Friday, October 9, 2026

Camping with the Blues Weekend-Long Festival October 16-18, 2026 at Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville


THREE DAYS OF BLUES IN A GORGEOUS SETTING
CAMPING IS OPTIONAL – COME FOR THE DAY…
STAY FOR THE WEEKEND

Join Us As We Celebrate
The 13th Annual
Camping with the Blues
October 16–18, 2026

New for this Year – The Blues Appetizer: FREE Music on Thursday, October 15, 2026 with The Blues Generators to get you primed and ready for the weekend. If you want to stay over for the festival, camping fees do apply for Thursday night and must be prepaid.
Florida Sand Music Ranch
85 Myers Road
Brooksville, FL 34602
MAP     WEBSITE
LINE-UP!

FRIDAY, 10/16/2026:
4:30P: CAMPERS JAM
5:50P: CHAD MARSHALL BAND
7:20P: THE CADILLAC CATS
8:55P: DOTTIE KELLY & ROCK THE HOUSE

SATURDAY, 10/17/2026:
11:45A: CAMPERS JAM
1:05P: SANDY ATKINSON
2:35P: JOHNNY BAUER BAND
4:05P: MAX HIGHTOWER BAND
5:15P: DINNER BREAK
6:30P: CAT RHODES & THE TRUTH BAND
8:00P: KURT ALLEN BAND
9:30P: TOMMY Z

SUNDAY, 10/18/2026:
10:30A: CAMPERS JAM
11:50A: BRODY BUSTER ONE MAN BAND
1:20P: BEX MARSHALL BAND
2:45P: JOHNNY RAWLS

What are you looking for in a great blues festival?

Great music and accessible musicians?
Covered stage and seating area?
Permanent bathrooms and shower stalls?
Picnic tables and fire rings for late-night jamming?
Family- and dog-friendly setting?
A wide assortment of vendors?
Reasonable beverage prices?
A consumer-friendly carry-in policy?
A true sense of community?

You’ll find them all at Camping with the Blues!

Water and electric sites are SOLD OUT.

Primitive camping available.

Prefer hotels? Options are available nearby.

An open-air covered stage and seating area provides a comfortable setting for a full weekend of live music. The event takes place rain or shine.

For more information, contact Roseanne at (941) 758-7585 or info@campingblues.com
Please do not call the ranch directly.

Interested in sponsoring or becoming a vendor?
Call: (941) 758-7585



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Gainesville Big Band Fall Jazztober Concert This Weekend Opens 2026 - 2027 Season Series

Gainesville Big Band
The Sounds of the Season!
Gainesville Big Band Jazztober concert, October 11, 2026
Sunday, October 11, 2026 | 2:00 p.m.
JAZZTOBER
The Gainesville Big Band opens its 2026–2027 concert season with a program featuring jazz standards and Latin jazz favorites.
All concerts held at
Meizon Church
Gainesville, FL
3411 NW 83rd St.
Gainesville, FL 32606
(352) 358-1782
MAP  |  WEBSITE
GAINESVILLE BIG BAND EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
Season Ticket Sale Ends October 11, 2026!
5 Concerts for the Price of 4 Through October 11, 2026!

Gainesville Big Band season subscriptions provide admission to five concert programs from October 2026 through June 2027 for $60, or $12 per concert. Individual concert tickets are $15 each before any applicable ticketing fees.

The 2026–2027 season includes expanded scheduling for the Christmas and Valentine's Day concerts. Both programs will be presented on Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m.

Season subscribers may attend either the Friday or Sunday performance of these two programs. Subscribers will receive an email closer to each concert requesting an RSVP for their preferred performance.

UPCOMING 2026–2027 PERFORMANCES
December 4 or 6, 2026
Christmas Concert
February 12 or 14, 2027
Valentine's Day Concert
April 11, 2027
Jazz 101
June 13, 2027
Summer Concert

Friday performances begin at 7:00 p.m. Sunday performances begin at 2:00 p.m.

