The storm Nicole has headed up to Alabama and Georgia… so hopefully the only STORMY WEATHER we should have this weekend at the 21st Annual Jazz By The Bay Festival will be if one of our performers plays that song!
This year it’s a 3-day event AND IT IS FREE EVERY DAY. Be Sure to bring your lawn chairs because it is in the Historic Oaks By The Bay park in St. Andrews. It kicks off at 6:00pm with the Dixie Gents, a great Dixieland style Quintet led by Pensacola saxophonist Bob Maksymkow and his all star group includes Trumpet-Paul Scurto, Piano-Dr.Jill Wolsey, Grammy winner Steve Gilmore on the Gass and Pete Wyner on Bass.
Then at 7:45pm Our Headliner is Stephanie Nakasian well known as one of the leading Jazz singers in the world with 13 recordings and many appearances on the Internationally famous broadcast “Riverwalk”. She has been a headline performer at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Northsear Jazz Festival, Jazz Party at Sea and the NC Jazz Fest for a little name dropping. AND REMEMBER THIS FESTIVAL IS FREE…JUST BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIRS.
Saturday the music starts at 1:00pm with the Mike Levine Latin Band featuring Pianist Mike Levine.. easily among jazz greats like David Benoit, Brian Culbertson and Gregg Karukas.
Next at 2:45pm Stephanie Nakasian will treat the audience to an Encore performance. She will be joined by the Mike Levine Trio.
At 4:30pm the Sean Dietrich trio with Steve Gilmore and Peter Weyner will be on the stage. You never know if Sean is going to be singing or telling one of his stories.
With the nightcap starting at 5:45 pm one of the most award winning groups in the Florida Panhandle, Jones and Company will send you home snapping your fingers and tapping your toes after you hear their traditional Jazz music blending Funk, R&B, Sout and World Music.
Sunday afternoon is totally devoted to the young Jazz Talent of Bay County. A major mission of the Gulf Jazz Society for our 25 years has been to encourage young students in becoming Jazz Artists of the Future. Earlier this year thanks to some wonderful benefactors we were able to give a total of $3,000 in scholarships to 6 students so they could attend Summer Jazz Camps. Some of those young musicians will be part of the music that starts at 1:00 pm.
We will have the Jesse Reese High School Jazz Sextet. Then followed by the Arnold High School Jazz Band.
We hope you will join us for this three day event…. pick up a new souvenir T-Shirt and Hat… and we would really like your supporting membership. Come see us at the BIG Tent.