Jazz and blues news with a Florida focus from JazzBluesFlorida.com — Florida’s FREE guide to live jazz & blues, with concert and festival listings, news blog coverage, and optional email delivery personalized by region and genre (sign up on webpage).
Billy Price first attracted national attention during his three-year association with guitarist Roy Buchanan. Price is the vocalist on two of Buchanan's LPs, That's What I'm Here For and Live Stock. Since then, with the Keystone Rhythm Band, the Billy Price Band, and solo projects, Billy Price has recorded and released a total of 20 albums, CDs, and DVDs.
Price’s album This Time for Real, with the late Chicago soul singer Otis Clay, received a 2016 Blues Music Award in the category of best soul blues album. He was nominated 11 times for Blues Music Awards between 2019 and 2025 and won the 2024 Bluebird Reviews Lifetime Career Award in the U.K.
His most recent release, Person of Interest on the Little Village label, was nominated for 2025 BMAs for Soul Blues Album and Album of the Year. His new album Random Madness, featuring the Billy Price Band, will be released on the GetHip label on May 1, 2026.
The Costa Rica Blues Festival returns for its highly anticipated 10th Anniversary Edition on
Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the scenic Club Campestre Griego in Grecia, Alajuela Province, located just 20k away from San Jose International Airport.
After six years away, this international celebration of blues music promises an unforgettable day of rhythm, soul, and good vibes.
Most performers are traveling directly from the United States, bringing a world-class lineup to one of Central America’s most picturesque outdoor settings — complete with green lawns, tropical shade, delicious food trucks, craft beers, and even a swimming pool for festival-goers to cool off between sets.
🎶 2026 Performance Line-Up
Craig Thatcher Band – Pennsylvania-based powerhouse led by guitarist Craig Thatcher, known for dynamic blues-rock shows and collaborations with legendary artists like Roger Hodgson of Supertramp.
Mikey Junior – East Coast blues vocalist and harmonica player delivering raw, soulful energy steeped in Chicago and jump blues traditions.
Terrie Odabi – Acclaimed Bay Area blues and soul singer whose commanding voice and socially conscious lyrics have earned national recognition.
JC Smith – Award-winning guitarist and showman from California, blending West Coast swing, Texas blues, and R&B.
Sparky Parker – Texas guitarist and singer whose modern blues-rock style combines fiery guitar work with deep respect for tradition.
Tommy Z – New York-based blues-rock guitarist, producer, and educator with multiple charting albums and a high-energy live sound.
Smokin' Mo & Blues Devils – Costa Rica-based blues ensemble led by festival producer Smokin’ Mo, delivering authentic, groove-driven blues.
Mark Margolies – Florida blues guitarist and songwriter with decades on the Southeastern circuit, blending classic and contemporary influences.
Gray Gregson – Longtime Costa Rica blues favorite, known for his expressive slide guitar and soulful vocals rooted in Delta and Texas blues.
🌴 About the Venue
Club Campestre Griego is located just 20 km from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), making it very convenient for arrival and transfer. The setting features ample green lawns, refreshing tropical shade, and comfortable amenities—designed for a full day of music and relaxation in the heart of Alajuela Province, Costa Rica.
In addition to the main event, organizers are planning a full week of blues celebrations across Costa Rica leading up to the festival. Stay tuned for the complete calendar of events at costaricablues.com.
Let’s make history together at the 10th Costa Rica Blues Festival — after six years, the blues are back, bigger, better, and louder than ever!
For availability of campsites, call (941) 758-7585.
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026
4pm: Campers Jam
5:35pm: Reggie King Sears
7:10pm: Chris Beard
8:45pm: Calvin Duncan Jr
Jam to Follow
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026
12pm: Guitar Workshop
1:20pm: Dirk Quinn
2:50pm: Sunny Bleau & The Moons
4:20pm: The Blues Express
DINNER BREAK
6:40pm: Roger Hurricane Wilson
8:10pm: Jureesa McBride
9:40pm: Tas Cru
Jam to Follow
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2026
10:30am: Songwriting Workshop
11:50am: Charlie Morris
1:20pm: RB Stone
2:45pm: Dwight Carrier Black Cat Zydeco
Jam to Follow
Blues Bash at the Ranch, held annually each spring, came about after the success of Camping with the Blues, held each October at Florida Sand Music Ranch. Greg Herndon and Paul Benjamin felt another blues festival would be the perfect addition to the ranch and could be held every spring.
