Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2016 Program

EVENT PROGRAM

Welcome 

Dear Guests: 

We devote a lifetime 

to our work, too. 

I am pleased to welcome you to the 2016 Jacksonville Jazz 

Festival, one of our city’s most exciting signature events. In 

this annual tradition, talented and world-class musicians and 

artists come to Florida’s First Coast to delight audiences of all 

ages. For months, staff members and sponsors have worked 

diligently to produce a weekend of acts and festivities for us 

to enjoy. I thank you for honoring them with your attendance! 

We are incredibly excited about the festival’s return to 

downtown. Few places throughout this country can provide a 

scene rich with culture, heritage and energy like our very own 

community. I look forward to great music and memories to be 

shared with family and friends. 

Enjoy the festival! 

. 

Sincerely, 

“Jazz music is America's 

past and its potential, 

summed up and sanctified 

and accessible to anybody 

who learns to listen to, 

feel, and understand it. 

The music can connect us 

to our earlier selves and to 

our better selves-to-come. 

It can remind us of where 

we fit on the time line of 

human achievement, an 

ultimate value of art.” 

— Wynton Marsalis 

Lenny Curry 

JACKSONVILLE 

UFHealthJax.org 

Moving Medicine Forward with Every Patient We Serve 

Mayor 

2016 Jacksonville Jazz Festival 3

TABLE OF 

CONTENTS 

Welcome ............................... 3 

Performer Schedule ...................... 5 

Jazz Marketplace ........................ 7 

Jazz Store & 2016 Poster .................. 9 

Festival Happenings ..................... 13 

Hall of Fame ........................... 15 

Piano Competition ....................... 16 

Festival Map ........................... 30 

Jazz Clinic ............................. 33 

Omni Sacred Jazz Brunch ................. 47 

HEADLINERS 

Friday, May 27 

Snarky Puppy .......................... 18 

Dr. John ............................... 19 

McCoy Tyner ........................... 21 

Benny Golson Quartet .................... 23 

Saturday, May 28 

Jon Batiste and Stay Human ............... 34 

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah ............. 35 

Somi ................................. 36 

Yellowjackets ........................... 38 

Lizz Wright ............................. 40 

Generation neXt ......................... 42 

FRIDAY, MAY 27 

Swingin’ Stage 

presented by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority 

Main St. and Monroe St. 

Chris Godber 

5:30-7 p.m. 

Dr. John 

7:30-9 p.m. 

Snarky Puppy 

9:30-11 p.m. 

Groovin’ Stage 

Hemming Park 

Longineu Parsons 

Ensemble 

5-6 p.m. 

Benny Golson Quartet 

6:30 -8 p.m. 

McCoy Tyner 

8:30-10 p.m. 

SATURDAY, MAY 28 




Jacksonville Jazz Piano 

Competition Winner 

2:30-3 p.m. 

Warren Wolf 

& The Wolfpack 

3:30-5 p.m. 

Somi 

5:30-7 p.m. 

Christian Scott 

aTunde Adjuah 

7:30-9 p.m. 

Jon Batiste & Stay Human 

9:30-11 p.m. 

SUNDAY, MAY 29 





Hemming Park 

DA Jazz Band 

2-3 p.m. 

Charenée Wade 

3:30-5 p.m. 

Lizz Wright 

5:30-7 p.m. 

Ken Ford 

7:30-9 p.m. 

Yellowjackets 

9:30-11 p.m. 


Hemming Park 

Breezin’ Stage 

presented by Moe’s 

The Jacksonville Landing 

UNF Jazz Ensemble I 

5:30-6:30 p.m. 

Spice and the Po’Boys 

7-8:30 p.m. 

Jazz Jam Session 

Hosted by the Lisa Kelly/ 

JB Scott Quintet 

9 p.m. – Midnight 




JU Jazz Faculty 

2-3 p.m. 

The Chris Thomas Band 

3:30-4:30 p.m. 

Terry “Doc” Handy 

5-6 p.m. 

Festival open 4-11 p.m. Music starts at 5 p.m. 

MORE PERFORMANCES: 

Jazz After Dark 

See page 11 

JazzFestAfterDark.com 

10 p.m. - 2 a.m. 


Mark Pender 

presented by Buffet Crampon 

6:30-7:30 p.m. 

Generation neXt 

featuring Nicholas Cole, 

Lin Rountree & Lebron 

8-9:30 p.m. 


Jazz Fest Clinic 

Presented by Buffet Crampon 

See page 33 

Ritz Theatre and Museum 

829 N Davis St. 

Jacksonville, FL 32202 

10 a.m. - noon 

Jazz Parade 

Presented by iHeartMedia 

See page 13 

Starts at the corner of 

Monroe and Laura Streets 

2 p.m. 


See page 11 

JazzFestAfterDark.com 

10 p.m. - 2 a.m. 





Sunday, May 29 

KEM ................................. 48 

Nathan East ............................ 49 

Cyrille Aimée ........................... 50 

Dizzie Gillespie Afro-Cuban Experience .... 52 

Jamison Ross .......................... 53 

John Lumpkin 

and The Covenant 

2:30-4 p.m. 

Cyrille Aimée 

4:30-6 p.m. 

Nathan East 

6:30-8 p.m. 

KEM 

8:30-10 p.m. 

Eric Carter & Co. 

2:30 -4 p.m. 

Jamison Ross 

4:30-6 p.m. 

Dizzy Gillespie 

Afro-Cuban Experience 

6:30-8 p.m. 

Jimmy Beats 

2-3 p.m. 

Gary Starling Group 

featuring Russell George 

3:30-4:30 p.m. 

Pierre & Co. 

5-6 p.m. 

Bobby Lee Rogers 

Jazz Trio 

6:30-8 p.m. 


Omni Sacred 

Jazz Brunch 

The Noel Freidline Quintet 

featuring Maria Howell 

See page 47 

Omni Hotels & Resorts 

OmniJazzBrunch.Eventbrite.com 

11 p.m. - 2 p.m. 

4 2016 Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2016 Jacksonville Jazz Festival 5

Jazz Marketplace offers an exciting shopping 

experience in the heart of the festival. Wind 

your way through award-winning artists, master 

craftspeople, specialty vendors, and existing 

Downtown Cigar Lounge 

Love Your Hats! 

Barefoot Girl Images Photography 

All 4 You 

bou’Tique 3:16 

Jacksonville Jazz Society, Inc. 

Ricky Steele Designs 

Bonnie Jayne Art 

nine14creations.com, LLC 

African Art Market Place 

The Elegant Elephant 

Negro League 

downtown establishments. The marketplace will 

feature unique wares such as hand-made clothing, 

jewelry, original art and other handcrafted items. 

Trade Exchange 

Frankie Alice’s Beachside Boutique 

Dana’s Treasures 

LifenBlackandWhite 

Authentic Me Enterprises 

The Classic Maven Boutique 

MBellish by CharMega 

Copper Head Metal Arts 

Savannah Essentials DBA Pure Shea Store 

Homeport Soapworks 

The Bead Bowl 

Holdster 


The day that every girl dreams of is finally here. The guests are seated, the flowers are arranged beautifully, and the rings are 

ready to be exchanged. After you take that memorable trip down the aisle, it is time to celebrate with friends and family. 

Whether you are dancing in overalls or a tuxedo, you are bound to work up an appetite. So say “I Do” to Barbecue or 

spend the rest of your days with something more “gourmet” with Bono’s and Pastiche Catering. We vow to make 

your event as memorable as the future that lies ahead. 

BONO’S & PASTICHE CATERING 

From no ties to bow ties. 

904.332.7427 

Jazz Store 

Commemorate your experience at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival 

with some official gear! This year’s merchandise includes t-shirts, cups, 

hats, posters and other items to keep you cool. 

The Official Jazz Festival Store is conveniently located in the heart 

of the festival at the Visit Jacksonville Visitor Center on Laura Street. 

Be sure to check out the other exciting activities and attractions Jacksonville 

has to offer while you are here! 

Commemorative Poster 

Since its inception in 1981, 

the Jacksonville Jazz Festival has 

presented itself with striking visual 

imagery in the form of the official 

poster. Over the years, talented 

local artists have contributed 

their unique touch to this much 

anticipated and collectible piece 

of marketing and memorabilia. 

The festival is proud to present 

this year’s poster design by local 

artist and designer, Karen Kurycki. 

About the Design 

and Artist 

Karen Kurycki is a designer/ 

illustrator in Jacksonville, FL. 

