Some great history comes together for the Gulf Jazz Society July event on Wednesday evening July 12, 2023 at Roberts Hall in Lynn Haven, Florida. The music will have a Dixieland Jazz flavor. Dixieland Jazz began in New Orleans in the early 1900’s. Roberts Hall was built in 1912. The featured music will be presented in the style from the old Commanders Palace by The Bill Garrett Trio with Bill Garrett on Guitar and doing classic Jazz vocals, Bob Maysymkow on Clarinet and reeds, and Steve Gilmore on the Double Bass.
You’ll recognize Bill Garrett by his tastefully tacky Hawaiian shirts. Bill is a veteran of many bands including long time favorites Hubba Hubba and the New Orleans Ramblers, a traditional Jazz trio that came together at the Commanders Palace in Destin. Bill has won the Beachcombers Newspaper’s “American Artist” Lifetime Achievement and Best Bassist awards. In 2019 Bill released a CD, “Everybody Eats When They Come to My House”, a collection of songs that are food and drink related.
Bob Maksymkow often performs with Dixieland Jazz groups playing the Clarinet or Saxophone. He is a Julliard graduate and consummate Jazz artist. He has performed with Les, Brown, Glenn Miller, Les Elgart and Frank Sinatra to name a few.
According to Robert Thomas Walker, Vice-Chair of the Heritage Society of Lynn Haven, Roberts Hall was built in 1912 by the Odd Fellows to be used for their lodge and as a place for entertainers to perform like Hank Williams Sr did back in 1940. (Does anyone have pictures or copies of news stories about any of those shows? If you do, send the information to CAL4GJS@GMAIL.COM
Roberts Hall is at 831 Florida Avenue in Lynn Haven half a mile north of the 77 and 360 traffic lights and then one block west on 9th Street. (which is also one block west of the Lynn Haven City Hall.)
Their interesting menu items include “The Gettysburger” “Bulogi Pork” “Nashville Hot Chicken” “Ahi Tuna” and others. Alcoholic beverages will be BYOB, setups and a variety of deserts will be available inside.