GAINESVILLE BIG BAND MUSICIANS
Instrumental roster published July 23, 2026

Saxophones:
Alto 1 – Ryan Gamberino
Alto 2 – Joanna Adhami
Tenor 1 – John Gregory
Tenor 2 – Brian Johnson
Baritone Saxophone – Joe Davis

Trumpets:
Trumpet 1 – Rick Marion
Trumpet 2 – Ryan Hall
Trumpet 3 – Vito Montauk
Trumpet 4 – Adrienne Widener

Trombones:
Trombone 1 – Ethan Spencer
Trombone 2 – Michael Murphy
Trombone 3 – Jayven Cromwell
Bass Trombone – Marco Thomas

Rhythm Section:
Guitar – Darren Burgess
Piano – Pamelli Marafon
Bass – Chad Young
Drums – Jon Jackson

Vocalist:
Becky Baby

DIRECTOR – MARCO THOMAS

Marco Thomas is a bass trombonist and music educator originally from Ellenwood, Georgia, near Atlanta. He studied music education at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, where his principal teacher was Brian Brink. Thomas earned his Bachelor of Music Education in 1999 and began teaching middle school band in Hardee County in January 2000.

He entered the University of Florida in the summer of 2002, earning a master's degree in trombone performance while studying with Arthur Jennings. Following graduation, he served as Director of Bands at Hawthorne Middle/High School from 2004 through 2007.

Thomas joined Williams Elementary School in Gainesville as a music teacher during the 2007–2008 school year. He has directed the Gainesville Big Band since 2007 and remains active as a trombone performer and educator in the Gainesville area.

ABOUT GAINESVILLE BIG BAND

The Gainesville Big Band is an 18-piece jazz ensemble based in North Central Florida. Since 2007, the group has presented big band performances in Gainesville and surrounding communities.

Under the direction of Marco Thomas, the ensemble performs music spanning traditional swing, jazz standards, American popular songs, Broadway selections, and contemporary big band arrangements. Its repertoire includes works associated with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Glenn Miller, Cole Porter, and other composers and bandleaders.

The group's concert programming supports its commitment to preserving big band jazz, music education, and community access to live jazz performances.

MISSION

The mission of the Gainesville Big Band, Inc. is to promote an awareness of the educational, spiritual, and civic benefits of jazz through traditional and modern repertoire.

GAINESVILLE BIG BAND CONNECTIONS
Contact: gvillebigband@cox.net
(352) 519-0839
Gainesville Big Band Logo
GAINESVILLE BIG BAND SUPPORTERS

Gainesville Big Band sponsors and supporters include Meizon Church, Visit Gainesville / Alachua County, Hoggtowne Music, Renaissance Printing, and community supporters Rosella Smith, Roger Reep, Wesley Eubanks, Jon Reiskind, Kelly Harris, Jack Siegel, and Jim Heiser.

Information about supporting Gainesville Big Band programs is available on the organization's sponsorship and donation page.

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Gainesville Big Band Announces Five-Concert 2026–2027 Season; Discount Subscription Tickets Now On Sale

Gainesville Big Band
Be part of another great
season of community jazz!
Gainesville Big Band 2026–2027 Season

    Early Bird Special: Gainesville Big Band 
    Season Ticket Sale Ends 10/11/26

  • 10/11/2026 — JAZZTOBER
  • 12/4 or 12/6/2026 — Christmas Concert
  • 2/12 or 2/14/2027 — Valentine's Day
  • 4/11/2027 — Jazz 101
  • 6/13/2027 — Summer Concert
Season ticket holders receive exceptional value with admission to all five Gainesville Big Band concerts from October 2026 through June 2027 for just $60—the equivalent of getting five concerts for the price of four. Individual concert tickets are $15 each. All performances are held at Meizon Church, 3411 NW 83rd St., Gainesville, Florida. New this season, the popular Christmas and Valentine's concerts will each be presented twice, with an added 7:00 p.m. Friday evening performance in addition to the traditional Sunday afternoon concert. Season ticket holders may attend either the Friday or Sunday performance for those two concerts and will receive an email closer to each date requesting an RSVP for their preferred performance.

All concerts held at
Meizon Church
Gainesville, FL
3411 NW 83rd St, Gainesville, FL 32606
MAP  |  WEBSITE
5 Shows for the Price of 4 Until October 11th!

