November's Suncoast Jazz Festival Preview w/Joan Dragon & Ron Regan

The 34th Annual Suncoast Jazz Festival will return to Clearwater, Florida at the beach on Sand Key, November 22-24, 2024.  Music fans will be able to enjoy live performances by dozens of musicians inside the Sheraton Sand Key Resort overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE:  www.suncoastjazzfestival.com. 

RadioStPete.com Sunshine96.7 FM is proud to be a partner with the 2024 Suncoast Jazz Festival and will be broadcasting from the event. We will be interviewing artists in advance of the festival so you can get a VIP preview of who's playing and learn more about them!

 A variety of admission tickets are available with six options ranging from: $40 (after 6 pm) up to $275 for three days of non-stop music. SPONSORSHIPS ALSO AVAILABLE.  For tickets and information, visit online at suncoastjazzfestival.com; or write jazzclassic@aol.com; or phone (727)248-9441. Early Bird tickets are available before October 1. Students with ID are admitted free of charge. 

Suncoast Jazz Festival Director Joan Dragon is excited to announce that there will be three stages with a host of national, regional, and local talent. The entertainment will include Big Easy-flavored early jazz, American Songbook, Modern Acoustic Jazz, Swing, Brazilian, Blues, and even a touch of Rockabilly and Gospel.

“I’ve been a member of the Board of our non-profit organization for over 20 years and I am very excited about our lineup this year, guaranteed to generate interest from a variety of ages,” Dragon said.

Headliners include trombone sensation Wycliffe Gordon, Grammy-nominated guitar virtuoso Diego Figueiredo, early jazz legends, The New Black Eagle Jazz Band and Wally's Warehouse Waifs, New Orleans vibraphonist Jason Marsalis, clarinet and sax master, Ken Peplowski, renowned trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, and more Festival favorites, Adrian Cunningham and Dave Bennet will also be back. 

This will be their strongest lineup of early jazz bands in years that will also include, Davy Jones and the Suncoast Seven featuring Tom Hook, The St. Louis Stompers Classic Jazz Band, and more.  Local jazz talent will once again be a big part of the festival, led by trumpet sensation James Suggs, the jazz trio La Lucha St. Petersburg’s beloved guitarist Nate Najar, the Al Downing All Stars and more. 

They also will feature several top-shelf female performers, including the Brazilian-born singer, Daniela Soledade, plus Synia Carroll, Theo Valentin, and Pepper and Fine Thyme.  We will once again present the best local youth jazz bands and offer student master classes, this year led by Wycliffe Gordon. On Friday, a Nola-style Parasol Parade will kick things off, poolside at 11 am. The Friday Night Swing Dance party is set for 6 pm.  Live music until Midnight. 

WHO'S PLAYING? Some of the bands coming this year (subject to change) 
Diego Figueiredo, Brazil 
Wycliffe Gordon, Georgia
Jason Marsalis, New Orleans
Ken Peplowski, NYC 
Jon-Erik Kellso and the Ear Regulars with John Allred, NYC

Early Jazz Bands: New Black Eagle Jazz Band, New England Wally's Warehouse Waifs, Michigan St. Louis Stompers Classic Jazz Band Davy Jones and the Suncoast Seven featuring Tom Hook Suncoast favorites :Adrian Cunningham - The Professor and His 
Old School Dave Bennett Quartet - from Benny Goodman to Jerry Lee Lewis 

Local Jazz Stars:James Suggs La Lucha Nate Najar 

Women In Jazz: Daniela Soledade Synia Carroll Theo Valentin Heather Thorn and Vivacity Pepper and Fine Thyme

ABOUT THE SUNCOAST JAZZ FESTIVAL The Suncoast Jazz Festival operates under the name Suncoast Classic Jazz Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. The Suncoast Jazz Festival is dedicated to preserving and promoting jazz, one of the great American art forms, and offers an indoor, intimate setting held inside venues with nearby lodging overlooking the Gulf. 

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