Design is her passion and she 

loves to combine illustration with 

design in her commercial work. 

Karen has been experimenting 

with watercolor since her days at 

Kent State University, embracing 

its unpredictability and the 

surprises that can come out of 

using it. She admits that in her 

view of the world she usually sees 

the humorous, the quirky, the 

slightly off “normal”, which she 

tries to communicate through her 

design and illustration. 

When thinking of Jacksonville, 

Kurycki is drawn to the beautiful 

skylines and the architecture of 

its bridges, and the river that is 

central to its identity. In coming 

up with a concept for the poster, 

she wanted to somehow combine 

Jacksonville the City with an 

element of Jazz the Music to be 

symbolic of that merger during 

the festival. Kurycki chose bright, 

Map is not drawn to scale. Locations subject to change. 

s 

JULIA JULIA 

Omni Hotel Jacksonville 

Times-Union Center for 

the Performing Arts 

Federal 

Courthouse 

Ed Ball 

Building 

WATER 

2 

City Hall at 

St. James 

Groovin’ 

Stage 

Hemming Park 

Visit 

Jacksonville 

Northbank Riverwalk 

LAURA 

3 

DUVAL 

MOCA 



Main Library 

MONROE 

ADAMS 

FORSYTH 

BAY 

INDEPENDENT 

JAX 

Chamber 

vibrant colors to represent the 

energy and atmosphere the event 

brings to our city. Like jazz, which 

can be quite unpredictable, she 

worked in watercolor—a medium 

that often surprises the artist in 

how the colors interact with one 

another while drying. 

MAIN 

Main Street 

Park 

Swingin’ 

Stage 

1 

Main Street Bridge 

OCEAN 

Th 

T 

COASTL 

ST 


Welcome to 

Jacksonville! 

It’s time to explore everything our 

city has to offer! For things to do, 

dining options and more, check 

out visitjacksonville.com

Festival Happenings 

TRY THE NEW 

AARP Block Party 

Find the AARP Block Party 

at the intersection of W. Adams 

and N. Laura Streets. 

Whether you have been 

performing all your life or you are 

ready to face your fear, all are 

welcome! Take the stage and lipsync 

to jazzy versions of classic 

and contemporary songs. What 

gets you jazzed? Tell us on the 

interactive wall. 

Guest Services 

Presented By UF Health 

Visit one of the Guest Service 

booths presented by UF Health 

and let our helpful volunteers 

answer any questions about the 

festival and pick up your free UF 

Health Glow Stick. See the map 

inside the guide for locations. 

Lowe’s 

Stop by our garden and patio 

display with outdoor grilling 

features. Meet our experts 

and let us help you create the 

outdoor living space of your 

dreams! You can also register 

to win a Lowe’s gift card. Check 

out our pop-up Jazz Garden 

piano fountains for the perfect 

photo opportunity. 

Welcome To Moe’s! 

Swing by and ROCK OUT to some 

Honestly Awesome Food! While 

your hanging around, be sure 

to test your luck with one of our 

games where you can score FREE 

stuff like Moe’s Gear, Burritos, 

Caterings and much more. Or if 

you are just looking to kill some 

time, just stop by and sing us your 

favorite tune! We don’t mind…. 

That How We Roll! 


“Jazz After Dark” returns for 

another year! Following the last 

act of the festival lineup each 

night, enjoy even more live 

music from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. 

Participating bars and clubs are 

located within a couple of blocks 

from the Jazz Festival stages. 

SLURPEE (Saturday Only) 

It’s partee time, people! 

We’re going BIG to celebrate 

Slurpee Fiftee all year long 

and you’re invited to join the fun 

at Slurpee.com. Check out 

the Slurpee Mobile this 

Saturday for samples of the 

world’s coolest drink. 

V101.5 

Stop by the V101.5 tent and get all 

the details about Sista Strut—our 

inaugural 3K Breast Cancer Strut— 

plus register to win 4 Disney 

Florida Resident Annual Passes! 

B96.3 Jams 

Stop by the B96.3 Jams Booth 

for your chance to win a Weekend 

Getaway on St Simons Island, and 

stay at the Beautiful Ocean Lodge 

Hotel… Plus get all the details 

about Sista Strut our inaugural 3K 

Breast Cancer Strut… 

JAX Wholesale 

Kitchens & Baths 

Stop by JAX Wholesale Baths & 

Kitchens display to register-to-win 

a free granite countertop for your 

kitchen and bath! 

Jazz “2nd Line” Parade 

Presented By iHeart Media 

In true New Orleans jazz fashion, 

you won’t want to miss the 

Second Line Jazz Parade winding 

through the streets on Saturday, 

May 28 at 2 p.m. 


JACKSONVILLE 

JAZZ FESTIVAL 

The Hon. Jake Godbold 

1999 

Dan Kossoff 

1999 

Mike Tolbert 

1999 

Jack Melvin 2016 

For over fifteen years Jack Melvin, Jr. has been an 

integral part of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. As 

owner of Keyboard Connections, Jack is a dedicated 

educator, sharing his passion and love of music by 

teaching over 100 students a week. Jack’s support 

of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival began with the 

Great American Piano Competition, now known 

as the world renowned Jacksonville Jazz Piano 

Competition. He has been an advocate for the Youth 

Jazz Competition, formerly known as the Generation 

Next Youth Talent Competition. Jack’s support of the 

event, dedication to the community, passion for Jazz 

and pianos have played a large role in making the 

event possible. 

Ira Koger 

2000 

Marcus Roberts 

2003 

Rich Matteson 

2000 

Dick Brown 

2004 

The Hon. Elaine Brown 

2003 

Vic DiGenti 

2004 

Cecil Cole 

2005 

Teddy Washington 

2006 


2006 

Von Barlow 

2007 

Dr. Bill Prince 

2008 

Joyce Hellman Bizot 

2009 

Bob Bednar 

2010 

Na’im Rashid 

2010 

The Hon. Bill Chappell 

2011 

Bunky Green 

2011 

Bernard “Womack” 

Howard 2012 

Gary Starling 

2012 

Lisa Kelly 

2013 

Theresa O’Donnell Price 

2013 

Ace Martin 

2014 

Noel Freidline 

2015 

2016 Jacksonville Jazz Festival 15 

©2011 The Coca-Cola Company.

MAY 26, 2016 

The Finalists 

The Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition, presented by 

Keyboard Connection, has been a staple in the annual 

festival for over 20 years. Pianists from around the world 

compete for a cash prize and chance to play on the 

main festival stage. Held at the historic Florida Theatre, 

the Piano Competition serves as the official opening 

event of the 2016 Jazz Festival. 

Bill Alexson currently resides in Nashville and 

and is pianist, composer and music educator. He 

was named the winner of the 2012 West Virginia 

University Jazz Piano Competition and also received 

the Belmont University’s Award of Outstanding 

Achievement in Music in 2013. In 2015, he was the 

featured soloist on George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody 

in Blue”, which he performed with the Nashville 

Collegiate Orchestra. 

Zach Bartholomew, a Florida native, was born in 

Tallahassee and graduated cum laude from Florida 

State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music - 

Jazz Studies. His trio has performed all around the 

country and in Europe on Princess Cruise Lines. 

He has recently been awarded a full tuition waiver 

from the University of Miami Frost School of Music 

to pursue the doctorate of musical arts in jazz 

instrumental performance. 

Masayoshi Ishikawa, originally from Fukushima, 

Japan, came to the United States in 2003 for his 

collegiate musical education where he discovered his 

passion for jazz. As a pianist, Ishikawa has performed 

at festivals and concerts throughout Italy, China 

and the US. His composition, “Hotaru” (firefly), was 

selected as the winner of the 2014 Downbeat Student 

Music Awards in Graduate Original Composition for 

Small Ensemble. 

Takeshi Ohbayashi studied film scoring and 

composition at Tokyo College of Music, where he 

discovered his calling to jazz during his freshmen 

year. Ohbayashi continued his education at the 

Berklee College of Music in Boston and was selected 

to be a part of the Berklee Global Institute, led 

by Danillo Perez. Ohbayashi currently resides in 

New York City, where he leads “New Century Jazz 

Quintet”, co-founded with Ulysses Owens Jr. 

Ben Rosenblum is a New York-based jazz pianist/ 

composer and currently attends the joint program 

between Columbia University and Julliard School 

of Music. His work has garnered numerous awards, 

including the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers award 

in 2010, the Downbeat Student Music Award for Best 

Original Song in 2010 and the Downbeat Student 

Music Award for Best Arrangement in 2011. 