Gainesville Big Band Musicians (7/23/26)

Saxophones:
Alto 1 - Ryan Gamberino
Alto 2 - Joanna Adhami
Tenor 1 - John Gregory
Tenor 2 - Brian Johnson
Baritone Saxophone - Joe Davis

Trumpets:
Trumpet 1 - Rick Marion
Trumpet 2 - Ryan Hall
Trumpet 3 - Vito Montauk
Trumpet 4 - Adrienne Widener

Trombones:
Trombone 1 - Ethan Spencer
Trombone 2 - Michael Murphy
Trombone 3 - Jayven Cromwell
Bass Trombone - Marco Thomas

Rhythm Section:
Guitar - Darren Burgess
Piano - Pamelli Marafon
Bass - Chad Young
Drums - Jon Jackson

Vocalist:
Becky Baby

Director
Marco Thomas is from Ellenwood, GA, a suburb of Atlanta. He is a bass trombone player who studied music education at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL. His principal teacher there was Brian Brink. Thomas earned his Bachelor of Music Education in 1999 and began teaching middle school band in Hardee County in January 2000. He then entered the University of Florida in the summer of 2002, where he earned his Master of Music in trombone performance. His principal teacher there was Arthur Jennings. After graduation, he took a position at Hawthorne Middle/High School as Director of Bands (2004–2007). He began his current position as the music teacher at Williams Elementary in Gainesville during the 2007–2008 school year.
ABOUT Gainesville Big Band
The Gainesville Big Band is an 18-piece jazz ensemble based in North Central Florida, dedicated to preserving and presenting the big band tradition while engaging today's audiences with fresh, themed programming. Since its founding in 2007, the ensemble has brought together experienced musicians from across the region to perform music ranging from classic swing and jazz standards to contemporary big band works.
Under the direction of Marco Thomas, the Gainesville Big Band presents concerts that spotlight key styles, composers, and cultural movements within jazz history. The ensemble places emphasis on musical excellence, education, and community engagement, offering performances that are accessible, informative, and musically rewarding.
Through regular concert series and special programs, the Gainesville Big Band continues to strengthen the cultural life of the Gainesville area while honoring the lasting legacy of American jazz.
MISSION
The mission of the Gainesville Big Band, Inc. is to promote an awareness of the educational, spiritual, and civic benefits of jazz through traditional and modern repertoire.
GAINESVILLE BIG BAND CONNECTIONS
Gainesville Big Band Logo
Sponsorships include Meizon Church, Visit Gainesville / Alachua County, Hoggtowne Music, Renaissance Printing and the following community individuals: Rosella Smith, Roger Reep, Wesley Eubanks, Jon Reiskind, Kelly Harris, Jack Siegel, and Jim Heiser. To join these community cultural leaders as sponsors, click HERE for more information.
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Gil Anthony's BLUES POWER TOP 30 for October 2026 - See who is spinning this month on the platter that matters!

Gil Anthony's BLUES POWER TOP 30

for October 2026


Connect on a personal level with the blues and its vibrant community by tuning in to Gil Anthony's BLUES POWER show live on Facebook.

Show Info

BLUES POWER w/ Gil Anthony (2013 Keeping the Blues Alive Award Winner)

WDIG AM/FM, Dothan, AL: Sundays and Mondays, 6–10pm CDT.
Listen live: https://ice-1.streamhoster.com/lv_wdigradio--broadcast1
The first two hours both evenings, 6–8pm CDT, are streamed live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gil.anthony.3
More info: gilanthonyblues.com

