at “Will Call” at Old School Bar & Grill. For further information, visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org or phone 941.366.1552.

The Jazz Club of Sarasota, founded in 1980, is one of the most active jazz clubs in the United States. 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 36^th 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.