Space Coast Jazz Society Presents Michelle Mailhot & Friends December 14, 2025 at Brevard Veterans Memorial Center

For the Love of Jazz...

Sunday, December 14, 2025

Michelle Mailhot & Friends

All concerts held at 2:00 PM at:

Brevard Veterans

Memorial Center

Grey Hall

400 S Sykes Creek Parkway

Merritt Island, FL 32952

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General Admission Tickets Sold At Door.

Bring your own food and drink. Tables, chairs, live jazz, and a beautiful river view are provided for all shows!

For over 25 years, Michelle Mailhot has been one of the most sought-after jazz vocalists, sharing stages with Mel Tormé, Max Roach, Sheila Jordan, Billy Stritch, Liza Minnelli, Dr. Billy Taylor, and others. She earned a Drama Desk Award for her Off-Broadway work in Toxic Audio: Loudmouth and remains a familiar presence across Central Florida’s top jazz stages, performing with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dr. Phillips Jazz Orchestra, and the Blue Bamboo Big Band.

A respected session singer, her voice appears in numerous commercial projects and on the Shy Baldwin tracks in seasons 3 and 4 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Her solo album Happy Madness is available on major streaming platforms.

Alongside her performing career, Michelle is an accomplished educator with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music. She has taught at Valencia College and Rollins College, covering theory, sight-singing, ear training, private voice, and jazz choir direction. She is also a top instructor on Jazzvoice.com, where her scat-singing class draws students from around the world.

Her work as a clinician and adjudicator has taken her nationwide and abroad, including Singapore and Japan, with roles at All-State choir events, Showstoppers, America Sings, Orlando Fest, Disney Sings, and workshops led by her mentors at the Phil Mattson and Steve Zegree vocal jazz programs.

Personnel:
MICHELLE MAILHOT – vocals
ED KROUT – piano
DANIEL BONNETT – saxophone
CHUCK ARCHARD – bass
JEREMY KATALENIC – drums

UPCOMING SPRING 2026 CONCERTS!

LARRY BROWN QUINTET

Sunday, January 11, 2026 | 2-4p
The Larry Brown Quintet brings straight-ahead jazz to the Space Coast with a lineup of standout players including pianist Larry Brown, tenor saxophonist Dan Jordan, trumpeter Scott Dickinson, bassist Doug Mathews, and drummer Claudio Berardi. Brown’s group has appeared on many of the Mid-Atlantic’s most respected stages and is known for its hard-bop style, refined musicianship, and wide acclaim. This concert offers a chance to hear a seasoned ensemble delivering the classic Blue Note sound with polish and energy.

MICKEY FREEMAN QUARTET

Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 2-4p
The Mickey Freeman Quartet features vocalist Mickey Freeman, whose career spans from early success in Boston’s swing and vocal-based groups to international festival stages and collaborations with jazz greats. Now based in Vero Beach, Freeman brings a warm, expressive style shaped by years of performance across New England, Europe, Africa, and Asia, as well as recent work in Florida venues and the Arts in Medicine program. Her quartet offers an inviting mix of jazz standards and vocal flair, creating an engaging afternoon of melody and storytelling.

RON PIRTLE & FRIENDS

Sunday, March 8, 2026 | 2-4p
Ron Pirtle & Friends celebrates the talent of one of Brevard County’s most in-demand bassists. Pirtle’s musical journey began in Ohio and evolved from rock and roll to blues and jazz before he made his home on the Space Coast, where he quickly became a cornerstone of the local jazz scene. Known for his steady groove and deep musical sensitivity, he performs regularly across Central Florida and leads his own group. This concert brings together Ron and his musical colleagues for a warm, personal, and spirited performance rooted in years of dedication to the craft.

2026 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS SHOWCASE

Sunday, April 12, 2026 | 2-4p
The Space Coast Jazz Society’s 2026 Scholarship Winners Showcase highlights outstanding young musicians who represent the future of jazz. Each year, the Society supports emerging talent through scholarship awards, helping students continue their musical studies and artistic development. This special concert features the new recipients—two gifted performers receiving $1,000 scholarships—who will share their skills and passion on stage. It is an afternoon that brings the community together to applaud the next generation.

EASTERN FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE JAZZ BAND

Sunday, MAY 17, 2026 | 2-4p
The Eastern Florida State College Jazz Band returns with a lively program showcasing the strong musicianship of the college’s jazz students. Under the guidance of seasoned educators, the ensemble performs a mix of classic and contemporary jazz styles, giving audiences a chance to hear developing artists as they sharpen their craft. This concert offers a spirited display of talent and teamwork, reflecting the college’s commitment to jazz education.

ABOUT THE SOCIETY

Since its founding in 1986 by jazz broadcaster Jack Simpson (known for Jazz on the Beach) and vocalist Alan Simms, the Space Coast Jazz Society (SCJS) has been a cornerstone of the jazz scene on Florida’s Space Coast. Driven by passionate members and a dedicated Board of Directors, SCJS continues to celebrate and preserve the rich legacy of jazz in the community. This season’s concert series highlights top-tier regional talent and underscores the power of community support—an inviting venue, accessible timing, and fair costs.

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