The Rhythm 

The Judges 

The Master 

of Ceremony 

Noel Freidline returns to 

the Jacksonville Jazz Festival 

as the Master of Ceremonies 

for the Jacksonville Jazz 

Piano Competition. 

Dennis Marks has 

performed with many of 

the great musicians such 

as Dizzy Gillespie, Dave 

Liebman, Bob Mintzer, and 

Pat Metheny. He appeared 

on Sandoval’s GRAMMY ® 

Award-Winning Hot-House. 

Former U.S. Navy Commodores 

drummer, Clyde Conner, 

is a renowned drummer and 

educator and has performed 

at the notable Blues Alley jazz 

club, the Big Apple Circus in 

Reston, VA, as the “Pops” 

drummer with the Baltimore 

Symphony. 

Lynne Arriale has performed 

internationally for the past 25 

years on festival and concert 

stages throughout Europe, the 

UK, Japan, China, Canada, 

Australia and the US, has 

recorded 13 highly acclaimed 

CDs as a leader and is 

Professor of Jazz Studies at UNF. 

Oscar Perez, 1997 UNF 

Alumni, is an in demand pianist, 

composer and educator living in 

the NY area. He placed second 

in this competition in 2014. 

Oscar has recorded critically 

acclaimed CDs and is part of 

the Saturday lineup performing 

with Charenée Wade. 

Naim Rashid, 2010 Jacksonville 

Jazz Festival Hall of Fame 

Inductee, is a retired Navy 

Broadcast Journalist, Jazz 

radio host, founder and former 

president of the Jacksonville Jazz 

Society. He is currently a volunteer 

jazz announcer on Flagler College 

Radio (WFCF-FM 88.5). 

Whether you are a professional or a beginner. 

All roads lead to Keyboard Connection 

your official Yamaha Piano Dealer! 

9912 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 

KeyboardConnectionJax.com • 880-0002 

To purchase the piano of your dreams visit 

Keyboard Connection today! 

16 2016 Jacksonville Jazz Festival

Snarky Puppy 

Snarky Puppy is truly a different 

kind of musical animal. The 

once Texan, now New York-based 

GRAMMY Award-winning quasicollective 

has gone from the bestkept 

secret to one of the most 

respected names in instrumental 

music. Although still “underground” 

in many respects, the band has 

earned high praise from critical 

stalwarts like the BBC, Village Voice, 

Guardian, and Boston Herald, and 

has performed at some of the best 

venues and festivals in Asia, Europe, 

Australia, and North America. 

Led by award-winning 

bassist, guitarist, and composer 

arranger Michael League, Snarky 

Puppy seamlessly fuses a deep 

knowledge and respect for 

musical tradition with 

sonic and conceptual innovation 

in a way that is able to reach the 

most critical- or most carefreeaudience. 

The convergence of 

musicians from white and black 

America, which occurred while 

the band was in its adolescence 

at the University of North Texas, 

has naturally established a 

system of balance that instantly 

draws listeners to the music- raw 

funk and sensitive dynamics, 

relentless pocket and lyrical 

melodicism, lush harmony and 

soulful simplicity, and most 

importantly, a delicate mixture of 

composition, harmony, melody 

and improvisation. 

Snarky Puppy is a three-headed 

creature: first, and most obviouslyan 

original music ensemble. 

Second- a production team 

and session band for individual 

artists. Third, and probably most 

importantly- Snarky Puppy is a 

group of musicians enthusiastically 

committed to music education 

and community outreach. Working 

with groups like ROAM (Roots 

Of American Music) in inner city 

Cleveland and the Music Lab at 

Jefferson Center in Roanoke, as 

well as giving clinics at hundreds of 

colleges, high schools, and middle 

schools worldwide, the band 

has made a strong commitment 

to spreading their love of music 

and general positivity to a young 

generation looking for something 

real to be inspired by. 

Dr. John 

The legendary Dr. John is a 

six-time GRAMMY Awardwinning 

musician and Rock 

& Roll Hall of Fame inductee. 

Known throughout the world as 

the embodiment of New Orleans’ 

musical legacy, Dr. John is a true 

icon in American culture. His 

colorful musical career began in 

the 1950s when he wrote and 

played guitar on some of the 

greatest records to come out of the 

Crescent City, including recordings 

by Professor Longhair, Art Neville, 

Joe Tex and Frankie Ford. 

Dr. John headed west in the 

1960s, where he continued 

to be in demand as a session 

musician, playing on records by 

Sonny and Cher, Van Morrison, 

Aretha Franklin and The Rolling 

Stones’ Exile On Main St. During 

that time he launched his solo 

career, developing the charismatic 

persona of Dr. John the Nite 

Tripper. A legend was born with 

his breakthrough 1968 album 

Gris-Gris, which introduced to the 

world his unique blend of voodoo 

mysticism, funk, rhythm & blues, 

psychedelic rock and Creole 

roots. Several of his many career 

highlights include the masterful 

album Sun, Moon and Herbs in 

1971 which included cameos from 

Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger 

and 1973’s In the Right Place, 

which contained the chart hits 

“Right Place Wrong Time” and 

“Such A Night.” In addition to his 

six GRAMMY wins (1989, 1992, 

1996, 2000, 2008 and 2013), he 

has received six other GRAMMY 

nominations over the years. 

In 2013, Dr. John was awarded 

an honorary doctorate from 

Tulane University alongside 

His Holiness the Dalai Lama. 

On August 19, 2014, Dr. John 

released Ske-Dat-De-Dat… 

The Spirit Of Satch on Concord 

Records, an album in tribute 

to another larger-than-life New 

Orleans legend, Louis “Satchmo” 

Armstrong. After a half century 

of creating music for others 

and himself, Dr. John continues 

to write, arrange, produce and 

interpret with a passion that has 

yet to wane. 


Chris 

Godber 

Chris Godber isn’t just another 

sax player. When Godber 

performs, his goal is not just to 

entertain, but to inspire. Despite 

being told by doctors he wouldn’t 

be able to play the saxophone 

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due to the severity of his asthma, 

Chris Godber took to it anyway. 

Picking up the sax in middle 

school band at age 12, Godber 

has been leaving others breathless 

ever since. His performance is 

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invigorating and inspiring. As 

Chris put it, “God blessed my 

playing and gave me the ability to 

play even with my asthma, so all 

Glory goes to Him. I tell my story 

everywhere that I play because I 

want it to resonate with people just 

as much as my music. You never 

know who’s out there listening 

and who needs to hear that the 

message of God’s grace, hope and 

healing. That’s why I do what I do.” 

Godber’s latest album, Starting 

Over has taken the airwaves 

by storm. The first two singles, 

“Rain” and “Chill” landed him on 

the Top 50 charts of smoothjazz. 

com. “Rain” hit #6 on Groove 

Jazz Music Charts; both can be 

heard on SIRIUS XM’s Watercolors 

where they receive steady airplay. 

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McCoy Tyner 

McCoy Tyner’s blues-based 

piano style, replete with 

sophisticated chords and an 

explosively percussive left hand 

has transcended conventional 

styles to become one of the most 

identifiable sounds in improvised 

music. His harmonic contributions 

and dramatic rhythmic devices 

form the vocabulary of a majority 

of jazz pianists. 

In the summer of 2005, Tyner 

joined forces with the Blue Note 

Jazz Club in New York and 

became the first client of Blue 

Note Management. That summer, 

Tyner began work on some unique 

projects, including performances 

with tap-dancer Savion Glover and 

the development of the Impulse! 

Septet, featuring his trio with some 

of today’s top horn men. 

Tyner’s partnership with the 

Blue Note has led to the formation 

of his own record label, aptly 

titled McCoy Tyner Music. The 

label is a subsidiary of the Blue 

Note’s In-House record label, 

Half Note Records. The label 

launched on September 11, 

2007, upon the release of Tyner’s 

latest CD, Quartet featuring Joe 

Lovano, Christian McBride, and 

Jeff Tain Watts. Recorded live on 

New Year’s Eve 2006, the album 

features a working band at its 

finest with some of today’s legends 

in training. Additionally, the record 

shows that Tyner, who now carries 

the torch as the only surviving 

member of the John Coltrane 

Quartet, is still at the top 

of his game as a composer, 

performer, and bandleader. 

Tyner has always expanded his 

vision of the musical landscape 

and incorporated new elements, 

whether from distant continents 

or diverse musical influences. 

More recently he has arranged 

for big bands, employed 

string arrangements, and even 

reinterpreted popular music. 

