Monday, November 2, 2026

Central Florida Jazz Society Presents Django Festival All-Stars at Judson’s Live, November 7–8, 2026

Experience International Gypsy Jazz at Judson’s Live!

Saturday & Sunday, November 7–8, 2026
Django Festival All-Stars
at
Judson’s Live at Dr. Phillips Center
445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
MAP  |  WEBSITE

Making their Orlando debut, the Django Festival All-Stars bring the spirit and swing of legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt to Judson’s Live at Dr. Phillips Center on Saturday and Sunday, November 7–8, 2026, with four performances presented by the Central Florida Jazz Society, supported by Douglas Glicken.

Led by guitarist Samson Schmitt, son of renowned gypsy jazz guitarist Dorado Schmitt, this internationally recognized acoustic ensemble carries the musical traditions of 1930s Parisian jazz into contemporary performances. The group's sound combines lead and rhythm guitars, violin, accordion, and bass, reflecting the influence of Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli while incorporating original compositions.

The five-member touring ensemble features Samson Schmitt (lead guitar), Ludovic Beier (accordion and accordina), Pierre Blanchard (violin), Antonio Licusati (bass), and Francko Mehrstein (rhythm guitar).

The Orlando engagement is part of the Django Festival All-Stars' 2026–2027 tour, which continues with appearances at the Django Reinhardt New York Festival at Dizzy's Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center, November 11–15, followed by engagements in Houston, San Francisco, and Oregon. The group is also touring in support of its new 2026 Motéma Music album, Evolution, featuring original compositions written and arranged by members of the ensemble.

The Django Festival All-Stars' only scheduled appearances in Florida, Georgia, or Alabama on their 2026–2027 tour make Orlando a destination for jazz enthusiasts from throughout the region. Judson's Live at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts offers an intimate setting for experiencing this internationally acclaimed ensemble.

FOUR PERFORMANCES — TWO DAYS
Saturday, November 7: 6:30 PM & 9:00 PM
Sunday, November 8: 5:00 PM & 7:30 PM

ARTIST WEBSITE

JUDSON’S LIVE
Central Florida Jazz Society Performances in Orlando
Judson’s Live at Dr. Phillips Center
445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
MAP
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:
Friday, November 20, 2026
Kandace Springs
Wednesday & Thursday, December 9–10, 2026
Svetlana with the Orlando Jazz Orchestra — Holiday Show
Friday & Saturday, February 26–27, 2027
Champian Fulton with the Orlando Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, April 13, 2027
Stacey Kent
BLUE BAMBOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Central Florida Jazz Society Performances in Winter Park
Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts
460 E. New England Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789
MAP
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:
Sunday, November 15, 2026
A Perfect Match: A Tribute to Art Van Damme and Johnny Smith
Sunday, December 13, 2026
Joe Young Quintet
Sunday, January 10, 2027
Diego "Bakudan" Rivera — Latin Jazz
Sunday, February 21, 2027
UCF Flying Horse Big Band
Sunday, March 14, 2027
Osceola County School for the Arts Big Band
Sunday, April 11, 2027
Ladies in Jazz
Sunday, May 16, 2027
Hall of Fame Show
CONNECT WITH THE SOCIETY:

About the Central Florida Jazz Society

Founded in 1974, the Central Florida Jazz Society is a Florida 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting jazz. From Dixieland and big-band swing to blues, ballads, and contemporary styles, the Society supports a wide range of jazz presentations and community programs.

Its mission includes:

  • Preservation — Supporting jazz as an important cultural contribution.
  • Presentation — Hosting regular concerts featuring a variety of jazz styles.
  • Promotion — Supporting live jazz and Central Florida musicians through its publication, Blue Notes.
  • Education — Providing scholarships and supporting jazz education in the community.
Membership

The Central Florida Jazz Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing jazz through performances, education, and outreach activities. Programs are supported in part through membership donations.

