St. Petersburg Jazz Festival

Location: St. Petersburg, Fl
Date: April 1-6, 2024

With 14 years of history, the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival is presented by David Mansonand the nonprofit EMIT and features unique jazz artists in many jazz genres. Workshops and educational activities are also incorporated into the jazz festival. Concerts take place in the Museum of Fine Arts, American Stage and the Palladium Theater where pleasant acoustic environments and listening are the primary focus.

The St. Petersburg Jazz Festival is sponsored in part by EMIT, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, Florida Council on Arts and Culture, City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas Community Foundation and Creative Pinellas.

Jazz Vocalist Workshop with Alexis Cole
Monday, April 1
12:30 – 1:30 in HS 109
EMIT & SPC Music Department.

Alexis Cole is founder of JazzVoice.com and the annual Vocal Jazz Summit. She gives a free vocal workshop at St. Petersburg College.

Alexis Cole & Helios Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, April 2
7:30 PM at the Palladium Side Door

“We’ve been waiting for the next great singer to come along, and finally…Alexis”– Swing Journal Japan

Called “one of the great voices of today,” With a dozen albums Alexis Cole has been compared to classic jazz singers such as Sarah Vaughan and Anita O’Day. Her luxurious voice and innovative interpretations make her an instant favorite with audiences of all ages. Cole is the recipient of a Swing Journal Gold Disk award and was a winner of the NY Jazzmobile and Montreux Jazz Festival vocal competitions, and a finalist of the Sarah Vaughan Competition. She records for Motéma Music, NY, Chesky Records, NY and Venus Records, Japan. Her twelve recordings, which feature musical luminaries such as Fred Hersch, Eric Alexander, Matt Wilson, Harry Pickens, Don Braden and Pat LaBarbara, have received high praise in the jazz press and are spun on radio world-wide. In addition to her many performances at top jazz venues like Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, The Jazz Standard, Blues Alley, and Billboard Live, she’s also performed at Avery Fisher Hall and the Kennedy Center and had been a featured soloist with the Boston Pops and NY Philharmonic.

The 18-member Helios Jazz Orchestra, directed by Dr. David Manson, has been featured on the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, and Ybor Jazz Festival. It is comprised of top area jazz musicians who love the sound of a roaring jazz big band! Presented by EMIT. For tickets, see www.mypalladium.org .

Mauricio Rodriguez & The Latin Jazz Project"
Wednesday, April 3
7:30 PM at the Palladium Side Door

This concert will mix original work composed by Mauricio J. Rodriguez with a mixture of the new Cuban contemporary music and some Latin jazz staples. Bassist, composer, producer, and educator, Mauricio J Rodriguez is one of the finest musicians of his generation in Cuba. He was member of Fervet Opus jazz quartet, one of the most important Latin jazz bands in Cuba in the 80’s, touring around the world to many festivals and concert including The Havana Latin Jazz Festival, Jamboree, Bratislava, Spain, and Moscow, among others. He teaches at Saint Leo University. Performers include Zachary Bornheimer- saxophone, Pablo Arencibia - piano, Andy Forner- drums and Mauricio Rodriguez- bass. Presented by EMIT.For tickets, see www.mypalladium.org.

Brazilian Percussion Workshop with Rafael Pereira

Thursday, April 4
12:30 – 1:45 PM at SPC-Gibbs campus in room HS 109

Rafael Pereira directs a free interactive Brazilian percussion workshop exploring rhythmic styles including samba, Bossa Nova and Baião. Presented by EMIT, CETL & SPC Music Department.

Markus Gottschlich Trio
Thursday, April 4
7:30 PM at the Music Center at St. Petersburg College

“His compositional skills and his dazzling pianism give full rein to his expressive spirit, as heard on his latest recording, Found Sounds” – Musically Speaking.

Embark on a highly entertaining evening with the Markus Gottschlich Trio, led by the internationally acclaimed pianist hailing from Vienna, Austria. Described by Albuquerque Magazine as "a lyrical, high-energy, and risk-taking artist," Markus Gottschlich, a distinguished Steinway Artist, infuses his performances with “melodically remarkable ideas“ as applauded by The Standard, Austria.

Making a St. Petersburg Jazz Festival debut, the Trio unveils premieres alongside selections from the albums "Found Sounds" and "Of Places Between." Performers include Jose Javier Freire (drums), Noam Tanzer (bass) and Markus Gottschlich (piano).

With a global presence on festival stages from Europe to the US to Asia, the Markus Gottschlich Trio promises an evening of jazz that transcends borders, showcasing a distinctive artistry that resonates across continents. Presented by EMIT & SPC. For tickets, see https://markusgottschlich.eventbrite.com

O Som Do Jazz with special guests Rafael Pereira & Jose Valentino Ruiz
Friday, April 5 at 7:30 PM
Warehouse Arts District
 

O Som Do Jazz features Rio de Janeiro singer Andrea Moraes Manson and a crew of experienced musicians performing samba-jazz, Bossa Nova, Balanço, Baião and MPB. O Som Do Jazz (the sound of jazz in Portuguese) recaptures the grace, energy and spirit of Brazilian music. With four CDs and original music placed on BBC, Fox and HBO, O Som Do Jazz is a Florida favorite with performances on the Miami International Jazz Fest, DTO Jazz Fest, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Mod Miami, Pensacola Jazz Fest and more. Special guest Rafael Pereira's performing resume includes the GRAMMYs, SNL, Janelle Monae, Prince, Bruno Mars, and many more. José Valentino Ruiz is an EMMY Award Winner, a multi-GRAMMY Award nominated artist-producer-engineer, a multi-instrumentalist, composer and professor at the University of Florida. Presented by EMIT & WADA. For tickets, see https://osomdojazz.eventbrite.com .

Hot Club SRQ

Saturday, April 6
7:30 PM at the Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement

Hot Club SRQ plays Gypsy Jazz that is deeply rooted in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. This music simply swings and is full of beauty and romance! The quartet emulates the style of what the French call "Jazz Manouche" and "Le Jazz Hot" in the style of Sinti virtuosos and the "Quintette du Hot Club de France." The heart of this ensemble is the violin and vocals of Keven Aland, the guitar of Jon McLaughlin, bass playing of Glenn Stevenson and world-renowned Brazilian valve trombonist François de Lima. Their string jazz ensemble has been thoughtfully cultivated and crafted for over a decade. There is a genuine warmth and connection that is unique to this ensemble. This group can swing ferociously then suddenly hypnotize you with a beautiful ballad. Presented by EMIT & MAACM. For tickets, see https://hotclubsrq.eventbrite.com .

Would you like to be part of this new Florida jazz tradition? Contact Director David Manson to talk with him about concerts and sponsorship: mansond@spcollege.edu