BLUES POWER TOP 30 for October 2026

1: Nicky T & The Snake Charmers, Ain't Wastin' Time, Self
2: Johnny Rawls/Dave Keller, Tribute to Soul, Third St. Cigar Records
3: Shaun Murphy, Brand New Blues, Vision Wall
4: Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra, What Can We Do, Nola Blue Records
5: Chris O'Leary, Blue Collar, Alligator
6: John Primer, Tribute to Teresa's Lounge, Blues House
7: Jason Ricci, 13 Hours, Gulf Coast
8: Danielle Nicole, Fireflies, Forty Below Records
9: Brigitte Purdy, Mother of the Crossroads, Dirtshack Records
10: Mark Hummel, Road Dog, Rocinitis Records
11: Big Harp George, No Shortcuts, Blues Mountain
12: Zac Harmon, Live, Self
13: Kevin Burt, This Trip, Gulf Coast
14: Ethan Askey, Outside the Lines, Self
15: Mike Zito, Outside or the Eastside, Gulf Coast
16: Dave Thomas, Bridge St. Blues, Blonde on Blonde
17: Russ Green, Stone Cold, Overton
18: Vaneese Thomas, Window to My Soul, Overton
19: Peter Parcek, Most of the Time, Self
20: Cedar County Cobras, Sinners & Saints, Overton
21: Mitch Woods, A Night in New Orleans, MoMojo Records
22: Dustin Arbuckle, Fight Like the Devil, Self
23: Jad Tariq, Precious Company, MoMojo Records
24: Various Artists, Antone's 50th Presents, Blue til 2
25: Christopher Wyze, Naptown Blues, Big Radio Records
26: Gerry Hundt Trio, One More For Me, Self
27: Keb' Mo', The Breakdown, Concord
28: Billy Jeter, Dreamland, Self
29: Jeni Grouws, Music House, Navy House
30: Steve Howell, I Don't Mind, Out of the Past Music

Also Playing

Guitar Shorty • Donna Herula • The Boneshakers • Rick Berthod • Brian Torff

* Bold and/or linked indicates a Jazz & Blues Florida highlight (client, Florida artist, or close friend of the family).


Gil Anthony is a longtime blues radio host and promoter best known for his syndicated program Blues Power. With a broadcasting career spanning more than four decades, Anthony has played a consistent role in supporting and advancing blues music across the Southeast, particularly in southern Alabama and northern Florida. His Blues Power show, which began in the 1990s and expanded into a multi-hour weekly broadcast, features new releases, artist interviews, and festival promotion, and is streamed to listeners well beyond its regional base. In recognition of his contributions to the music, Anthony received a Keeping the Blues Alive Award from the Blues Foundation, one of the organization’s highest honors for individuals who support and promote the blues. In addition to his on-air work, he has been active as an event MC, festival supporter, and contributor to blues education initiatives, including programs connected to the Wiregrass Blues Festival. His ongoing Blues Power Top 30 charts continue to highlight current recordings receiving airplay and industry attention.

Contact

Mailing Address:
Gil Anthony
PO Box 6628
Dothan, AL 36302

Email: bluegil@hotmail.com
Website: gilanthonyblues.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gil.anthony.3
Phone: (334) 718-1736

~ ~ ~
#JazzBluesFlorida #BluesPower #Top30 #GilAnthony #BluesMusic #WDIGRadio #KeepingTheBluesAlive #BluesRadio #LiveBlues #ChatAndListen

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Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Atlantic Center for the Arts Presents Selwyn Birchwood's Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues November 6, 2026

ACA 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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Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Forida-Connected Artists Earn Spots on the Independent Blues Broadcasters September 2026 Top 40 Chart

Independent Blues Broadcasters Association

Florida connections are represented on the Independent Blues Broadcasters Association (IBBA) Most Played Album Top 40 for September 2026, reflecting airplay reported by IBBA member broadcasters in the UK and beyond.

Alex Kilroy — BREAK MY CHAINS — #10. Orlando-based blues-rock artist with an established Central Florida base.

Albert Castiglia — GRITS & GLORY — #18. Raised in Miami and long connected to the South Florida blues scene, Castiglia began his professional career with Miami Blues Authority and has maintained strong Florida ties throughout his career.

Friends of Jazz Blues Florida also appearing on the chart include Reverend Raven & Westside Andy & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys at #12 and The Boneshakers at #16.

The Independent Blues Broadcasters Association (IBBA) is an organization of radio presenters in the United Kingdom whose programs feature blues and blues-based or blues-influenced music.

The music heard across IBBA member programs covers a wide range of styles, but blues remains at its foundation. The association recognizes the blues as a musical form that developed in the southern United States from African American culture and acknowledges the profound influence of African American musical traditions on blues, jazz, soul, funk, reggae, hip-hop, blues-rock and other forms of popular music.