Membership support helps fund CFJS jazz concert presentations, in-school jazz performances, community concerts, jazz jam sessions for student musicians, the Scholarship Program, and other jazz-related events and activities.

Membership benefits include:

  • Discounts on individual jazz concert tickets
  • Quarterly Blue Notes Newsletter, monthly E-News emails, and concert/event reminders
  • Advance notification of upcoming CFJS events and activities
  • Invitations to special events including the annual CFJS Gala
  • The satisfaction of supporting jazz in Central Florida (and beyond)

Join today: CFJS Membership Information & Registration

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Sunday, November 1, 2026

Selwyn Birchwood Brings Contemporary Blues to Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach November 6, with Daniel “Saxman” Fuqua

View as web page.
fACA Live presents Selwyn Birchwood with Daniel Saxman Fuqua, November 6, 2026, at Atlantic Center for the Arts
Friday, November 6, 2026 | 6:30–9:00 PM
Selwyn Birchwood
with Daniel "Saxman" Fuqua
at
Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA)
Urban Amphitheater
1414 Art Center Avenue
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
MAP  |  WEBSITE
(386) 427-6975
General Admission & VIP Seating
FACEBOOK EVENT - Invite your friends!

ACA Live presents Selwyn Birchwood at the Atlantic Center for the Arts Urban Amphitheater on Friday, November 6, 2026. The Florida-born blues guitarist, lap steel player, vocalist and songwriter brings his original blend of blues, funk, soul and Southern roots music to New Smyrna Beach. Opening the evening will be Florida saxophonist Daniel "Saxman" Fuqua.

Birchwood has developed a national and international following with a sound he describes as "Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues." The Orlando-born musician formed the Selwyn Birchwood Band in Tampa in 2010 after spending formative years touring with veteran bluesman Sonny Rhodes.

Birchwood went on to win the Blues Foundation's 2013 International Blues Challenge in the band category, along with the Albert King Guitarist of the Year award. His accomplishments helped establish a recording relationship with Alligator Records.

His 2026 Alligator Records release, Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues, continues his emphasis on original material while exploring the musical territory surrounding his guitar, lap steel and vocals. Released March 27, 2026, the album features ten original compositions written and arranged by Birchwood, who also produced the recording. The project combines blues foundations with funk rhythms, soul, organ, horns and other musical textures.

Two longtime members of Birchwood's musical team contribute to the sound heard on the new album and previous recordings.

Regi Oliver performs on baritone, tenor, alto and bass saxophones, as well as flute. His instrumental contributions have become an identifiable part of Birchwood's recorded music, with the lower-register saxophones adding another musical voice alongside Birchwood's guitar and lap steel. Oliver's association with Birchwood extends back to the early years of the band.

Donald "Huff" Wright is another longtime member of the Selwyn Birchwood lineup. His bass playing provides the rhythmic foundation on multiple Alligator Records releases, including Don't Call No Ambulance, Living in a Burning House and the 2026 Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues. His work contributes to the combination of blues, funk and soul heard throughout the band's recordings.

Opening the concert will be Daniel "Saxman" Fuqua, a Florida saxophonist and vocalist with more than two decades of performance experience. Fuqua began playing saxophone at age 11 and later performed in jazz ensembles before developing a professional career that has included concerts, restaurants, private events and corporate performances throughout Florida and beyond.

Fuqua's musical background includes jazz, R&B, gospel and other styles. His performances combine saxophone and vocals, bringing another dimension of Florida-based musical talent to the ACA Live concert program.

Connect with Atlantic Center for the Arts:
WEBSITE  |  INSTAGRAM  |  FACEBOOK

ABOUT ATLANTIC CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Founded in 1977 by artist and environmentalist Doris Leeper, Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA) is a nonprofit multidisciplinary arts organization in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. ACA supports artistic development through its internationally recognized artist residency program, bringing together established and emerging artists working in music, visual arts, literature, dance and other creative disciplines.

Its programs also include exhibitions, performances, educational workshops and community arts initiatives serving participants of all ages.

