By Nanette Wiser
JAZZ GIANTS
Suncoast Jazz Festival at indoor venues in Sheraton Sand Key Resort and Mariott Sand Key kicks off the holiday season 11/18-20 with some of the best live musical performances today from Professor Cunningham & His Old School, Dave Bennett Quartet, Cornet Chop Suey, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Sierra Seven, La Lucha, Heather Thorn and Vivacity, Bakey and Betty, Al Downing All Stars, Jim Gover’s Dixieland Jam Sessions, Jason Marsalis, Judy Carmichael, Diego Figueriedo, Katie Thiroux, Kermit Ruffins, Jeff Rupert Quartet, Galvanized Jazz Band, Kevin Van Ess’ Talk of the Town Jazz Band, Pepper and Fine Thyme, Jean Bolduc, Synia Carroll, Jane Campedelli, Betty Comora, Mike Evans, Ed Metz, Nate Najar, Bob Price, Daniela Soledade, James Suggs, and Theo Valentin. www.suncoastjazzfestival.com
Want more? Get your groove on at the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival 10/8 with Latin Jazz Fest at Eckerd College and 10/24 with O Som Do Jazz at the Leepa-Rattner Museum. On 10/7 at Bayboro Brewing, the EMIT Latin Jazz Fest presents MJR Latin featuring Mauricio J. Rodriguez, a well-known Cuban bass player and composer, and his band with some of the finest musicians in the area: Grammy winning saxophonist, Zach Bornheimer; pianist Pablo Arencibia; drummer Andy Fornet (of Orquesta Revé and Charanga Habanera, Cuba); and conguero and percussionist Dimas Sanchez. The venue is a recently constructed music venue at Bayboro Brewery located at 2390 Fifth Ave. S in St. Petersburg. It’s a great venue in the Arts Warehouse District with fine craft beers and food and home to the Hideaway Concert Series as well. On 10/8 @3pm, The Latin Knights & O Som Do Jazz play free at The Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement and on 10/16 @3pm, Jaap Blonk performs at the Tully-Levine Gallery in the Arts Warehouse District.
LAUGH IT UP
On 11/6, Adam Sandler brings his music and comedy to Amalie Arena with a surprise guest. Closer to home, lawyer/musician/author (The Last Florida Boy) Tom Gribbin has teamed up with Jon Reno LaBudde (The Big Catch at Salt Creek, Reno Beach Surf Shop) to bring world-class comedy to Paradise with 5Arts Entertainment. No stranger to entertainment, he co-founded Coconuts Comedy Club chain in the ‘80s. With a late-night comedy revue Sept. 30 and more comedy shows Oct.-Nov. at The Palladium, the two will bring 10,000 Laughs: The Best of Boston Comedy to town 1/28/2023. Catch Tom Gribbin and the Saltwater Cowboys 7-10pm 10/8 at Shadracks 50th Anniversary Street party in Pass-A-Grille. (His famous band had two albums, famous here and in England.)
PATRIOTIC TUNES
In honor of Nov. 11 Veteran’s Day, paradise hosts many celebrations, parades and music at local American Legions and community events. U2.0 will headline the Veteran’s Day Red, White, and Brews Festival in Downtown Palm Harbor this year. On 11/12, there’s a Veteran’s Day Bike Ride at Fort DeSoto Park. On 11/13, the 6th Annual Veteran’s Ball takes place at Ruth Eckerd Hall.