The Jazz Club of Sarasota Presents
“Joy of Jazz” with The Venturas
April 12, 2 p.m. § Centennial Park in Venice § Free
The Jazz Club of Sarasota concludes its 2015 Joy of Jazz season with the inimitable jazz and blues sounds of The Venturas.
(Sarasota, Florida) The Jazz Club of Sarasota closes out its 2015 Joy of Jazz season with the swinging sounds of the Venturas, featuring vocalist Ally Couch, bassist J.P. Coley, guitarist Greg Poulos, drummer Art Tanturri and pianist Eddie Tobin, Sunday, April 12, 2 p.m., in Centennial Park, 200 West Venice Avenue, in Venice. The popular ensemble will serve up one of its trademark impromptu mixes of jazz standards from the 30’s and 40’s, jazzy blues, and more. The concert is free but donations are accepted in support of the Jazz Club’s scholarship fund. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, call 941-366-1552 or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org. The series is sponsored, in part, by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
Long a popular staple on the area live music circuit, the Venturas were initially formed in 2000 by drummer Art Siegel, bassist John Paul “J.P.” Coley, and guitarist Greg Poulos, who had performed together since 1996. Poulos has played guitar professionally for 42 years and, during that time, has shared the stage with such luminaries as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Albert Collins. Bassist J.P. Coley began making music at age 12, beginning with piano lessons and then switching to bass in order to embark on a professional career that includes performances with such varied artists as Rock Bottom, Roy Book Binder, Mike Markaverich, Leon Meriam and the West Coast Big Band. Veteran keyboardist Eddie Tobin and vocalist Ally Couch joined the Venturas in 2004. The band recently added drummer Art Tanturri, a newcomer to Sarasota. For this Joy of Jazz performance, Poulos promises a high-energy, foot-tapping mix of jazz standards, blues, and more.
“We strive to make each concert personal and unique, so we never use a set list,” says Poulos. “We like to let the audience inspire the tunes!” He adds that the concert will be one of the group’s final performances with vocalist Ally Couch, who is leaving after more than 10 years with the band.
Jazz Club of Sarasota board member and series producer Carolyn Curry promises another inspired afternoon of great music. “With their high energy and stellar musicianship, the Venturas will have the gazebo of Centennial Park swinging throughout the afternoon!”
For more information about the Jazz Club of Sarasota, call 941-366-1552, or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org.
About the Jazz Club of Sarasota
The Jazz Club of Sarasota’s mission is to promote, preserve, and educate people about jazz, the original American art form. Founded in 1980 by the late Hal Davis, the club presents ongoing concert series, events, lectures and the annual Sarasota Jazz Festival.