Located on a wooded campus overlooking Turnbull Bay, ACA provides an environment where artistic collaboration and the natural surroundings are closely connected. The campus includes professional studios, galleries, performance spaces and an outdoor amphitheater that hosts live music and cultural events.

Atlantic Center for the Arts logo
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Blue Tavern Tallahassee Deserves Its Community Through November 21 — Come Out Often and Support Live Music

Updated 11/2/26
THREE WEEKS TO SHOW UP FOR BLUE TAVERN!
Support Tallahassee's Blue Tavern Through November 21, 2026
Still having more fun!
1206 N. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32303
MAP   |   WEBSITE   |   FACEBOOK
Tues–Fri: 5pm–11pm
Sat: 4pm–11pm
Closed Sunday & Monday

Tallahassee's Blue Tavern needs its community now more than ever. After years of presenting live music, supporting working musicians, and providing a gathering place for people who appreciate the arts, Blue Tavern has announced that it will temporarily close after Saturday, November 21, 2026. Whether that closure becomes permanent remains to be determined.

In an October 29 Facebook announcement, Blue Tavern explained that its best-case scenario involves closing through December and reopening in January under new ownership. If a transition cannot be arranged, the venue may close permanently.

That makes the next three weeks especially important.

Jazz Blues Florida encourages everyone within reach of Tallahassee to visit Blue Tavern as often as possible between now and November 21. Attend a performance, come out for a jam session, bring friends, introduce someone new to the venue, and purchase food and beverages while you're there.

One visit is helpful. Multiple visits can make an even greater difference. Regular patronage during these final scheduled weeks can provide immediate business support while the current owner works toward a possible transition.

This is an opportunity to support both the venue and the musicians who make its programming possible. Whether the evening features blues, jazz, folk, bluegrass, Americana, or another musical tradition, the important thing is to get out, participate, and support live music.

Blue Tavern's contribution to Tallahassee's musical and cultural community extends well beyond any single performance. Its intimate listening environment, regular opportunities for musicians to play together, and support for local and touring artists have made it an important part of Florida's independent live music scene.

Don't wait until November 21 to make that visit. There are opportunities throughout the month to help.

BLUE TAVERN – NOVEMBER 2026
FINAL SCHEDULED WEEKS BEFORE TEMPORARY CLOSURE
One purchase minimum at all events, please.
NOV 3: 5p Rhys Bennett – Piano; 8p Bluesday: Blues Meets Girl.
NOV 4: 5p Colten Hood; 7p Open Mic Night.
NOV 5: 5p Bluegrass Jam; 8p Listening Party: VOICES.
NOV 6: 5p Elizabeth Fravel; 8p Pat Puckett.
NOV 7: 12p BT Cabaret: Drag Brunch; 4p Jug Band Jam; 8p Danny Bedrosian; 10:15p Little Mercies Party.
NOV 10: 5p Rhys Bennett – Piano; 8p Bluesday: Rev. Robert.
NOV 11: 5p Robynn O'Leary; 7p Open Mic Night.
NOV 12: 5p Mes Amis; 8p Open Jazz Jam.
NOV 13: 5p Bottom Dollar Boys; 8p Songwriters in the Round.
NOV 14: 4p Old Time Jam; 8p Paddy League / Miss Mango.
NOV 17: 5p Rhys Bennett – Piano; 8p Bluesday: Jon Copps.
NOV 18: 5p Corey Hall; 7p Open Mic Night.
NOV 19: 6p Science Salon; 8p Bryan Bielanski.
NOV 20: 5p Brett Eugene; 8p Reckless Saints.
NOV 21: 4p Irish Session; 8p JC & the Backscratchers.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 – LAST SCHEDULED DAY BEFORE CLOSURE
All shows are all-ages and non-smoking/vaping. A designated outdoor smoking area is available in the backyard. Please check the venue's website or Facebook page for schedule updates, admission information, and other details.
WHY SHOWING UP MATTERS

Independent music venues depend on people who do more than appreciate their existence. They depend on people who come through the door, attend performances, purchase refreshments, and make live music part of their regular activities.

