By Nanette Wiser
EMIT LATIN JAZZ FEST On 10/5 @7:30pm at the Music Center of St. Petersburg College, experience the brilliance of multi-Latin GRAMMY®, 15-time Global Music®, and Emmy® award winner, José Valentino & Eternal Power. Celebrate the release of their 20th album “Eternal Power” with world-premiere performances, showcasing futuristic Latin jazz artistry. Artists include José Valentino (flute & saxophone), Robert Acevedo Jr. (percussion), Elias Tona (bass), Jesse Pitts (drums) and Bruno Miranda (piano). On 10/6 @7:30 pm at the ArtsXchange Stage/Warehouse Arts District, Gilberto Garcia & The Latin Knights will wow listeners with their soulful mix of Afro-Caribbean rhythms. The Latin Jazz Knights deliver a world class experience for dancers and audiences. Also, at the ArtsXchange Stage 10/7 @7:30pm, Dimas Sánchez and The Afro Latin Jazz Project is influenced by the sounds of Afro Puerto Rican, Afro Cuban music, and African rhythms. As a guest we will have master percussionist and dancer Olabayo Ogunrrinola from Nigeria. Musicians include Edepson Gonzalez – piano, Mauricio Rodríguez – bass, Jochy Rodríguez – trumpet, Jorge Malavé – saxophone, Jorge Ito Colón – Percussion, Dimas Sánchez – drums and percussion. emitseries.org and stpetejazzfest.com
MAD FOR THEATER Youth interest in musical theater is on the rise and St. Pete MAD (Music, Acting and Dance) just leased a space for a permanent home at The Sunflower Private School in Gulfport. Founder and Creative Director Dru Rabin’s student programs and performances get rave reviews. Here, future stars train in musical theater, voice coaching, Broadway choreography and audition prep. MAD has a track record to prove their success; their students go on to win lead roles in school and community productions and get accepted into the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School as well as nationally respected programs like Interlochen Center for the Arts, Broadway Arts Alliance, and Joffrey Musical Theater. See for yourself. Performance of the Addams Family A New Musical Comedy will be performed 11/3-11/5. Enroll your future superstar now. stpetemad.com
MUSICAL NOTES The Tampa Jazz Club and the USF School of Music are joining with the New Tampa Performing Arts Center for a jazz concert series 2023-24. The new venue was built and is operated by Hillsborough County and will host Shrek, The Musical 10/20-29 (Fri.-Sun.) and guitarist Dave Stryker 11/16. The Suncoast Jazz Festival 11/17-19 2023 hosts 80+ fantastic performers from across the nation and around the globe on five indoor venues in two Sand Key hotels. They’ll be gracing the stages with their musical talent for three days and nights at five indoor venues within two hotels. suncoastjazzfestival.com
Ruby’s Elixir features happy hour live music 7-9:30pm and late-night bands 10pm-2am nightly for dancing, craft cocktails and grooving with friends. rubyselixir.com