Today, Tyner has released nearly 

80 albums under his name, earned 

four GRAMMYS and was awarded 

Jazz Master from the National 

Endowment for the Arts in 2002. 

He continues to leave his mark on 

generations of improvisers, and yet 

remains a disarmingly modest and 

spiritually directed man. 

20 2016 Jacksonville Jazz Festival 


Benny 

Golson 

Quartet 

Born in 1929, multitalented 

and internationally famous 

jazz legend, Benny Golson was 

raised with an impeccable musical 

pedigree. Golson, a composer, 

arranger, lyricist, producer, and 

tenor saxophonist of world 

note, has played in the bands of 

world famous Benny Goodman, 

Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, 

Earl Bostic and Art Blakey. Few 

jazz musicians can claim to be 

true innovators and even fewer 

can boast of a performing and 

recording career that literally 

redefines the term “jazz”. 

Benny Golson is the only living 

jazz artist to have written eight 

standards for jazz repertoire. 

These jazz standards have found 

their way into countless recordings 

internationally over the years and 

are still being recorded. He has 

recorded over 30 albums for many 

recording companies in the United 

States and Europe under his own 

name and innumerable ones with 

other major artists. A prodigious 

writer, Golson has written well over 

300 compositions. 


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or stay on the ship for an unprecedented two week jazz experience. 

SINCE 2001 

Jan. 28 – Feb. 4, 2017 

Celebrity Summit ® 

Ft. Lauderdale • Cozumel 

Costa Maya • Belize • Key West 

Producer of 63 full ship charters 

THE JAZZ CRUISE 

2017 LINEUP 

Al Jarreau 

Eliane Elias 

Jimmy Cobb 

Paquito D’Rivera 

Cyrille Aimée 

René Marie 

Superband 

(Randy Brecker, 

Mike Stern, 

Bill Evans, 

Tom Kennedy, 

Dennis Chambers) 

John Pizzarelli 

Clayton Brothers 

Jeff Hamilton 

Freddy Cole 

Shelly Berg 

(Music Director) 

and more! 

THE CONTEMPORARY 

JAZZ CRUISE 

2017 LINEUP 

Host Marcus Miller 

Pat Metheny Trio 

(San Juan Special Guest) 

Gregory Porter 

Dianne Reeves 

Lalah Hathaway 

The Bad Plus 

Joshua Redman 

Terence Blanchard 

Chucho Valdés 

Robert Glasper Trio 

David Sanborn 

Geoffrey Keezer 

Billy Kilson 

Grace Kelly 

Wycliffe Gordon 

and more! 

INTRODUCING 

February 4 – 11, 2017 

Celebrity Summit ® 

Ft. Lauderdale • Nassau 

San Juan • Samaná • Labadee 


ENSEMBLE 

Longineu Parsons has been 

hailed by critics internationally 

as being one of the world’s finest 

trumpet players. He also performs 

on recorders, flute, percussion 

and is a vocalist. Longineu 

performs classical and jazz on 

trumpet and his compositions 

include orchestral works and 

chamber music as well as jazz and 

world music. He is the protégé of 

the great cornetist, Nat Adderley. 

Longineu has performed in 

some thirty countries in North, 

South and Central America, 

Europe, Asia, the Middle East and 

Africa and performed for such 

dignitaries as the King of Morocco, 

the President of Gabon, the Royal 

Family of the Netherlands, the 

President of Austria, the U.S. 

Ambassador to France, The 

Easy E 

3pm - 7pm 

Royal Family of Monaco and for 

UNESCO. In addition, he has 

performed and recorded with jazz 

greats such as Cab Calloway, 

Nat Adderley, Cecil Taylor, Nancy 

Wilson, Joe Williams, Herbie 

Mann, Frank Foster, Mal Waldron, 

Philly Joe Jones, Archie Shepp, 

Sun Ra, Sam Rivers, David Murray, 

Billy Harper, and many others. 

Longineu has been soloist 

with the Jacksonville Symphony, 

Palm Beach Pops, Tallahassee 

Symphony, Augusta Symphony, 

Gainesville Symphony and the 

University of South Carolina 

Symphony Orchestras. He has 

been a clinician at high schools 

and universities, most notably, the 

Conservatoire Nationale de France 

and the Universidad Autonoma de 

Bucaramanga (Colombia). 

TheJazzCruise.com 

888.852.9987 (US + CANADA) 

800.852.99872 (INT’L) 

SPECIAL PRICING 

when you book both cruises! 

TheContemporaryJazzCruise.com 

844.768.5157 (US + CANADA) 

800.852.99872 (INT’L) 


Jazz Jam Hosted By 

Lisa Kelly & The JB Scott Quintet 

In the jazz heritage tradition, 

Lisa Kelly’s signature sound 

and style have been influenced 

by jazz instrumentalists, notable 

vocalists like Ella, Sassy, Peggy 

Lee, and McCrae, and the music 

of her time. She conveys a 

heart-felt depth of understanding 

in the words she sings with an 

intimate delivery of lyric, a horn- 

like approach to improvisation 

and a rock solid ‘in-the-pocket’ 

swing feel that has made her a 

favorite vocal musician among 

the instrumentalists. Initially 

developing her repertoire and 

stylistic interpretation the ‘oldschool’ 

way through years of 

listening to jazz recordings and 

‘live’ performances, Lisa just 

completed her formal studies 

in jazz earning her Masters of 

Music Degree at the University of 

North Florida, while maintaining 

a steady national performance 

schedule. She has performed 

for numerous national to 

international festivals, clubs and 

jazz societies, as a guest solo 

artist and co-leader of several 

small groups and big bands 

with her husband, renowned 

trumpeter, JB Scott. 

UNF Jazz Ensemble 

The University of North Florida 

Jazz Ensemble 1 is the flagship 

ensemble of the prestigious 

University of North Florida Jazz 

Studies Program. Thanks to 

the visionary leadership of Rich 

Matteson in 1986, UNF’s JE 1 

has enjoyed the reputation of 

being one of the finest collegiate 

jazz ensembles worldwide. Jazz 

Ensemble 1 has won numerous 

group and individual awards and 

has been invited to perform at 

prestigious jazz festivals in both 

the U.S. and in Europe. Jazz 

Ensemble 1 is the 2015 Downbeat 

award-winning undergraduate 

jazz ensemble. The ensemble also 

has been invited to perform at 

International Association of Jazz 

Educators Conferences in Atlanta, 

Boston, Miami, and New Orleans, 

the prestigious Midwest Band and 

Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, the 

Suncoast Jazz Festival in Tampa, the 

Savannah Jazz Festival, the Mobile 

Jazz Festival, and annually at the 

Jacksonville Jazz Festival. A special 

component of the UNF Jazz Studies 

Program is the Great American 

Jazz Series, which regularly brings 

in stellar jazz artists as residents. 

This series, along with other 

opportunities, has enabled Jazz 

Ensemble 1 to perform in concert 

with more than 100 esteemed artists. 

Photo by Renee Parenteau 

Spice 

andPo’ Boys 

the 

Spice and the Po Boys 

deliver an original mix of 

R&B, Blues-Rock and Pop tunes 

that are as natural and authentic as 

an old vinyl LP. Brittany Wescott, 

a.k.a. Spice, whose finely-tuned 

voice can turn a note inside out, 

brings an “an unforced emotional 

intensity” that is perfect for these 

well-crafted tunes about love’s 

redemptive and dark sides as 

well as the struggle to claim one’s 

place in the world. Appropriate 

themes for a singer whose gospel 

roots constantly crack through the 

surface of these songs. Founder 

and songwriter, Mike Bernos 

discovered Wescott at a rehearsal 

studio in Jacksonville and the two 

teamed up with bassist Rodrick 

McGriff, drummer Robbie Knopf, 

keyboardist Javian Francis, and 

trumpeter Max Bednarchik to 

create one of Jacksonville’s more 

popular groups. The band is 

signed to the U.K.-based Aardvark 

Record label and is set to play 

dates in Europe next year. It’s 

Nine Lives Down CD as well as its 

recently released EP, Soul To Soul, 

can be found on all digital outlets. 

THE MUSIC OF YOUR LIFE... 



Piloting Jacksonville’s Economic Engine; 

Generating $3 Billion Annually. 

flyjacksonville.com

CHURCH 

Map is not drawn to scale. Locations subject to change. 