Blue Tavern has provided a welcoming space for music and conversation in Midtown Tallahassee, presenting established performers alongside emerging musicians and giving audiences opportunities to discover artists they might not otherwise hear.

Its calendar reflects that commitment. Weekly Bluesday performances, the Open Jazz Jam, open mic nights, acoustic performances, and traditional music gatherings provide opportunities for musicians and audiences to connect.

Blue Tavern also serves beer, wine, coffee, tea, and sodas, along with house-made soups, sandwiches, baked goods, and snacks. Stopping in for a drink or something to eat is another practical way to support the business.

The most useful expression of support right now is participation. Choose several dates from the November calendar. Invite someone who has never visited. Share the schedule with people who live in or near Tallahassee. Encourage fellow music supporters to attend while the doors remain open.

Every additional customer contributes to business activity during a critical period. Although attendance alone cannot guarantee a successful ownership transition, a strong community response can help the current operation finish November on better footing.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER NOVEMBER 21?

According to Blue Tavern's October 29 announcement, musicians booked for December have already been notified of the temporary closure. The venue's Open Mic Night will continue during December at the neighboring Req Room.

Blue Tavern has also contacted its Patreon supporters with information about options and plans. Existing Patreon members are encouraged to review that communication.

The preferred outcome is a transition to new ownership, with Blue Tavern reopening in January 2027. That possibility has not been confirmed, and permanent closure remains another potential outcome.

For now, the focus is on making the most of the remaining November schedule and supporting the people who have kept the venue operating.

COME OFTEN. BRING FRIENDS. SUPPORT THE MUSIC.

For those who have attended countless performances at Blue Tavern, now is a good time to return. For those who have been meaning to visit, November offers plenty of opportunities. And for anyone who appreciates a healthy live music community, the next three weeks provide a practical way to help sustain one of Tallahassee's important independent music spaces.

Jazz Blues Florida encourages the Tallahassee music community to make Blue Tavern a regular stop through November 21. Support the performers, support the staff, and support the business while the possibility of a new chapter is being explored.

Whatever happens after November, Blue Tavern's years of contributions to Florida's live music community deserve recognition through the most meaningful action audiences can take: showing up.

FOLLOW BLUE TAVERN FOR UPDATES
WEBSITE   |   FACEBOOK   |   INSTAGRAM
BLUE TAVERN – OTHER NEWS
When going gets tough,
everyone comes here.
Blue Tavern logo
Always expect . . .
GREAT MUSIC, GOOD TIMES
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Miami's Young Musicians Unite Receives $600,000 Grant to Expand Music Education to 2,200 More Students

 EDU PSA

State Funding Will Bring Free Music Instruction to 11 Additional Miami-Dade Schools

Young Musicians Unite, a Miami-based nonprofit dedicated to providing free music education to students, has received $600,000 in state funding to expand its programs into 11 additional Miami-Dade County schools, bringing music instruction to approximately 2,200 more students.

The funding, provided through the Florida Division of Arts and Culture, represents the organization's first state grant. The development was reported by WLRN Public Media on October 26, 2026.

Founded by Sammy Gonzalez Zeira, who serves as CEO, Young Musicians Unite works with schools and community partners to make music education accessible to students regardless of their economic circumstances. Its programs serve students in grades 5–12, offering classroom instruction and opportunities to develop musical skills through ensemble participation.

The organization also provides advanced musical development through after-school performing ensembles, including jazz ensembles, where students gain experience in collaboration, musicianship and live performance.

According to Young Musicians Unite, its 2026–2027 programs serve more than 21,000 students through partnerships with 131 schools. The newly announced funding will support further expansion of music education opportunities throughout Miami-Dade County.

Beyond instrumental instruction, the organization's educational approach emphasizes student development, confidence, teamwork and academic engagement. Young Musicians Unite reports improvements in academic performance, attendance and student motivation among participants in its programs.

