By Nanette Wiser
From St. Pete to the beaches, our Paradise community celebrates musicians and songwriters. From Paradise Grill to North End Taphouse, The Ale & The Witch to The Palladium, you can discover local performers. Some are famous, such as Roger Bartlett who was the original Coral Reefer, or Fred Johnson. Here are a few to find and follow on Facebook.
Bryan Hughes, James Suggs & The Crew Swinging at Florida Social on Sunday evenings or Horse & Jockey the last Thursday of the month is a tradition. The Crew, La Lucha and guest artists will be part of the 5/8 memorial tribute to Synia Carroll, jazz singer extraordinaire, who passed in March. Synia Carroll graced the Palladium stages many times, including her Sarah Vaughn and Nina Simone shows.
Daniella Soledade & Nate Najar Daniela Soledade is an internationally acclaimed Brazilian artist who performs with her talented partner, arranger and acoustic guitar virtuoso Nate Najar. If you missed them at Suncoast Jazz Festival or The Palladium April 24, you may have to travel to catch their Love & Bossa Nova or This Is Bossa Nova scintillating shows, as they will travel the U.S. then head to Europe for their tour. With two albums released – A Moment of You (2019) and Pretty World (2021) – and the endorsement of bossa nova masters like Roberto Menescal and Antonio Adolfo, she has brought the delicacy of Brazilian singing to some of the world’s most iconic music venues, including the Blue Note in New York, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, Sunset Sunside in Paris, and the Blue Note in Milan, among others. Praised in publications like Downbeat and Jazz Times, Daniela was recently featured on the cover of JAZZIZ magazine in a story titled “Rio Rhythm: The Heartbeat of Brazilian Music,” alongside names like Ivan Lins, Bebel Gilberto, and Ed Motta.
Florida Folk Show Every Saturday from 10-noon live on RadioStPete.com and Facebook, acclaimed music and Florida history/eco host Peter Gallagher takes over The Craftsman House Gallery with Tim Valle and co-hosts welcoming legendary musical artists (Big Jim Allen, Sarasota Slim) as well as guests who talk about a variety of environmental issues. On some occasions they are live from Florida folk festivals or parks. www.facebook.com/groups/466474616365213
Grego Anderson Gulfport singer songwriter, illustrator and Texas transplant just debuted Carry On and he wrapped a John Prine fundraising tribute including a concert with Marty Fouts. American blues and folk art are his jam. Now based in Gulfport, Florida, Grego continues to create and innovate, blending his extensive musical background with his passion for storytelling through song. His new album, “The Gulfport Troubadour Sessions,” is a testament to his enduring talent and artistic evolution. www.facebook.com/gulfporttroubadour
Simon Lasky British jazz pianist/composer, Simon Lasky, returns to The Palladium 5/15 to celebrate his six years as a Tampa Bay native (and 50 years on the planet!). The evening will feature brand new music performed by his core band – the Simon Lasky Group – plus an exciting array of special guests from The Tampa Bay jazz scene. His 2024 album release (“For The Dreamers” by Simon Lasky Group) has been receiving accolades, rave reviews, and radio play across the U.S. For more music scene and interviews, go to: https://bit.ly/st-pete-music-scene