SUNCOAST JAZZ FESTIVAL Celebrates 34 Years

By Nanette Wiser

(Updated 11/12/2024) It’s official! On November 7th, Clearwater’s Mayor Bruce Rector created an official proclamation honoring the Suncoast Jazz Festival and presented festival director Joan Dragon and her volunteer team with a city proclamation. Said Rector: “On behalf of the City ?of? Clearwater, the Mayor and City Council members we declare Nov. 22-24 “SUNCOAST JAZZ FESTIVAL WEEKEND!”

?Dragon beamed as she was presented the honor, saying: “We look forward to hosting jazz fans once again and offer the comfort of live music with?performances by 80+ national and international jazz artists. We’re excited to showcase these talented musicians on three?stages over three days and nights at the Sheraton Sand Key. “

RadioSt.Pete.com Sunshine 96.7 FM - LISTEN UP to my interviews with national and local performers, including Joan Dragon and Ron Regan preview plus Diego Figueiredo, Jason Marsalis, La Lucha, Bryan J. Hughes and Daniela Soledade + Nate Najar. Learn more about all the performers here. Ticket link here.

It’s more than a festival of concerts. The Suncoast Jazz Festival’s mission, according to Dragon “is to contribute to the education of local young musicians and give them performance opportunities. The Tarpon Springs Jazz Band performs again this year, and we support the next generation of talent all year round. We are an all-volunteer organization, and that’s another thing that makes this world-class annual concert so special. Without our patrons who sponsor concerts, we couldn’t do it as big.”

What’s new this year? “For swing dancers, there’s a larger venue for jitterbugging. ?We have new festival swag in honor of this anniversary. There are jazz jam sessions all weekends in all flavors of live jazz?-Big Easy-Flavored Early Jazz, American Songbook, Modern Acoustic Jazz, Swing, Brazilian, Blues, and even a touch of Rockabilly and Gospel,” says Dragon, who also owns the Wildflower Café in her spare time.

This year’s festival is strong on early and traditional jazz, says Dragon: “We’ve got the best of the best ?with the New Black Eagle Jazz Band, St. Louis Stompers Classic Jazz Band, Wally's Warehouse Waifs, Davy Jones and the Suncoast Seven Feat. Tom Hook and more,” she says proudly. “We also feature legendary Tampa Bay and Florida jazz artists, including Bryan J Hughes and The Crew, ?James Suggs, La Lucha, Daniela Soledade and Nate Najar, Synia Carroll, Heather Thorn, Pepper & Fine Thyme, Theo Valentin, Al Downing All Stars and more!”

There’s even the traditional Parasol Parade to open the event Friday poolside at 11am with Bakey & Betty, a Suncoast JF tradition.? Wycliffe Gorden will lead a youth master class SING IT IFRST 2:45-4:15 Friday. Mash-ups happen all weekend. There there will be a GUITARMAGEDDON 1st time jam Friday with Nate Najar, Carl Amundson, John Merrill, Don Mopsick and Jean Bolduc.? On Saturday, Wycliffe Gordon headlines a BRASS BLOW-OUT. The legendary Professor Adrian Cunningham, a huge favorite, will be rocking the swing dance party and debuts his old school funky jazz new CD as well as hosting a murder mystery.

Headliners usually perform all three days and 2024 may be the best year yet. This? year’s line-up? features Diego Figueiredo;? Jason?Marsalis; Ken Peplowski (who will perform with Diego and Nate Najar/Daniela Soledade’s The Girl From Ipanema); New Black Eagle Jazz Band; Wally’s Warehouse Waifs ?and Wycliffe Gordon

The musicians are equally excited, and many of the headliners are repeat performers and fans of the event. Said Jason Marsalis, who’s performed 7+ times: “I like hanging out and catching up with all the artists and enjoying the jazz aficionados, many of them repeat festival fans, is amazing.”

Find your jazz tribe at The Suncoast Jazz Festival at Sheraton Sand Key in Clearwater. Enjoy cash bars and food, vendors selling music-inspired art, jewelry and souvenirs and more. Free parking for festival attendees. TICKETS:??www.suncoastjazzfestival.com

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