Sunday-Afternoon Concerts in Ybor City
The Tampa Jazz Club presents Butch Thomas with Elias Tona: Jaco 75 on Sunday, November 8, 2026, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the birth of Jaco Pastorius (1951–1987), the influential bassist, composer, and bandleader whose contributions helped reshape the sound and possibilities of electric bass in jazz and contemporary music.
A Florida-raised musician who became an internationally recognized figure in jazz fusion, Pastorius developed a distinctive approach to the fretless electric bass, combining melodic improvisation, rhythmic complexity, harmonics, and an expressive tone that expanded the instrument's role beyond traditional accompaniment. His work with Weather Report, collaborations with Joni Mitchell, and recordings as a solo artist and bandleader, including his landmark Word of Mouth project, established a musical legacy that continues to influence bassists and jazz musicians across generations.
Leading this tribute is saxophonist Butch Thomas, a longtime friend, musical collaborator, and protégé of Pastorius. Thomas performed and toured with Jaco for nearly five years and contributed to several recordings during their association. His firsthand experiences provide a personal perspective on the bassist's creativity, musical approach, and personality. The afternoon's program will explore selections from Jaco's songbook, accompanied by Thomas's reminiscences of their time performing and working together.
Thomas's career subsequently included performances and collaborations with major recording and touring artists, including Sting, Lenny Kravitz, and Aretha Franklin. His experience across jazz, rock, funk, and popular music reflects the broad musical environment in which Pastorius also worked.
For Jaco 75, Thomas will be joined by bassist Elias Tona and a group of established Tampa Bay-area musicians:
Elias Tona – Bass
Gumbi Ortiz – Percussion
Luis Alicea – Drums
Edepson Gonzalez – Keyboards
James Suggs – Trumpet
Tona, Ortiz, and Alicea are also members of guitarist Al Di Meola's touring band, bringing additional experience in jazz fusion and rhythmically intricate ensemble performance to the tribute.
Presented as part of the Tampa Jazz Club's HC Sunday Jazz Series, Jaco 75 combines live interpretations of Pastorius's music with the recollections of a musician who worked alongside him. The concert offers audiences an opportunity to revisit the compositions and musical innovations of one of jazz fusion's defining figures through the perspective of a longtime collaborator.
Jeff Rupert, Nate Najar and Daniela Soledade: Getz–Jobim Centennial Celebration
Whitney James: Love Notes
Hot Tonic
Allison Nash
LaRue Nickelson Plays Pat Metheny
Cabaret-Style Evening Performances in New Tampa
Bryan J Hughes & The Crew: Christmas CD Release Concert
Diego Figueiredo with La Lucha
Paul Gavin Sextet Plays Blakey & Cannonball
Tickets for both concert series are available through the Tampa Jazz Club. Tampa Jazz Club members receive an automatic ticket discount.
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The Tampa Jazz Club was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1995 with the objective of generating interest in preserving, understanding and performing jazz. Proceeds from its programs support the Tampa Jazz Club scholarship fund and community activities.
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