Set in the rolling hills of Florida, both Blues Bash at the Ranch and Camping with the Blues are annual blues music events that benefit the beautiful and rustic Florida Sand Music Ranch, located at 85 Myers Road, Brooksville, FL 34602, just off I-75 at Exit 293.
For those who do not camp but still want to enjoy the weekend outdoors, the sponsor hotel, Days Inn, is available nearby at Exit 301 off I-75.
Can’t stay for the whole weekend? Single-day tickets are available for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Bring your friends and family and make a day of it. Food, beverages, and artisan vendors will be on site all weekend.
RV sites and tent camping are available for all ages.
An open-air covered seating area and stage provide the perfect setting for a fun-filled weekend, with a great dance floor that keeps everyone up close to the bands. The festival is family- and dog-friendly.
The festival is also excited to present a children’s program on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Please bring children to the Youth Pavilion and sign them in by 10:00 AM.
Marion Meadows and Steve Oliver, two of today’s most recognized smooth jazz hitmakers,
will co-headline the City of Casselberry’s Spring Jazz & Art Festival on
March 7, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Lake Concord Park in Casselberry, Florida.
Saxophonist Marion Meadows, who began studying classical clarinet at the age of nine,
has built a career spanning more than four decades. With more than ten albums to his credit,
Meadows continues to be a consistent presence in contemporary jazz. Recent performances have featured music
from Soul Traveler, the first installment in his ongoing soul trilogy.
Joining Meadows on stage is acclaimed guitarist and producer
Steve Oliver, whose latest release, A New Light, has been climbing the jazz charts.
Oliver has produced fourteen studio albums and earned multiple No. 1 Billboard hits, along with more than a dozen
Top 10 favorites.
In addition to the live music, festivalgoers can enjoy art exhibits at local facilities, along with food trucks
and a variety of product vendors, creating a full community festival atmosphere beyond the stage.
For more information, contact the City of Casselberry events team at
events@casselberry.org
or call (407) 262-7700, ext. 1507.
FREE!
Bring blankets and chairs, and enjoy a lakefront evening of outstanding live jazz in Casselberry, Florida.
Disabled parking and drop-off are available next to Casselberry Art House (127 Quail Pond Circle)
and in front of the Casselberry Police Department (4195 S US Hwy 17-92). General parking is available
in surrounding lots.
Note: All events and activities are subject to change and/or cancellation.
The Smoogies bring an intimate listening-room experience to Crazy Uncle Mike’s in Boca Raton on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with two jazz-fusion performances. Seating is limited.
The Smoogies are a Miami-based quartet of multi-instrumentalist composers whose sound blends cultures, life experiences, and modern groove-based jazz.
The group features Vaughn “V.KEYS” Henry (keys, vocals), Dion Kerr (bass), Harvel Nakundi (drums, percussion), and David Chiverton (drums).
Collectively and individually, the band’s members have performed internationally and contributed to projects associated with Lauryn Hill, Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note, Richard Bona, Marcus Strickland, Kirk Franklin, Ignacio Berroa, Godwin Louis, Etienne Charles, and others.
The Smoogies describe their approach as “People Music”—a community-centered concept reflected in their second album. The band has also announced plans for a third release: a live recording captured in Miami.
Their early momentum included a feature on “The Chivertone Sessions”, which brought wider attention and preceded their debut release, “Planet Smoogies.”
Sound Merchandise Entertainment
is a Florida-based concert promoter presenting professionally produced jazz, blues, and contemporary music performances, with a focus on audience experience and production quality.
