The Gulf Jazz Society will present in concert the outstanding guitarist Steve Cosper, along with vocalist Sheila Ford, and bassist Steve Gilmore.

 After graduation, Panama City resident Stephan Cosper joined the U.S. Army as a guitarist, auditioned and won the guitar chair with “Jazz Ambassadors”, the official touring orchestra of the U. S. Army. Stephen spent the next 20 years touring all 50 states multiple times, playing major jazz festivals in Europe and Canada, and recorded many albums with the Ambassadors. Other notable tours include India, Japan, and Mexico. Stephen retired from the Army and now lives in Tulsa, OK, playing gigs, and teaching privately.

Sheila Ford, quickly becoming a Panama City favorite, is a Berklee College of Music Alumni, and has performed at Blues Alley, The Kennedy Center, New York City’s Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, and festivals all over the globe. In addition, she has appeared on over 100 recordings, including her own CD “Here You Are.”

Bassist Steve Gilmore has performed with such notables as alto great Phil Woods, Tony Bennett, Jim Hall, and Tom Waits to name just a few.