NORTH 

s 

JULIA JULIA 

Federal 

Courthouse 

DUVAL 

MONROE 

ADAMS 

FORSYTH 

2 

City Hall at 

St. James 

BAY 

Hemming 

Park 

8 

Visit Jacksonville 

4 

3 

2 

1 

LAURA 

MOCA 


5 6 

Main Library 

MAIN 

Main Street 

Park 

1 

8 

OCEAN 

JAZZ 

AFTER 

DARK 

4 

The Florida 

Theatre 

NEWNAN 

DUVAL 

MONROE 

ADAMS 

Duval County 

Tax Collector 

FORSYTH 

BAY 

1 

SWINGIN’ STAGE 

Main St. and Adams St. 

2 3 

GROOVIN’ STAGE 

Hemming Park 

Parking 

Skyway Station & Route 

Water Taxi Stop 

Omni Sacred Jazz Brunch 

Presented by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. 

BREEZIN’ STAGE 

Presented by Moe’s 

Jacksonville Landing 

4 

FLORIDA THEATRE 

Forsyth St. 

HOGAN 

LAURA 

MAIN 

JAX 

Chamber 

OCEAN 

Old 

Courthouse 

Hotel 

VIP 

Jazz Store/Band Merchandise 

Omni Hotel Jacksonville 

7 

INDEPENDENT 

ATM 

Beverages 

Saturday Only 

WATER 


Hyatt Regency 


Riverfront 

Food Vendors 

Guest Services 

Presented By UF Health 

Times-Union Center for 

the Performing Arts 

3 

COASTLINE 

Restrooms 

Northbank Riverwalk 

Main Street Bridge 

ST. JOHNS RIVER 

Closed Streets 


JAZZ CLINIC 

SATURDAY, MAY 28 

presented by Buffet Crampon 

with Mark Pender 

and Eric Carter 

Further your jazz education 

and refine your chops at this 

FREE masters class clinic with 

Mark Pender presented by 

Buffet Crampon and Eric Carter. 

Aspiring and accomplished jazz 

musicians of all ages are invited 

to learn and grow their skills in 

an intimate setting at none other 

than Jacksonville’s historic Ritz 

Theatre and Museum. 

Participants are strongly 

10AM – NOON 

FREE 

Ritz Theatre and Museum 

encouraged to bring their own 

instruments. Parents with children 

attending the clinic are welcome 

to enjoy the museum’s amenities 

while they wait. 


Jon Batiste 

& Stay Human 

went on to study at the Juilliard 

School and formed his band, 

Stay Human, soon after. Now 

he balances a demanding 

international performance 

schedule—which 

often 

The New Orleans-bred, New 

York-based musician, educator 

and humanitarian is somewhat of 

an enigma thanks to his diverse 

mix of influences. Born into a long 

lineage of Louisiana musicians, 

Batiste grew up playing percussion 

in his family’s band before 

switching to piano when he 

was 11 years old. He 

includes his signature, impromptu 

‘love riot’ street parades—with his 

role as Artistic Director At Large 

of the National Jazz Museum in 

Harlem, and occasional acting 

gigs, like 

playing himself on the HBO 

series Treme or his most 

recent role in director 

Spike Lee’s Red Hook 

Summer. 

Christian 

Scott 

aTunde Adjuah 

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah is a two-time Edison 

Award-winning and GRAMMY Award nominated 

trumpeter, composer, producer and music executive. Christian 

is the nephew of jazz innovator and legendary sax man, 

Donald Harrison, Jr. He began his musical tutelage 

under the direction of his uncle at the age of 

thirteen. After graduating from the New Orleans 

Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) in 2001, 

Christian received a full scholarship to Berklee 

College of Music, where he earned a degree 

thirty months later. Christian’s GRAMMY 

nominated international recording debut, 

Rewind That was called “arguably the 

most remarkable premiere the genre has 

seen in the last decade” by Billboard 

Magazine, earning Christian two 

prominent features on their cover and 

inclusion in their list of “Ones to Watch 

in 2006.” Since 2006, Christian has 

worked with McCoy Tyner, Prince, 

Marcus Miller, Eddie Palmieri, Mos Def 

(Yasin Bey), Thom Yorke and Solange Knowles, 

among other notable talents. 


Warren Wolf 

and the Wolfpack 

Somi 

Warren Wolf is a multi-instrumentalist from 

Baltimore, Maryland. From the young age 

of three years old, Warren has been trained on the 

vibraphone/marimba, drums, and piano. Under the 

guidance of his father Warren Wolf Sr., Warren has 

a deep background in all genres of music. Warren 

has several recordings as a leader. Warren’s first 

two records are on the M&I label which is based 

in Japan. The first record is titled Incredible Jazz 

Vibes which features Mulgrew Miller on Piano, 

Vicente Archer on Bass and Kendrick Scott on 

Drums. The second record is titled Black Wolf. That 

record features Mulgrew Miller on Piano, Rodney 

Whitaker on Bass and Jeff “Tain” Watts on Drums. 

Warren also has a self-produced CD which is 

titled RAW. Musicians that Warren has 

played with or recorded with include 

Wynton Marsalis, Jeremy Pelt, 

Nicholas Payton, Tim Warfield, 

Adonis Rose, Aaron Goldberg, 

Esperanza Spaulding and 

many others. 

A few years ago, acclaimed 

East African vocalist & 

songwriter Somi decided to move 

from New York City to Lagos, 

Nigeria for 18 months in search 

of new inspiration. The result: a 

new album she calls The Lagos 

Music Salon released in August 

2014 as her major label debut on 

Sony Music/Okeh - landing at #1 

on US Jazz charts. Born in Illinois 

to immigrants from Rwanda and 

Uganda, the African and Jazz 

legacies are always crucial to 

her sound. Often referred to as 

a modern-day Miriam Makeba, 

JazzTimes magazine describes 

her live performance as “the 

earthy gutsiness of Nina Simone 

blended with the vocal beauty of 

Dianne Reeves,” while Billboard 

exclaims that she’s “all elegance 

and awe…utterly captivating.” 

As her career has taken off, 

Somi’s talents have been called 

upon for collaborations and live 

performances alongside a diverse 

cast of artists including Mos Def, 

Baaba Maal, John Legend, Billy 

Childs, Paul Simon, Danilo Perez, 

Idan Raichel, Jennifer Hudson 

and many more. 



YELLOWJACKETS 

Throughout their storied 35- 

year history, the Yellowjackets 

have recorded 22 albums, 

received 17 GRAMMY 

nominations – won two – 

performed countless sold-out 

tours, and enjoyed worldwide 

critical acclaim and commercial 

success. The Yellowjackets 

formed in the late 1970’s as the 

backup band for guitarist Robben 

Ford. They recorded their first 

album together in 1980. Shortly 

after that recording, however, 

Ford decided to part ways and 

go in a different musical direction. 

As a result, the modern day 

Yellowjackets were formed—a 

trio with Russell Ferrante, Jimmy 

Haslip and Ricky Lawson. Since 

then, and with the addition of 

Bob Mintzer, the Yellowjackets 

have gained and maintained 

prominence as one of jazz’s most 

influential and loved groups. Over 

the years the band has undergone 

numerous lineup changes. Never 

failing to rise to the inevitable 

challenges of adjustment, the 

Yellowjackets —Russell Ferrante, 

William Kennedy, Bob Mintzer— 

have maintained an extraordinarily 

high quality of musicianship that 

is the rival of many but a surprise 

to no one who knows and 

appreciates the band and their 

music. The most recent addition 

to the band adds Australian bass 

player Dane Alderson in to the 

mix. With his exceptional 

rhythmic sensibility and natural 

disposition toward groove, Dane 

brings a new energy to the band 

and adds a youthful approach 

to the music. The Yellowjackets 

newest album Coherence will 

be released on Mack Avenue 

Records in April 2016. 

KEN FORD 

A wonder to behold on stage, 

Ken’s evocative playing and 

passion for strings on the electric 

violin have enthralled fans of 

all ages, as well as peers from 

diverse genres, from jazz to 

blues, R&B to hip-hop and more. 

With a soul-stirring style that 

highlights all the voices of the 

violin, from sensuous and genteel 

to dramatic and muscular, Ken’s 

talents have brought him on stage 

and into the recording studio 

with a range of superstar artists 

including Bruno Mars, Jill Scott, 

Wyclef Jean, Chaka Khan, Ledisi, 

Brian Culbertson, the late Barry 

White, Erykah Badu and more. 

Additionally, Ken had the pleasure 

and honor to play for our beloved 

First Lady of the United States of 

America, Michelle Obama! 