Crazy Uncle Mike’s
is a live music venue and restaurant in Boca Raton, Florida, presenting ticketed, professionally produced concerts in an intimate club setting with food and beverage service.
With a career spanning rock, blues, and soul, Beth Hart is known for emotionally direct songwriting and powerful live vocals. She first gained major attention with her 1999 single LA Song (Out of This Town) from her second album Screamin’ for My Supper, which became a hit on U.S. Adult Contemporary radio. Her catalog includes studio releases such as Leave the Light On, Better Than Home, Fire on the Floor, and War in My Mind. Hart has also recorded collaborative albums with guitarist Joe Bonamassa, including Don’t Explain (2011) and the Grammy-nominated Seesaw (2013).
Ruth Eckerd Hall, located in Clearwater, FL, was founded in 1977 when a 38-acre parcel of land was donated to the City of Clearwater by June Baumgardner Gelbart in honor of Richard B. Baumgardner, Sr., with the condition that the land be used for a performing arts center. Local philanthropist Jack Eckerd donated to the cause and purchased naming rights for the venue for his wife, Ruth. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in 1979 and the Hall was completed in October 1983, opening on October 16, 1983. Designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Ruth Eckerd Hall is a 73,000-square-foot facility that includes a 2,180-seat auditorium, the Margarete Heye Great Room, and the Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts, along with multiple rehearsal and teaching spaces and the 250-seat Murray Theatre.
Northwood Art & Music Warehouse is a collaborative music venue and art studio designed to support community and creativity. The space offers a relaxed setting where guests can enjoy local beer and connect with friends and neighbors while experiencing live music and the arts.
Northwood Art & Music Warehouse is currently open based on their event schedule. Visitors can check the calendar for upcoming hours of operation and sign up for the
NEWSLETTER
to receive the schedule directly in their inbox.
This year’s Wiregrass Blues Festival will feature five blues and roots acts representing a range of modern styles.
Headlining the lineup is Crystal Shawanda, a Juno Award-winning artist and Blues Album of the Year recipient,
known for her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence.
Also appearing is Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers, whose album Rough Time Rough Time reached #1 on blues
album charts in both the United States and Spain. The group has earned multiple #1 singles internationally and
has built a growing audience through touring and streaming.
Jimmy Wooten will bring his touring blues and roots experience to the festival as a solo artist, featuring music
from his debut album Collision Course. Festival audiences will also enjoy the Bridget Kelly Band,
three-time International Blues Challenge semi-finalists and Alabama Blues Hall of Fame inductees, recognized for
their energetic performances and deep Alabama blues roots.
Rounding out the music lineup is The Steve Wiggins Band, performing original music backed by four released CDs
and a reputation for versatility and strong songwriting.
Beyond the music, the Wiregrass Blues Festival offers activities for all ages, including an on-site Gumbo Cookoff
hosted by Jana Holland of Blue Moon Café. Arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, a charity bike run, a car show,
kids activities, and more make this a true downtown festival experience.
Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a full day of live blues, great food, and community fun in the Wiregrass region.
The Plant is a popular live music and event venue located in the heart of Downtown Dothan, Alabama.
Known for its welcoming atmosphere and community-centered programming, The Plant hosts concerts,
performances, and special gatherings throughout the year.
The Wiregrass region encompasses parts of southern Georgia, southeastern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle.
The region is named for the native wiregrass plant (Aristida stricta).
Catch blues-rock powerhouses Samantha Fish and Tab Benoit as their tours collide for one unforgettable night at the Dothan Opera House in Dothan, AL on April 17, 2026. Known for her explosive guitar work and soulful vocals, Fish brings fiery energy to the stage, while Benoit delivers his signature Louisiana blues with grit and heart. Together, these two dynamic performers promise a night of raw talent, high-octane performances, and electrifying chemistry that blues fans won’t want to miss.
