Four Day Jazz Festival Coming to St. Peterburg

The fifteen annual St. Petersburg Jazz Festival is April 1 – 4 in four venues with jazz that includes big band, Brazilian samba, Jazz Manouche, Latin and Global Jazz. In addition to five concerts, there are two free jazz workshops. The jazz festival is produced by the nonprofit EMIT directed by David Manson.

Here’s the lineup:

Jazz Vocalist Workshop with Alexis Cole
Monday, April 1 at 12:30 PM at St. Petersburg College in HS 116

Alexis Cole is founder of JazzVoice.com and the annual Vocal Jazz Summit. Her students include three-time GRAMMY recipient Samara Joy. She gives a free vocal workshop at St. Petersburg College located at 6605 Fifth Ave. North in St. Petersburg.

Alexis Cole & Helios Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, April 2 at 7:30 PM
Palladium Side Door

With a dozen albums Alexis Cole has been compared to classic jazz singers such as Sarah Vaughan and Anita O’Day. Her luxurious voice and innovative interpretations make her an instant favorite with audiences of all ages. Cole is the recipient of a Swing Journal Gold Disk award and was a winner of the NY Jazzmobile and Montreux Jazz Festival vocal competitions, and a finalist of the Sarah Vaughan Competition. In addition to her many performances at top jazz venues like Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, The Jazz Standard, Blues Alley, and Billboard Live, she’s also performed at Avery Fisher Hall and the Kennedy Center and had been a featured soloist with the Boston Pops and NY Philharmonic.

The 18-member Helios Jazz Orchestra, directed by Dr. David Manson, has been featured on the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, and Ybor Jazz Festival. It is comprised of top area jazz musicians who love the sound of a roaring jazz big band! Presented by EMIT.

Mauricio Rodriguez & The Latin Jazz Project”
Wednesday, April 3 at 7:30 PM
Palladium Side Door

This concert will mix original work composed by Mauricio J. Rodriguez with a mixture of the new Cuban contemporary music and some Latin jazz staples. Bassist, composer, producer, and educator, Mauricio J Rodriguez is one of the finest musicians of his generation in Cuba. He was member of Fervet Opus jazz quartet, one of the most important Latin jazz bands in Cuba in the 80’s, touring around the world to many festivals and concert including The Havana Latin Jazz Festival, Jamboree, Bratislava, Spain, and Moscow, among others. He teaches at Saint Leo University. Performers include Zachary Bornheimer- saxophone, Pablo Arencibia – piano, Andy Forner- drums and Mauricio Rodriguez- bass. Presented by EMIT.

Markus Gottschlich Trio
Thursday, April 4 at 7:30 PM
Music Center at St. Petersburg College

Embark on a highly entertaining evening with the Markus Gottschlich Trio, led by the internationally acclaimed pianist hailing from Vienna, Austria. Described by Albuquerque Magazine as “a lyrical, high-energy, and risk-taking artist” Markus Gottschlich, a distinguished Steinway Artist, infuses his performances as “melodically remarkable ideas” as applauded by The Standard, Austria. Making a St. Petersburg Jazz Festival debut, the Trio unveils premieres alongside selections from the albums “Found Sounds” and “Of Places Between.” Performers include Jose Javier Freire (drums), Noam Tanzer (bass) and Markus Gottschlich (piano). With a global presence on festival stages from Europe to the US to Asia, the Markus Gottschlich Trio promises an evening of jazz that transcends borders, showcasing a distinctive artistry that resonates across continents. Presented by EMIT & SPC.

Brazilian Percussion Workshop with Rafael Pereira – FREE!
Thursday, April 4
12:30 – 1:45 PM at St. Petersburg College in HS 109

Rafael Pereira directs a free interactive Brazilian percussion workshop exploring rhythmic styles including samba, Bossa Nova and Baião. Presented by CETL.

O Som Do Jazz with special guests Rafael Pereira & Jose Valentino Ruiz
Friday, April 5 at 7:30 PM
Warehouse Arts District

O Som Do Jazz features Rio de Janeiro singer Andrea Moraes Manson and a crew of experienced musicians performing samba-jazz, Bossa Nova, Balanço, Baião and MPB. O Som Do Jazz (the sound of jazz in Portuguese) recaptures the grace, energy and spirit of Brazilian music. With four CDs and original music placed on BBC, Fox and HBO, O Som Do Jazz is a Florida favorite with performances on the Miami International Jazz Fest, DTO Jazz Fest, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Mod Miami, Pensacola Jazz Fest and more. Special guest Rafael Pereira performing resume includes the GRAMMYs, SNL, Janelle Monae, Prince, Bruno Mars, and many more. JJose Valentino Ruiz is an EMMY Award Winner, a multi- GRAMMY Award nominated artist-producer-engineer, a multi-instrumentalist, composer and professor at the University of Florida. Presented by EMIT & WADA.

Hot Club SRQ
Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 PM
Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement

Hot Club SRQ plays Gypsy Jazz that is deeply rooted in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. This music simply swings and is full of beauty and romance! The quartet emulates the style of what the French call “Jazz Manouche” and “Le Jazz Hot” in the style of Sinti virtuosos and the “Quintette du Hot Club de France.” The heart of this ensemble is the violin and vocals of Keven Aland, the guitar of Jon McLaughlin, bass playing of Glenn Stevenson and world-renowned Brazilian valve trombonist François de Lima. Their string jazz ensemble has been thoughtfully cultivated and crafted for over a decade. There is a genuine warmth and connection that is unique to this ensemble. This group can swing ferociously then suddenly hypnotize you with a beautiful ballad. Presented by EMIT & MAACM.

For more info and ticket sales, see St. Pete Jazz Fest

Photos from St. Pete Jazz Festival