The St. Petersburg Jazz Festival continues to grow and the Palladium’s role in this festival is growing this year as well.
The intimate Side Door Cabaret is the site of three of the festival’s concerts. The artists are young and exciting. And the shows feature a mix of touring artists and some of our best local and regional performers.
The festival – which started in 2009 – was created by Dr. David Manson and EMIT. Here’s a run-down of all the shows with ticketing info. For Palladium shows, tickets are available online and through our box office at 727 822-3590.
Fred Johnson & Helios Jazz Orchestra – February 27
7:30 PM at the SPC Music Center
Fred Johnson
Fred Johnson is an international performer and has spent the past 35 years presenting international concerts and seminars on the power of creative expression as a tool for personal wellbeing and healing. He has performed on stage with or as the opening act for such musical greats as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Herbie Mann, Nat Adderly, Joe Zawinul, David Sanborn, Richard Elliot, Ramsey Lewis, Aretha Franklin, Patti La Belle, Patti Austin, George Benson, BB King and many others. He has presented programs in association with Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Maya Angelou and many others.
He was the first inductee to the Clearwater Jazz Holiday Hall of Fame and was a featured artists at The Jazz Holiday 11 times. He was, for over 20 years in Tampa Bay, a key contributor in both schools and community centers to presenting programs which served to empower the understanding of arts as a conduit for educational enrichment and enhancement of core curriculum skills training in our educational system. Admission is only at the door, but don’t worry – it’s a 300-seat venue!
Silvano Monasterios Trio – February 26
7:30 PM at the Palladium Side Door
Pianist-composer Silvano Monasterios was born in Caracas, Venezuela. He spent his formative years of training at the Jose Angel Lamas Conservatory while he alternately encountered the great American jazz tradition in all its diversity. In 1989, Silvano traveled to Miami, Florida, to participate in the Miami Jazz Festival, where he received a “Best Soloist Award.” In 1998, Silvano was voted “New Artist of the Year” at the Hennessey Cognac Jazz Search in New York City, which led to a slot at the Playboy Jazz Festival. This year also marked the release of his first CD, Roads Not Taken, prompting more critical interest in the U.S. and Latin America.
Silvano has continued to write and evolve while performing and recording with an impressive mix of artists including Randy Brecker, Donald Byrd, Larry Coryell, Paquito D’Rivera, Mark Egan, Sammy Figueroa, Terumasa Hino & the World Jazz All-Stars, Marc Johnson, Dave Liebman, Othello Molineaux, Melton Mustafa, Nathen Page, Claudio Roditi, David Lee Roth, Arturo Sandoval, Shakira, Ira Sullivan, Nestor Torres, Dave Valentin, and Paul Wertico.
This concert features the compositions of Silvano Monasterios joined by Jon Dadurka on bass & Rodolfo Zuñiga on drums. Advance tickets are available at www.mypalladium.org or call (727) 822-3590.
Bird and Diz – February 25
7:30 PM at the Palladium Side Door
James Suggs
Saxophonist Austin Vickrey & trumpeter James Suggs lead this homage to jazz legends Bird (Charlie Parker) and his infamous trumpet playing partner, Diz (Dizzy Gillespie). Parker and Gillespie are still considered two of the most influential musicians in the history of jazz. Along with their cohorts, (pianists Bud Powell and Thelonius Monk) they created Bebop, an expressive style of jazz that revolutionized the world of music beginning in the early 1940’s. In 1945, they collaborated on their first recording together. 70 years later, this tribute concert recaptures of the energy and spirit of these two jazz masters.
Vickrey, on alto saxophone, is joined by James Suggs on trumpet, Tony Castellano on piano, Billy Pillucere on bass, and Joe Renda on drums. This newly formed quintet is devout in honoring these musical giants and the legacy they have left behind. Advance tickets are available at www.mypalladium.org or call (727) 822-3590.
James Varnado Jazz/Funk Band – February 24
7:30 PM at the Palladium Side Door
James Varnado
James Varnado was born in New Orleans and when he was young his family moved to Houma, La. where he began playing drums in the Baptist Church. In pursuing his love of drumming he was honored to sit with some of the finest names in Louisiana including: Dixie Cups (Chapel Of Love), George Porter of the Meters (Sissy Strut), Charmaine Neville of the Neville Brothers Family, Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Wild Magnolia’s and the Mardi Gras Indians, Tad Benoit ‘ Swamp Blues Band and Mem Shannon and the Membership Blues Band.
James’ recent 8 year tenure with Dickey Betts gave him the opportunity to share bookings with such music greats as Ted Nugent, Thin Lizzy (Tommy Aldrich), Santana and BB King.
Having 22 tours out of the United States to South America and Europe, including Brazil, Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, Holland, Belgium and of course the UK, he is a well-traveled drummer. Between tours and gigs James gives private drum lessons to several students. He is always looking to do more. After much consideration James chose to leave Dickey Betts and the ‘Southern Rock’ music venue to pursue his love of Jazz, Funk and Fusion. Band members include James Varnado, Scott Stevenson, Jack Berry & Justin Green. Advance tickets are available at www.mypalladium.org or call (727) 822-3590.
Post Festival Jazz Jam – February 28
6 PM at the Manhattan Casino
Celebrate the conclusion of the 2016 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival at the historic Manhattan Casino with a Post Festival Jazz Jam Session. Hosted by the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, great area jazz musicians share their music with audiences.
The Manhattan Casino was a showcase for local African American artists as well as a haven for traveling African American entertainers who would stop in St. Petersburg during their tours. Some of American music’s most legendary performers played at the Manhattan including James Brown, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn, Fats Domino and the Ink Spots. There is cash bar, food and dance floor, all in a cabaret setting. Admission is $5 at the venue.
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