Since his first taste of music 

and captivating audiences as a 

kid, Ken’s love of music continues 

and he is sharing that love 

through the Ken Ford Foundation. 

Teaching workshops to kids from 

ages 4 to 18, Ken opens their 

world to music, shows them how 

to embrace their unique talents, 

and encourages keeping music 

education in the schools. “Once 

music opens their world, you 

cannot close it,” he says. “Living 

in the present moment” as a 

constant frame of mind, Ken’s 

steadfast passion for violin and 

popular music has brought him 

from childhood to where he is 

today, indulging his passion for 

violin full-time before worldwide 

audiences, firing up everyone 

from kids to seniors to change 

their state of mind about the 

violin, and embrace the power 

of music! 


Charenée Wade 

First Runner-Up in the 2010 

Thelonious Monk International 

Vocal Competition, Charenee 

Wade is a notable singer, 

composer, arranger and educator 

who received her degree from 

the Manhattan School of Music. 

Her accolades include Betty 

Carter’s Jazz Ahead Program 

where she performed her original 

music at the Kennedy Center 

in Washington, DC; being one 

of the talented four chosen for 

the Dianne Reeves Young Artist 

Workshop at Carnegie Hall; 1st 

Runner-Up in the Jazzmobile 

Vocal Competition; and being 

selected for the JAS Academy 

Summer Sessions, 2007-09, 

directed by Christian McBride. 

Charenee is currently a professor 

at the Aaron Copland School of 

Music, City College, and with the 

Jazzmobile Workshop program. 

She teaches various workshops 

and clinics and was an esteemed 

judge for the 2010 Jazzmobile 

Vocal Competition, alongside 

Dr. Billy Taylor and Grady Tate. 

Charenee performs internationally 

and graces the stages of the Jazz 

Gallery, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 

Dizzy Coca Cola’s, the legendary 

Smalls and the Zinc Bar in NYC. 

Her debut CD, Love Walked In 

was released in July 2010. 

LIZZ WRIGHT 

Lizz Wright has been the 

recipient of nonstop critical 

acclaim and ever-increasing 

audiences ever since her Verve 

debut. Like so many vocal greats, 

Lizz began her singing in the 

church. For her it was a small 

church in Hahira, Georgia where 

her father served as musical 

director and where she soaked up 

the sounds of songs of faith. She 

was also surrounded by varied 

types of secular music at home 

especially jazz and soul. Wright 

moved to Atlanta in the late 90s to 

attend Georgia State University and 

began singing classical repertoire 

under Dr. Dwight Coleman. She 

also began singing jazz, both solo 

and as part of the popular local 

group In The Spirit. She made a 

name for herself in other parts 

of the country in 2002 as part of 

a touring concert tribute to Billie 

Holiday, where her poised, emotive 

performance stole the show. 

Over her four albums, Lizz 

Wright has demonstrated that 

she is a top notch songwriter 

and also has the interpretive skills 

to become a premier popular 

song stylist. She is a complete 

artist who has both talent and 

musical instincts well beyond 

her young age, and one whom I 

hope will continue to stretch her 

boundaries in the years to come. 

I believe she will and that twenty 

years from now we will be talking 

about Lizz Wright as one of the 

great popular singers of her 

generation. 


Generation 

nExt 

exploration 

With successful outings at 

premiere festivals including 

Berks, Penn’s Landing, Seabreeze, 

Capital Jazz, Newport Beach, 

Norfolk and Catalina Island 

Jazztrax, plus a Billboard Top 10 

hit single ‘Let It Ride’ in 2014, 

Generation neXt featuring Nicholas 

Cole, Lin Rountree & Lebron 

continues to usher in a new 

dimension of smooth jazz/R&B 

grooves with style and flair. 

Nicholas Cole displays the 

technical proficiency and artistic 

vision of those twice his age. 

Cole’s 3rd release Night Sessions 

is the follow up to last year’s 

#1 Billboard hit release Endless 

Possibilities. Featuring guest 

appearances from label mate 

Julian Vaughn and saxman 

Steve Cole, Night Sessions is an 

into all that makes 

Cole tick, artfully colored with 

the flavors and styles that have 

influenced his sound. Nicholas has 

become an in-demand producer 

and collaborator, working with 

Ben Tankard, Brian Simpson, Nick 

Colionne, Willie Bradley and Julian 

Vaughn among others. 

A leader in Soul-jazz and 

R&B, Detroit trumpet master Lin 

Rountree returns with his 5th studio 

CD Soulfunky. This follow up to 

2013’s Serendipitous takes you on 

a journey that will have your head 

boppin’ and body rockin’. The 

release features the hit ‘Amplified’ 

and appearances by Julian Vaughn, 

Nils, Mike Phillips, Lebron and 

Nate Harasim. With 10 Billboard 

chart-topping singles, Lin was 

showcased in the 2012 Whitney 

Houston film, Sparkle, and has 

performed with icons including the 

late George Duke, Marcus Miller, 

Tim Bowman and Kem. 

Phoenix saxophonist Lebron’s 

debut record, Shades, took the 

world by storm in 2013. In a sea of 

sax players, it stood out as one of 

the top releases of the year, yielding 

3 top 10 Billboard radio singles. 

‘Groove City’ featured Paul Brown’s 

impeccable guitar work, peaked in 

the top 3 and was named in the top 

20 Contemporary Jazz songs of the 

year by Billboard Magazine. Citing 

powerhouse talents including 

Gerald Albright, Nelson Rangell, 

Phil Perry, Grover Washington, Jr. 

and Brian McKnight, all of whom 

influenced his phrasing, expression 

and solos, Lebron’s says “it’s not 

just about playing a bunch of notes 

as fast I can, it’s about the sound.” 

Lebron’s latest release, New Era, 

features the hit ‘Red Hook’. 

Combining for 15 charttopping 

singles, these world 

class musicians and rising stars 

from Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm Records/ 

Cutmore Entertainment are at the 

cutting edge of contemporary jazz 

with R&B/soul influences. 

Mark Pender 

preseted 

Mark Pender grew up in an 

environment rich in American 

roots music and enjoyed cutting 

his teeth with many locally and 

internationally known bands 

before embarking on a journey 

to fulfilling his musical passions. 

He relocated to New York touring 

with Jazz-Soul icon Charles 

Earland and as a result teamed 

up with many great bands and 

artists including Southside 

Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, 

Diana Ross, David Bowie, Power 

Station, They Might be Giants, 

Jon Bon Jovi, Ricky Martin, Joe 

Cocker, Robert Cray, Little Steven 

and the Disciples of Soul, and 

Bruce Springsteen with whom he 

also performed in the 2009 Super 

Bowl half time show. In 1993, 

Mark began a long relationship 

as a member of the house band 

for Conan O’Brien where he has 

enjoyed 20+ years performing on 

Late Night, the Tonight Show and 

by 

Buffet Crampon 

now Conan on TBS. Currently 

residing in the Los Angeles, Mark 

continues to record and make 

appearances now in over 3000 

live television performances 

and over 12 gold and platinum 

recordings. 


The Chris Thomas Band 

A native of Chicago and longtime 

resident of Jacksonville, 

Florida, vocalist Chris Thomas 

has performed with various bands 

within Florida for the past 14 

years. In June of 2014, he formed 

The Chris Thomas Band in order 

to bring the highest level of quality 

and showmanship to his fans 

and audiences. A professionally 

trained and competitive dancer, 

he combines dance, vocals, 

and the best musicians in north 

Florida to deliver an unforgettable 

performance. Chris Thomas has 

the style and swagger of Sinatra 

and the performance excitement of 

James Brown and Bruno Mars. The 

Chris Thomas Band specializes in 

the performance of vintage Sinatra 

and soulful Motown, as well as 

current popular songs custom 

arranged for big band by its own 

band members. 

Douglas Anderson 

JAZZ ENSEMBLE I 

The Douglas Anderson School 

of the Arts jazz program began 

at the opening of the school in 

1984-85. Jazz Ensemble I is the 

top performing jazz group at the 

school and has been recognized 

as one of the top performing jazz 

ensembles in the United States. 