For Florida's jazz community, the expansion is particularly relevant. Accessible music education and opportunities to participate in jazz ensembles help introduce younger generations to improvisation, ensemble playing and the musical traditions that support Florida's continuing jazz heritage.

The additional funding will help extend those educational opportunities to students who might otherwise have limited access to organized music instruction.

MORE INFORMATION:

Young Musicians Unite: https://ymu.org/

Jazz Blues Florida shares educational and community music news to recognize organizations, educators and programs supporting the development of jazz and blues music throughout Florida. Educational organizations are welcome to submit relevant announcements for consideration at no cost or obligation.

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Florida Jazz Artists Represented on JazzWeek Charts for November 2, 2026 - Three New Florida-Related Artists Added This Week

Jazz Blues Florida congratulates these Florida-connected artists represented on the JazzWeek National Airplay Charts of November 2, 2026, published at https://www.jazzweek.com/charts/. The charts reflect reported jazz radio airplay from the preceding reporting period. 

New to this week's Jazz Blues Florida JazzWeek report: We welcome three additions to our weekly coverage of Florida-connected artists: Monty Alexander, holding the #1 position on the Jazz Chart and registering +33 in Increased Airplay; Charles Tolliver All Stars, appearing at #19 on the Jazz Chart; and Ben Sparrow, appearing in the Most Added section with +8. All three have documented Florida connections and are appearing in this Jazz Blues Florida weekly report for the first time.

The Jazz Blues Florida review identifies documented Florida connections among artists appearing in the Jazz Chart, Increased Airplay, Most Added, and Chartbound sections. Qualifying connections include birth, upbringing, Florida music education, long-term residency, university faculty appointments, Florida-based ensembles, or substantial long-term professional ties to the state.

JazzWeek Charts: November 2, 2026 – Full Charts

JAZZ CHART

Monty Alexander (#1; Increased Airplay +33) – Moved to Miami in 1961 and began his U.S. jazz career performing in Miami nightclubs before relocating to New York in 1962.

Bobby Watson (#4; Increased Airplay +18) – Graduated from the University of Miami in 1975 with a music degree. His recording Continuum also appears in this week's Increased Airplay section.

Antonio Adolfo (#7) – Longtime South Florida resident, pianist, composer and music educator. Operated a music school in Hollywood, Florida.

Carmen Lundy (#8) – Born in Miami; graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Music in Studio Music and Jazz.

Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y (#10) – Ulysses Owens Jr. was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida.

Emmet Cohen (#12) – Born in Miami; attended University of Miami Frost School of Music.

Charles Tolliver All Stars (#19) – Trumpeter Charles Tolliver was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1942.

Cécile McLorin Salvant (#25) – Born and raised in Miami, Florida.

Arturo Sandoval (#44) – Longtime South Florida resident, based in the Miami area, and former faculty member at Florida International University.

Kelly Green Quartet (#50) – Kelly Green was born and raised in Orlando and earned her bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

INCREASED AIRPLAY

Ruben Caban (+18) – South Florida trombonist and music educator. Currently on the faculty at Broward College; Trombone Professor at Miami Dade College North Campus and Barry University; and Director of the South Florida Trombone Workshop.

MOST ADDED

Ben Sparrow (+8) – South Florida-based saxophonist; adjunct professor of saxophone at Palm Beach State College since 2022 and member of Miami-based Gafieira Rio Miami.

About the JazzWeek National Airplay Charts: JazzWeek's weekly charts measure reported radio airplay of current jazz releases. Participating jazz radio stations and programs submit the number of times they played each eligible release during the reporting week, and JazzWeek combines those reported spins to determine the national rankings. The charts measure radio airplay—not sales, streaming numbers, downloads, or listener voting.