About Tab Benoit Tab Benoit is a Louisiana-born blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose swamp-blues sound embodies the heart and soul of the bayou. Raised in Houma, Louisiana, he grew up surrounded by Cajun, country, and blues influences that shaped his distinctive musical voice. Benoit began performing in Baton Rouge at the famed Blues Box Club, developing a raw, emotional playing style that became his signature. Since releasing his debut album Nice and Warm in 1992, he has earned multiple Blues Music Awards, Grammy nominations, and international acclaim for his passionate live performances and authentic Southern storytelling through music.
Benoit’s artistry extends beyond the stage — he is a dedicated environmental advocate who founded the nonprofit organization Voice of the Wetlands to raise awareness about the erosion of Louisiana’s coastal ecosystems. His efforts have been recognized nationally, including his role in the IMAX film Hurricane on the Bayou. With his fiery guitar tone, soulful vocals, and unwavering devotion to his home state, Tab Benoit continues to stand among the most respected figures in American roots and blues music.
About Samantha Fish Samantha Fish is a powerhouse guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter from Kansas City, Missouri, known for her fearless blend of blues, rock, Americana, and soul. She began her musical journey on drums before switching to guitar as a teenager, immersing herself in local blues jams and quickly establishing a name for her explosive playing and dynamic stage presence. Her debut album Runaway earned her the 2012 Blues Music Award for Best New Artist, launching a global touring career that has seen her headline festivals and share stages with artists such as Buddy Guy, Devon Allman, and Tab Benoit.
Across albums including Wild Heart, Chills & Fever, Kill or Be Kind, Faster, and the acclaimed collaboration Death Wish Blues, Fish has continually evolved her sound while staying rooted in the emotional power of the blues. Her commanding performances combine expressive vocals, fiery guitar work, and a modern edge that have made her one of the most dynamic and influential artists of her generation.
About the Dothan Opera House
Built in 1915 and designed by the Atlanta architectural firm Morris & Morris, the Dothan Opera House was originally conceived to serve as both municipal offices and a performance auditorium. Over the years it has hosted plays, musicals, vaudeville shows, concerts, community ceremonies, and more. The Opera House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and underwent a major renovation completed in 2025, preserving its historic charm while adding modern performance enhancements. Located at 115 N. St. Andrews Street in downtown Dothan, it continues to serve as a cultural hub for regional arts and entertainment. Visitor information and performance schedules are available through Visit Dothan.
About Six String Southern Productions Six String Southern Productions is an independent concert promoter and live event producer based in the Southeast. The company specializes in booking and presenting touring artists across multiple genres, as well as organizing events for private, corporate, and festival settings. As promoter, Six String Southern connects the Dothan Opera House with national and regional talent, helping bring exceptional live performances to audiences across the Wiregrass region.
GRAMMY® award-nominated blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa returns to The BayCare Sound in Downtown Clearwater, Florida. Special guest Christone “Kingfish” Ingram opens the show.
Saturday, March 21, 2026 | Doors 4:30 PM | Show 6:00 PM
Joe Bonamassa is a multi-time GRAMMY® nominee and a leading figure in modern blues-rock.
He is known for high-energy live performances and a guitar-forward sound that blends blues tradition with rock dynamics.
Bonamassa has earned multiple #1 releases on the Billboard Blues Albums chart.
Bonamassa began performing professionally at a young age and has since headlined theaters, arenas, and festivals worldwide.
Backed by an ensemble of seasoned musicians, his setlists typically combine recent releases with well-known fan favorites.
Mississippi-born Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is a GRAMMY® Award-winning guitarist and vocalist
recognized for contemporary, roots-based electric blues. Raised in Clarksdale in the Mississippi Delta, he draws from regional blues traditions while incorporating rock, soul, funk, and R&B influences.
Rolling Stone has described him as “a rare 21st century guitar hero and the undisputed future of the blues.”
His performances spotlight expressive guitar work along with increasingly prominent original songwriting and vocals.
The BayCare Sound is an open-air venue located at Coachman Park on the Clearwater waterfront. The site hosts touring concerts and community events and is part of the city’s Coachman Park district.