The group has performed for a 

variety of civic events, governor 

inaugurations; local, national 

and international jazz festivals 

including the Jacksonville 

Jazz Festival, the Mid-West 

International Band and Orchestra 

Conference in Chicago and 

various jazz festivals in France 

and Switzerland. Directed by Ace 

Martin, the Douglas Anderson 

Jazz Ensemble I has been 

recognized in various Downbeat 

Magazine Student Awards for the 

Most Outstanding High School 

Performing Arts Big Band as well 

as individual students from the 

band have received Downbeat 

Magazine Student Awards. The 

group was also featured as 

part of the acclaimed 2007 film 

documentary by Bruce Broder 

Film called CHOPS. The film is 

about Jazz Ensemble I quest to 

winning Essentially Ellington. The 

film has been an inspirational film 

watched by hundreds of groups 

to inspire them in their quest for 

national jazz competitions. 

Terry “Doc” Handy 

Born and raised in Jacksonville, 

Florida, Doc credits his older 

brother’s love for the piano 

for driving him to become a 

musician. Doc has played 

percussion for over 30 years 

over a diverse array of genres 

including Rhythm & Blues, 

Jazz, and Latin Jazz. Doc has 

performed globally in Europe, 

Korea, and Panama. Doc 

has also been selected as the 

opening performance for many 

greats including James Brown, 

Aaran Neville, Macy Gray, Kool 

and the Gang, Kirk Whalum, 

Brian Culbertson, and EL Gran 

Combo. Doc is most inspired by 

percussionists Ralph McDonald, 

Giovanni Hidalgo, and Bill 

Summers. Doc effortlessly, yet 

surgically infuses the cultural 

power of the African conga 

drum beats to drive an ancestral 

emotion of unity and healing that 

tells a story. 

October 29, 2016 

Tradition. Rivalry. Excellence. 

FLGA.org FloridaGeorgia @FLvsGA #UFvsUGA 



EXPERIENCES 

ARE THE MOST 

VALUABLE CURRENCY. 

JU Faculty 

ENSEMBLE 

The members of the Jazz Faculty at 

Jacksonville University base their 

collective experience and instruction 

on the chamber jazz approach and the 

origins of the jazz language, which mirrors 

the music degree program offerings at 

JU Music. This ensemble of world-class 

performers is represented by John Ricci 

on tenor saxophone, Gary Starling on 

guitar, Scott Giddens on piano, Stanley 

Piper on bass, and guest artist Ben Adkins 

on drums. 

JOIN US FOR THE 2016 

JACKSONVILLE JAZZ FESTIVAL 

Steps from the Riverwalk, the 

Omni Jacksonville Hotel pairs Southern 

hospitality with contemporary luxury. 

OMNI SACRED JAZZ BRUNCH 

FEATURING MUSIC BY 

NOEL FRIEDLINE QUINTET 

Sunday, May 29, 2016 • 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 

$35 per person • Purchase online at 

OmniJazzBrunch.Eventbrite.com 

WIN A 

2 NIGHT 

STAY 

Purchase a Omni Sacred Jazz 

Brunch ticket to be entered for a 

chance to win a two-night stay and 

brunch for two at Jazz Fest 2017. 

OMNIHOTELS.COM/JACKSONVILLE 

904-355-6664 

The Omni 

Sacred Jazz 

SUNDAY, MAY 29, 2016 

11am ‐ 2pm • $34.95 / person 

Brunch 

Do you hear that? Can you smell that?! The Omni Sacred Jazz 

Brunch returns for 2016 more delicious than ever! 

Lift your spirits and dine on a buffet of gourmet cuisine prepared by the 

expert chefs of the Omni Jacksonville Hotel as renowned jazz artists, the Noel 

Freidline Quartet with Maria Howell serenade you with their unique blend of 

jazz and traditional gospel music. There is truly no better way to bid farewell 

to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival than this perfect sensory experience. 

NOEL FREIDLINE 

A pianist, vocalist, writer and 

arranger, Noel Freidline has been 

the leader of his own group, the 

Noel Freidline Quintet, since 1991 

and has opened for such diverse 

artists as Tony Bennett, saxophonist 

David Sanborn, Kenny G, Rosemary 

Clooney, pianist Dave Brubeck, 

vocalist Layla Hathaway, jazz 

legend Roy Ayers, and vocalist 

Jennifer Holliday. In addition to 

his work with the NFQ, Freidline 

performs regularly with the Charlotte 

Symphony and tours Broadway 

shows such as “Jersey Boys,” 

“Bring It On,” and “Dream Girls. 

Noel was named Best Jazz 

Musician by Charlotte Magazine in 

2006 and in 2009 and was named 

“Best Musical Director” by the 

Metrolina Theatre Association of 

the Carolinas. A dilettante of pop 

culture, Noel has become a popular 

lecturer for theatres and museums, 

creating and presenting multi-media 

presentations on everything from 

Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons 

to Mel Brooks. As a composer 

and arranger, Noel has written and 

recorded music for ESPN, ABC 

and the Walt Disney Company, 

with his most recent work being 

featured on Monday Night Football, 

the NBA All-Star Game, and 

SportCenter. In March 2012, Noel 

completed an artist-in-residency 

program as a teaching artist with 

the education department of the 

Charlotte Symphony, composing 

and conducting several pieces for 

the Northwest School of the Arts 

(Charlotte, NC) orchestra and band. 

MARIA HOWELL 

Although acting was a natural 

artistic segue, singing and 

entertaining are skills that emanated 

from Maria Howell as far back as 

she can remember. She recollects 

glaring at her six-year-old image 

in the mirror and knowing at that 

moment, her destiny was clear. The 

destiny became a reality as she 

wowed audiences as the opening 

act for the legendary Ray Charles, 

and as she shared the stage with 

Earth Wind and Fire’s point man 

Phillip Bailey. Performing in front of 

the likes of Nancy Wilson, Marvin 

Hamlisch, Will Downing, and George 

Benson, became her comfort zone. 

Anyone who swings with the Cab 

Calloway Orchestra, croons with 

Baby Face and rearranges the scale 

with Jeffrey Osborne, cannot not 

be boxed into one musical art form. 

Like Howell, her music is a collective 

of sultry, soulful, smooth tones. She 

not only combines sounds such as 

R&B with jazzy punctuations, she 

evokes an international flavor into 

her flambé of recordings. 



Nathan 

It has been said that music 

feeds the soul, but KEM’s 

journey is equally, if not more 

inspirational. R&B Singer/ 

Songwriter/Producer KEM’s love 

of music began as a child. Music 

saw him through the darkest 

moments in his life, took him to 

the top of the industry’s record 

charts, and earned him a record 

deal with Universal Motown 

Records. A self-taught musician, 

KEM was born in Nashville and 

raised in Detroit, the birthplace 

of Motown Records. In March 

of 2002, KEM independently 

released his first CD, Kemistry 

(Album I) and sold more than 

10,000 CD’s before piquing the 

interest of Universal Motown. 

His first album grabbed the 

attention of a multi-generational/ 

multi-ethnic/cross-gender 

audience—to the tune of over 

500,000 CD’s sold. The first 

single on Kemistry, “Love Calls,” 

garnered over 50,000 spins on 

Urban Adult Radio stations (UAC) 

which positioned it as the 2nd 

most played record in 2003 and 

the most played record of 2004. 

KEM’s popularity continued as 

he debuted at #5 on the Pop 

Albums charts. His consecutive 

four week #1 at Urban AC streak 

at urban radio made him one of 

the highest charted artists of the 

year. The hit single, “I Can’t Stop 

Loving You” was designated as 

Radio & Records’ and Billboard’s 

#1 Adult R&B Record of 2005. 

He was also named Radio & 

Records’ #2 R&B Artist for 2005. 

Motown re-released the CD as 

a dual disc with a DVD featuring 

KEM’s video and second hit 

single, “Find Your Way (Back in 

My Life).” He also received two 

NAACP Image Award nominations 

for Outstanding Male Artist and 

Outstanding Song, “I Can’t Stop 

Loving You.” His third studio 

album, Intimacy, was released 

on August 17, 2010 to critical 

acclaim. Intimacy debuted on 

Billboard’s Top 200 list at #2 

in the country, only behind 

Eminem’s Recovery album. The 

first single from Intimacy, “Why 

Would You Stay” climbed to the 

#1 position on Urban AC Radio 

Charts, where it stayed for two 

straight weeks. 

Photo by Kharen Hill 

Nathan East is a GRAMMY 

nominated Jazz, R&B and 

Rock bassist. Credited with over 

2,000 recordings, he is considered 

one of the most recorded bass 

players in the history of music. 