#JazzBluesFlorida #JazzWeek

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Friday, October 30, 2026

Miami’s Mojo Ike and Val Woods Celebrate W. C. Handy with Blues and Spoken Word – November 14, 2026

A Musical and Spoken Word 
Tribute to the Father of the Blues 


Saturday, November, 14, 2026 ~ 7PM
The Joseph Caleb Auditorium’s Caleb Around Town, in recognition of America 250, the “Black Birth of Music Series” presents 
Ike and Val Woods
in a music and spoken word concert Celebrating the Father of the Blues – W. C. Handy.
at the
Sandrell Rivers
Black Box Theater
6103 NW 7th Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
Facebook Event - Invite your friends!

The Joseph Caleb Auditorium's Caleb Around Town presents Celebrating the Father of the Blues – W. C. Handy on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 7 PM at the Sandrell Rivers Theater in Miami. Part of the Black Birth of Music Series, the program recognizes the contributions of W. C. Handy and the early development of the blues through live performances by South Florida musicians Mojo Ike and Val Woods, joined by spoken-word artist Rebecca “Phoenix” Vaughns.

Born November 16, 1873, in Florence, Alabama, William Christopher Handy became known as the “Father of the Blues” for his work documenting, composing, arranging, and publishing blues music. His landmark composition The Memphis Blues, published in 1912, helped introduce the genre to a national audience. His subsequent works, including St. Louis Blues (1914) and Beale Street Blues (1916), contributed significantly to the blues becoming a foundation of American popular music. The program also recognizes early blues history, including Antonio Maggio's 1908 publication of I Got the Blues, one of the earliest published compositions incorporating the 12-bar blues form.

Mojo Ike Woods, born Isaac Woods in Miami, began playing guitar at age six under the guidance of his father. At 17, he auditioned for jazz musicians Nat Adderley and Curtis Fuller, who offered him an opportunity to perform professionally in New York. Choosing to complete his education in Florida, Woods went on to develop a career as a guitarist, vocalist, bandleader, and studio musician. His performance credits include work with Florida blues artists Joey Gilmore and Joe Orr, along with Betty Wright, Jimmy Bo Horne, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and jazz musicians associated with the Milton Mustafa Jazz Orchestra. His recording and studio experience includes work with producers and musicians across blues, jazz, R&B, and popular music.

Val Woods, also known professionally as Lady Val, is a South Florida blues vocalist, songwriter, author, and visual artist. She has performed extensively alongside Mojo Ike, appearing as a duo, featured vocalist, and member of his larger band. Her vocal style draws from blues, soul, and gospel traditions. Together, the Woods have developed a repertoire combining original compositions with established blues standards. Their recording Phoenix, featured in Living Blues magazine, showcases the duo's range through blues, gospel-influenced material, and contemporary arrangements. Val is also a published children's book author.

Special guest Rebecca “Phoenix” Vaughns is a Miami-born poet, spoken-word performer, author, and theatrical producer whose career spans more than two decades. Known for her improvisational poetry and rhythmic delivery, Vaughns has released 14 spoken-word albums, published three books of poetry, and produced nine stage presentations. Her performances combine storytelling, cultural expression, and spontaneous composition. She has presented her work throughout South Florida and beyond, including appearances associated with prominent entertainers and cultural figures. Her contribution to this program adds a literary and spoken-word dimension to the musical celebration.

The evening commemorates Handy's November 16 birthday while exploring the lasting influence of the blues on jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, rock, and other American musical traditions. Through classic songs, contemporary interpretations, and spoken-word performance, the program connects the early history of the blues with the artists continuing that tradition today.

Golden Tickets and Culture Shock Tickets are available for this performance.

Presented by the Joseph Caleb Auditorium's Caleb Around Town as part of the Black Birth of Music Series, with support from the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and Florida Arts & Culture.




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Thursday, October 29, 2026

Fort Lauderdale Native Matt Parker Returns with The Candy Shop Boys’ Sugarfoot Stomp, Released Today on BYNK Records

A Century of American Jazz, Blues and Double Meanings — Rediscovered in 21 Songs

AAs of October 30, 2026, Sugarfoot Stomp by The Candy Shop Boys is now available on BYNK Records. The release features the New York band heard and seen in the film John Wick, with Fort Lauderdale native Matt Parker on tenor saxophone.

