By Nanette Wiser
The 33rd Suncoast Jazz Festival on Clearwater’s Sand Key returns 11/17-19 featuring dozens of genres including two-time Grammy award winning Ranky Tanky on Saturday. New Orleans fave Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers laissez le bon temps roulez on Friday and Saturday. Festival director Joan Dragon says, “this is going to be a fantastic year with live performances from 70 musicians.”
On Thursday 11/16, the Suncoast Jazz Festival Gala will be held at the Sand Key Sheraton featuring dinner and entertainment by Jason Marsalis and Friends, Tom Hook and the Hounds and Pepper and Friends in Pepper’s Place after the Gala. Friday kicks off with a New Orleans-style Parasol Parade and The Anachronisticrats and you can swing dance from 7:30pm-midnight with Tom Hook and the Hounds, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Professor Cunningham & His Old School, and the Dave Bennett Quartet.
Saturday highlights include Sunset Music Waterside featuring Theo Valentin and Friends and Ona K with La Lucha, rocking Dave Bennett and at 10:30pm the sexy calendar launch party with Professor Cunningham & His Old School. Rise and shine Sunday to the sounds of Dave Bennett Quartet with Theo Valentin and from 10am-noon, the jazz brunch sizzles with Cynthia Sayer and Her Joyride Band, Rossano Sportiello, Ed Metz, Don Mopsick, Synia Carroll followed by the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association’s Women in Jazz Celebrate Gershwin starring Valerie Gillespie (Leader), Cynthia Sayer, Jen Hodge, Theo Valentin, and Synia Carroll with guests John O’Leary, and Eddie Metz.
Local jazz legends are once again making appearances, including John Lamb. The beloved American Jazz double bassist was a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. The musical line-up also includes dozens of local, regional, and national musicians including St. Petersburg’s beloved Nate Najar and Daniela Soledade.Held inside two resort settings on Sand Key at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort and Marriott suites, the festival features performers from across the nation and around the world from New Orleans, San Francisco and New York to Italy, Brazil, Australia and Rio showcasing a cornucopia of musical genres (Big Easy-Flavored Jazz, American Songbook, Timeless Gullah Jazz, Modern Acoustic Jazz, Swing, Blues, Zydeco and a touch of Rockabilly and Gospel).
The Jolley Trolley offers a free shuttle between hotels and free parking at Sand Key Park. Ticket options range from $40 (after 6pm) to $225 for three days of non-stop music.
Tix/Info www.suncoastjazzfestival.com jazzclassic@aol.com 727-248-9441