Today, this music is performed, broadcast and appreciated by people around the world. The IBBA recognizes the cultural history from which the blues emerged and the generations of musicians who developed, expanded and carried the music forward.

The association also acknowledges the historic and continuing struggles faced by African Americans and other communities affected by racial discrimination, as well as similar issues affecting minority communities in Britain. The IBBA emphasizes the importance of listening to those communities and recognizing their experiences.

The IBBA views music as a force that can bring people together, inspire audiences and contribute to social change. Musicians and music organizations have long participated in movements opposing racism and discrimination, and the association encourages broadcasters and listeners to remain aware of the cultural history at the heart of the music they present and support.


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Monday, October 5, 2026

Central Florida Jazz Society Presents a Saxophone Celebration in Winter Park October 11, 2026

Experience Top Talent JAZZ
in Central Florida!

Sunday, October 11, 2026 | 3:00 - 5:00 PM
CELEBRATING THE 
SAXOPHONE 
with Dave MacKenzie, Rex Wertz, Daniel Bonnet 
and Tanner Goulet & Rhythm Section 
at
Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts
460 E. New England Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789
MAP  |  WEBSITE

Saxophones are a frequent feature in jazz ensembles, but for this Central Florida Jazz Society presentation, they move directly to the front of the lineup. Celebrating the Saxophone brings together Dave MacKenzie, Rex Wertz, Daniel Bonnet and Tanner Goulet, backed by a rhythm section, for an afternoon built around the sound and possibilities of four saxophones.

The program will include music written and arranged specifically for multiple saxophones, including selections associated with Benny Carter’s landmark 1962 album Further Definitions and music from Gerry Mulligan’s The Gerry Mulligan Songbook, recorded in 1957. Carter’s Further Definitions paired alto saxophonists Carter and Phil Woods with tenor saxophonists Coleman Hawkins and Charlie Rouse, supported by piano, guitar, bass and drums. The instrumentation provides a natural historical connection to this CFJS program and its four-saxophone front line.

Dave MacKenzie has been part of the Central Florida music community for decades. Originally from the Atlantic City area, he studied clarinet, flute, piano and saxophone before relocating to Orlando in 1989. His extensive performing and arranging credits include the Orlando Jazz Orchestra, Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band, Michael Andrew, Jim Roberts’ Saxtet, Vivacity and numerous other Central Florida ensembles and productions. His experience as both a reed player and arranger makes him particularly well suited to a program centered on the interplay of multiple saxophones.

Rex Wertz is a multi-instrumentalist performing on tenor and soprano saxophone, clarinet and flute. His long Central Florida career includes associations with Walt Disney World, Chuck Owen’s Jazz Surge, the Sam Rivers Orlando Big Band, Orlando Philharmonic Pops Orchestra and the Rich Walker Quintet. He has also performed with touring musical acts and Broadway productions. Wertz spent approximately two decades performing with the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra at Walt Disney World, whose members later continued performing as the Palm Beach Society Orchestra.

Joining these established Central Florida professionals are Daniel Bonnet and Tanner Goulet, both recipients of Central Florida Jazz Society scholarships. Bonnet and Goulet were among the musicians featured in CFJS’s July 2026 Scholarship Winner Showcase at Blue Bamboo, an event designed to present some of the area’s developing young jazz musicians alongside established professionals. Both are also listed among the Society’s 2026 scholarship winners.

Bringing Bonnet and Goulet together with MacKenzie and Wertz gives the October program an additional connection to the Central Florida Jazz Society’s educational mission, placing emerging musicians alongside experienced professional players in a performance devoted to one of jazz’s defining instrumental voices.
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 — Accordion, Guitar, Vibraphone, Bass and Drums
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
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:
Saturday & Sunday, November 7–8, 2026
Django Festival All-Stars
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
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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Tampa Jazz Club Presents Pete Carney Quintet Featuring Scotty Wright October 11, 2026 in Ybor City

JAZZ STORIES...
HC SUNDAY JAZZ SERIES
Sunday-Afternoon Concerts in Ybor City
Mainstage Theatre
Hillsborough College Ybor City Campus
1411 East 11th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605
MAP
Sunday, October 11, 2026 • 3:00 PM
Pete Carney with Scotty Wright -
West Side Story