The record gathers twenty-one songs from a century of coded American music, from King Oliver and Cab Calloway to Irving Berlin: songs that slipped stories of sex, drugs and trouble past the censors of their day. The band played them for years in New York's burlesque rooms, recorded them in 2013, and the sessions sat on a hard drive until now. Dr. Reggie Quinerly wrote the liner notes.

Parker grew up in South Florida, where his mentor Jimmy Cavallo first invited him on stage at age 14 at P.J. Doogie’s. After more than twenty years as a working saxophonist in New York, he's planning regular trips back to South Florida to perform. Follow Matt Parker for updates on new music and upcoming South Florida performances.

Pre-save Sugarfoot Stomp: https://orcd.co/0xdn3xr
Follow Matt Parker on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xlbJqC9QPF7qJmcu1EcNg
Follow Matt Parker on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/matt-parker/482852783
The band's story: thecandyshopboys.com
Booking and press: hello@bynkrecords.com
Connect with Matt Parker on Facebook and Instagram
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Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Florida Bandmasters Association Recognizes Three Jazz Educators with 2026 Five-Year Superior Awards

 EDU PSA

Two middle schools and one high school recognized for sustained excellence in jazz education and performance.

The Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) has named three Florida music educators and their school jazz programs as recipients of its 2026 Jazz Band Five-Year Superior Awards, recognizing five consecutive years of Superior ratings in the association's Music Performance Assessments (MPAs).

2026 Award Recipients

Middle School Jazz Band Five-Year Superior Award

  • Francisco R. Williams — South Miami Middle Community School (2020–2025)

  • Marianne Flanagan — Odyssey Middle School (2020–2025)

High School Jazz Band Five-Year Superior Award

  • Matthew W. Flenner — Eustis High School (2019–2025)

Recognizing Consistent Achievement

The FBA Five-Year Superior Jazz Band Awards recognize band directors whose school jazz ensembles have earned Superior ratings for five consecutive qualifying years.

Middle school jazz ensembles must achieve Superior ratings at the District Jazz Music Performance Assessment, while high school ensembles must earn Superior ratings at the State Jazz Music Performance Assessment.

Unlike awards based on a single performance or competition, this recognition reflects sustained achievement across multiple school years, involving successive groups of student musicians and their educators.

These accomplishments recognize the commitment of Florida's jazz educators to developing instrumental performance, ensemble musicianship, and musical skills among young musicians.

The Florida Bandmasters Association supports music education through performance assessments, professional development, student opportunities, and recognition programs throughout Florida.

SOURCE & COMPLETE AWARD HISTORY:

Florida Bandmasters Association — Jazz Band Five-Year Superior Awards

https://fba.flmusiced.org/awards/jazz-band-five-year-superior-awards/

ABOUT JAZZ BLUES FLORIDA EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PSAs

Jazz Blues Florida recognizes educational achievements, student and faculty accomplishments, scholarships, grants, community outreach, and other developments that support jazz and blues education throughout Florida.

Florida schools, colleges, universities, jazz and blues societies, scholarship foundations, and community music organizations are invited to submit educational news for publication consideration at no cost or obligation.

https://www.jazzbluesflorida.com/


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Florida Jazz Artists Represented on JazzWeek Charts for October 26, 2026, Including 5 of Top Ten!

Jazz Blues Florida congratulates these Florida-connected artists represented on the JazzWeek National Airplay Charts of October 26, 2026, published at https://www.jazzweek.com/charts/. The charts reflect reported jazz radio airplay from the preceding reporting period. 

The Jazz Blues Florida review identifies documented Florida connections among artists appearing in the Jazz Chart, Increased Airplay, Most Added, and Chartbound sections. Qualifying connections include birth, upbringing, Florida music education, long-term residency, university faculty appointments, Florida-based ensembles, or substantial long-term professional ties to the state.

