By Nanette Wiser
Tune up with these great artists and nightclubs. Check Facebook for events and times.
Wayne Levy: Caught up with this jazz crooner/songwriter and keyboardist at Wine Knot Friday, then meandered up to Dunedin’s Fenway Hotel for a Sunday sesh as well as the Epicurean Rooftop Bar. The Wayne Levy Jazz Soul party features his trademark fedora, imprinted on his calling card wine glass. Cannot get enough of this jazz artist who said, “I have a little bit of Mister Rogers in me” when describing his effusively kind spirit. “Life without music is a mistake” is his motto. Levy graduated from the Full Sail of the Recording Arts, Orlando, and Florida and produced his first R&B record in 1996, performing and touring blues and R&B bands in Boise, Idaho, including Jason Parra and Smoking Todd. He has opened for such music greats as CoCo Montoya, R&B Legend Lester Chambers and Clarence Carter, returning to his hometown Lake City, Florida to continue his music career, performing with Matt Marshak, Jeff Kashiwa, Jessy J, and Unam. In addition to playing smooth jazz and Sinatra, he also is the leader of an organic soul eight-piece band.
Rebekah Pulley & the Reluctant Prophets: Rebekah was raised in a musical household with her nine siblings in the rural countryside. A self-taught guitarist, she gained an ear for music by listening to her father’s rockabilly practice and perform with country legend Charlie Ryan.
She moved to St. Pete in 1990, playing open mic nights and coffeehouses and is now an acclaimed singer-songwriter in demand at festivals. Says The Hideaway Café, where she often plays: “Pulley’s melodies are a rootsy blend of soulful, southern folk. Her natural home is now on stage both acoustically and with her band, The Reluctant Prophets.
“A lover of lyrics, hers are insightful and heartfelt, and she sings them with a voice that is equal parts bourbon and honey. Rebekah has recorded four full-length CDs. Each one contains its own blend of tough but tender songs reflecting heartache, love, self-discovery and the nature of the world around her.” With four CDs and five Best of the Bay awards from Creative Loafing, she will stir your soul. Catch her at The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art 6/22 @7:30-9:30 pm and The Hideaway Café 6/28 @8pm.
Get Your Groove On: Tuesday night live concerts are back at the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art. After a year-long pandemic hiatus, the Tomkats Jazz Orchestra is returning to the Blue Parrot on Corey Avenue Mondays @7pm.
Downtown, Flute & Dram serves happy hour 5pm and live music nightly; Wednesday is Ladies Night with 50% off by the glass beer, wells, house wine/bubbly and specialty cocktails. We love Jim Garrett Thursday 5pm, especially his Johnny Cash tunes.
El Cante Club is the new downtown hotspot, nestled in the former Ceviche restaurant at 10 Beach Drive. Enjoy delicious tapas, dancing and live music (jazz Tuesday, salsa Thursday and flamenco jazz nightly).
Gulfport’s music scene rocks, with live tunes at Tutto Bene, Salty’s, O’Maddy’s Bar, JahVa Coffee Lounge and Caddy’s, Neptune Grill and North End Taphouse. Stop in for live entertainment Wednesday/Thursday @5-8pm at the The Sand Dollar Bar at Beach House Suites by the Don Cesar.