The Tampa Jazz Club continues its 2026–2027 season with saxophonist Pete Carney and his quintet featuring vocalist Scotty Wright, bringing the music of Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story into a contemporary jazz setting. Since its Broadway debut in 1957, West Side Story has remained one of the most recognized works of American musical theater. With music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Arthur Laurents, the musical produced a collection of songs that have long attracted jazz musicians as vehicles for interpretation and improvisation. For this Tampa Jazz Club presentation, Carney takes that familiar material beyond its original theatrical setting, creating new jazz arrangements for his quintet and Wright, with selections associated with the score including “Tonight,” “Maria” and “Somewhere.”

Pete Carney

Originally from Chicago, saxophonist, arranger and educator Pete Carney is Director of Jazz Studies at the State College of Florida in Bradenton. His career has crossed jazz, blues, soul and gospel, with performance experience including work with Kirk Franklin, Tito Puente, The Winans, Milt Jackson, Curtis Fuller, Arturo Sandoval and Otis Clay, along with international touring and appearances in the United States and Europe. Carney studied at the University of Michigan and the University of Miami, earned a master’s degree in jazz performance from Florida International University and later completed a doctorate in jazz at the University of Illinois. He also developed Interactive Listening, an educational approach built around active questioning and focused listening intended to help students and audiences develop a deeper understanding of music. That combination of performer, arranger and educator provides a strong foundation for reworking familiar West Side Story material through a jazz perspective.

Scotty Wright

Jazz vocalist Scotty Wright brings more than three decades of professional experience to the program. After spending many years associated with the San Francisco-area jazz scene, Wright relocated to Florida and has become a familiar presence to Tampa Bay jazz audiences. His vocal approach draws on the jazz tradition while emphasizing rhythmic freedom, harmonic awareness and individual interpretation of lyrics, with repertoire ranging from the Great American Songbook to compositions associated with Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Wayne Shorter and Billy Strayhorn. Wright is also a songwriter and pianist, and improvisation remains an important part of his musical approach. His work with Carney adds another dimension to the West Side Story material by combining the score’s theatrical origins with the flexibility and spontaneity of jazz performance.

West Side Story Through a Jazz Lens

The connection between West Side Story and jazz is longstanding. Bernstein’s score incorporates jazz-influenced harmony and rhythm alongside elements drawn from classical music, Latin music and Broadway tradition, giving generations of musicians substantial material to explore beyond the original stage production. This Tampa Jazz Club program places that music directly into the hands of jazz musicians, where arrangement and improvisation can provide another perspective on compositions that have remained part of American musical culture for nearly seven decades.

UPCOMING:
Sunday, November 8, 2026 • 3:00 PM
Butch Thomas with Elias Tona: Jaco 75
Sunday, January 10, 2027 • 3:00 PM
Jeff Rupert, Nate Najar and Daniela Soledade: Getz–Jobim Centennial Celebration
Sunday, February 7, 2027 • 3:00 PM
Whitney James: Love Notes
Sunday, February 28, 2027 • 3:00 PM
Hot Tonic
Sunday, April 25, 2027 • 3:00 PM
Allison Nash
Sunday, May 23, 2027 • 3:00 PM
LaRue Nickelson Plays Pat Metheny
NEW TAMPA JAZZ NIGHTS
Cabaret-Style Evening Performances in New Tampa
New Tampa Performing Arts Center
8550 Hunters Village Road, Tampa, FL 33647
MAP
Friday, December 4, 2026 • 8:00 PM
Bryan J Hughes & The Crew: Christmas CD Release Concert
Saturday, March 6, 2027 • 8:00 PM
Diego Figueiredo with La Lucha
Saturday, May 8, 2027 • 8:00 PM
Paul Gavin Sextet Plays Blakey & Cannonball
Tickets and Tampa Jazz Club Membership

Tickets for both concert series are available through the Tampa Jazz Club. Tampa Jazz Club members receive an automatic ticket discount.

VIEW ALL SHOWS AND PURCHASE TICKETS

JOIN OR SUPPORT THE TAMPA JAZZ CLUB

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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