JazzWeek Charts: October 26, 2026 – Full Charts

JAZZ CHART

Antonio Adolfo (#4) – Long-term South Florida professional and educational connection; operated a music school in Hollywood, Florida.

Bobby Watson (#5; Increased Airplay +41) – Graduated from the University of Miami music program. His recording Continuum also appears in this week's Increased Airplay section.

Emmet Cohen (#7) – Born in Miami; graduated from the University of Miami Frost School of Music.

Carmen Lundy (#8) – Born in Miami; earned her Bachelor of Music in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Miami.

Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y (#9) – Ulysses Owens Jr. was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida.

Cécile McLorin Salvant (#21) – Born and raised in Miami, Florida.

Jeff Rupert Quartet (#40) – Jeff Rupert is Pegasus Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Arturo Sandoval (#45) – Long-term South Florida resident and former faculty member at Florida International University.

INCREASED AIRPLAY

The Flying Horse Big Band (+25) – University of Central Florida jazz ensemble based in Orlando and directed by Jeff Rupert.

MOST ADDED

Ruben Caban (+12) – Currently serves on the faculty at Broward College, as Trombone Professor at Miami Dade College’s North Campus and Barry University, and as Director of the South Florida Trombone Workshop.

Clay Giberson (+11) – Pianist and composer who studied jazz piano at the University of Miami, establishing a documented Florida music education connection.

Clarence Hines Jazz Orchestra (+10) – Clarence Hines is Director of the School of Music and Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

Aymée Nuviola featuring Kemuel Roig (+8) – Nuviola has a long-term Miami residency and professional connection. Pianist Kemuel Roig earned a master's degree from the University of Miami Frost School of Music.

CHARTBOUND

Kelly Green Quartet – Kelly Green was born and raised in Orlando and earned her bachelor's degree from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

About the JazzWeek National Airplay Charts: JazzWeek's weekly charts measure reported radio airplay of current jazz releases. Participating jazz radio stations and programs submit the number of times they played each eligible release during the reporting week, and JazzWeek combines those reported spins to determine the national rankings. The charts measure radio airplay—not sales, streaming numbers, downloads, or listener voting.

#JazzBluesFlorida #JazzWeek

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Monday, October 26, 2026

Christian McBride Brings Ursa Major Quintet to Glazer Hall in Palm Beach October 30, 2026

Eleven-Time GRAMMY Winner Leads a New Generation of Jazz Talent in Palm Beach
Friday, October 30, 2026 | 7:30p
Christian McBride & Ursa Major
at
Glazer Hall
70 Royal Poinciana Way, Suite P70
Palm Beach, FL 33480
(561) 576-7860
Member Early Access: 6:30p | Doors: 7p
90 minutes, no intermission

Eleven-time GRAMMY Award-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader Christian McBride performs with his quintet, Ursa Major, at Glazer Hall in Palm Beach on Friday, October 30, 2026.

McBride's work extends beyond performing and recording. He serves as Artistic Advisor for Jazz Programming at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Artistic Director of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, and Co-Artistic Director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. His musical collaborations span jazz, R&B, classical, hip-hop, and pop. He is also active as an educator, youth advocate, and broadcaster.

In Ursa Major, McBride is joined by saxophonist Nicole Glover, guitarist Ely Perlman, pianist Mike King, and drummer Savannah Harris. Their individual backgrounds and musical approaches contribute to the quintet's contemporary jazz repertoire and improvisation.

Nicole Glover has performed with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Mike King's piano playing draws on technical precision and soulful expression. Savannah Harris brings experience in jazz and experimental music, while guitarist and composer Ely Perlman incorporates a range of contemporary influences into his playing.

The five musicians bring their individual perspectives together in a 90-minute performance highlighting ensemble interaction and improvisation.

Personnel:
Christian McBride – Bass
Nicole Glover – Saxophone
Ely Perlman – Guitar
Mike King – Piano
Savannah Harris – Drums

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charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com
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