East is best known for his 

performances with Eric Clapton, 

George Harrison, Quincy Jones & 

Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Anita 

Baker, Whitney Houston, Barbara 

Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Herbie 

Hancock, Al Jarreau, Beyoncé, 

Toto and Daft Punk’s multi 

GRAMMY Award-winning Random 

Access Memories with Nathan’s 

bass line driving the worldwide 

hit song “Get Lucky.” East also 

composed the music for the #1 hit 

song “Easy Lover” for Phil Collins 

and Philip Bailey. He is a founding 

member of contemporary jazz 

super group Fourplay with Bob 

James, Lee Ritenour/Larry Carlton/ 

Chuck Loeb & Harvey Mason. In 

2014, he released his first ever 

EAST 

debut album, Nathan East, on the 

Yamaha Entertainment Group label 

which went to #1 on the Billboard 

Jazz Charts and won a GRAMMY 

nomination for Best Contemporary 

Instrumental Album. His album 

features guest appearances by 

Michael McDonald, Sara Bareilles, 

Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, 

Kazumasa Oda, Bob James, 

Chuck Loeb, Ray Parker, Jr., David 

Paich, and his 13-year-old son 

Noah East. 


John 

Lumpkin 

and The Covenant 

John Lumpkin II is a producer, 

arranger, and artist working in 

the Jazz, R&B and Gospel 

scene. He obtained a Bachelor’s 

Degree in Jazz Studies from 

the University of North Florida 

under the direction of Danny 

Gottlieb and Master’s Degree from 

Florida State University under 

the leadership of Leon Anderson. 

John grew up in the pentecostal 

church and still plans to exercise 

his gifts there, as well as other 

national venues. However, he says 

“The church is the root of my zeal 

for music and forever shall be”. 

Throughout his career John 

has shared the stage with greats 

such as Delfeayo Marsalis, Wycliff 

Gordon, Marcus Roberts, Arturo 

Sandoval, Curtis Fuller, Marcus 

Printup, Houston Person, Rufus 

Reid, Ben Tucker, James Moody, 

Nathan Davis, and David Baker. 

From serving on staff at the 

University of North Florida and 

Douglas Anderson School of the 

Arts, he is also the founder of the 

Jazz Discovery Series at The Ritz 

Theatre in Jacksonville, FL. His 

level of expectancy drives him to 

see many other things emerging 

from his gift of music to the world. 

In 2015, John Lumpkin along 

with the talents of Joshua Bowlus, 

Daniel Dickinson, Stan Piper, and 

Tori L. Peoples, started the group 

The Covenant. The Covenant 

has been devoted not only to 

standards, but also to sacred 

works. The Covenant is a group 

that has songs that carry the 

message of the Gospel through 

the struggles of humanity. From 

“Bye, Bye, Blackbird” to “Just 

A Closer Walk With Thee” the 

covenant carries a pursuance and 

story through every note. 

Cyrille 

Cyrille Aimée was primarily 

raised in France by a French 

father and Dominican mother. As 

a curious child in Samois-sur- 

Seine, she would sneak out of her 

bedroom window to wander into 

the nearby gypsy encampments 

filled with those attending the 

annual Django Reinhardt Festival. 

She quickly fell in love with gypsy 

music and way of life. Years later 

she would sing on street corners 

with friends while traveling across 

Europe. While in the midst of one 

such odyssey, she found herself 

Aimée 

with Brazilian guitarist Diego 

at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Figueiredo. Aimée’s talents also 

where she won first prize in the recently caught the attention 

vocal competition. When Aimée of Stephen Sondheim, who 

auditioned for the Star Academy cast her in an Encores Special 

(a kind of French American Idol), Presentation at New York City’s 

she became a finalist but walked City Center in November 2013. 

away from the competition when The New York Times referred 

she was told she would have to to Aimée’s major label debut in 

sing preselected songs. She now August 2014, as “a bravura turn, 

happily tours the world with her presented with a smile.” 

band as well as in a duo setting 

©2016 Excelsior Wine Company, Old Brookville, NY 

Anything 

BUT BASIC. 

www.lbdwines.com 

Accessorize Responsibly 



Dizzy Gillespie 

Afro-Cuban 

Experience 

Afro Cuban Experience, a 6-8 

piece ensemble led by Dizzy 

Gillespie’s long-term bassist 

John Lee, showcase the unique 

rhythms and well-loved melodies 

(such as “Manteca” and “Tin Tin 

Deo”) of Gillespie’s oeuvre of 

Cu-Bop which he developed with 

Chano Pozo in the 40s and 50s. 

Their repertoire also explores the 

broader world of Latin-American 

music—the tunes that Dizzy 

would have been playing today. 

The musicians are drawn from the 

high-calibre pool of New Yorkbased 

talent that frequent the 

Dizzy Gillespie Big Band and All 

Star groups, such as trumpeter 

Freddie Hendrix, saxophonist 

Sharel Cassity, Brazilian pianist 

and vocalist Abelita Mateus, 

drummer Tommy Campbell and 

percussionist Roger Squitero. 

They perform with energy, verve, 

and style, putting their own fresh 

stamp on a well-known genre. 

Jamison 

ROSS 

Jamison’s passion for music was realized 

while growing up in his grandfather’s church, 

where he learned how to present music with 

honest intent. A native of Jacksonville, FL, Jamison 

began his study of Jazz as a high school student at 

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Jamison gained 

worldwide acclaim as a featured musician in the Tribeca 

Film Festival winning documentary CHOPS; a film that 

followed the school’s jazz ensemble as they prepare and 

perform in the renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially 

Ellington Festival competition. Ross went on to further his education 

at the University of New Orleans where he earned a Master of Music 

degree. Jamison won the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Competition 

for drums in 2012, the most prestigious award for jazz artists. In 2015, the 

drummer earned his first GRAMMY nomination for his self-titled, debut project 

Jamison in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Album. Jamison has gained acclaim 

within the genre through his collaboration with Wes Anderson, Jon Batiste, 

Henry Butler, Billy Childs, Dr. John, Jimmy Heath, Ramsey Lewis, Ellis Marsalis, 

Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Marcus Roberts, Patrice Rushen, Cecile 

McLorin Salvant and Snarky Puppy. Jamison’s artistry, interpreted through his 

profound knowledge of jazz, is an honest and organic expression of humanity. 

It is true to him, it is Jamison. 


Eric Carter 

and Company 

It was never a question to 

the parents of Eric Carter 

what he was born to do. At age 2, 

Eric started playing the guitar and 

at the age of 13 he played in his 

first concert. History has been in 

the making ever since. Eric Carter, 

the lead artist of Eric Carter and 

Company, attended Bethune- 

Cookman University in Daytona 

Beach, where he studied religion 

and physiology. He had several 

bands while pursuing his degree, 

including Strictly Business. While 

at Bethune-Cookman, he also 

played in numerous other bands. 

Since that time, he has also had 

the opportunity to grace the 

stage with artists, like Al Green, 

George Benson, Paul Jackson 

Junior, and many others. 

Bobby 

Lee Rodgers 

Jazz Trio 

Whether rocking out to his 

own compositions in the jazz 

or jamband scenes or presenting 

his unique interpretations of 

musical greats such as Miles 

Davis, John Coltrane or Wes 

Montgomery, guitarist Bobby 

Lee Rodgers is staking out a 

legendary path with fans and 

critics alike. His unique sound and 

stylings are garnering a growing 

popularity wherever he performs. 

The Bobby Lee Rodgers Jazz 

Trio takes one back to the 

Golden Decade when jazz was 

the soul of the city. Along with 

playing his jazz originals, during 

performances he captures the 

sounds of the great artists of 

our time like Miles Davis, John 

Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and 

Wes Montgomery. He visits their 

compositions by putting his 

original vocabulary and sound 

into the harmonic structure 

of the songs. Bobby brings a 

unique sound to his performance 

because he plays through a 

combination of Leslie cabinet 

and vintage guitar amp which 

gives him the beautiful sound of 

an organ and guitar together. A 

stellar songwriter, vocalist and 

guitarist he fuses rock, funk, jazz 

and blues into a magical musical 

tapestry. He has performed with 

such great artists as Vassar 

Clements, Warren Haynes, 

Widespread Panic, George Porter 

Jr. and the list goes on and on. 

His new CD, BLR was just release 

to rave reviews. 

Pierre 

& Company 

JaxSeaAndSky.net 

Pierre & Company have 

earned a reputation for 

bringing heart and soul to every 

single event. They have mastered 

the art of moving an audience 

– whether by Pierre’s amazing 

sax prowess, or by creating 

the perfect musical interlude to 

mellow the mood, or even by 

the electricity experienced when 

virtuosic musicians unleash on 

a crowd of people who want 

nothing more than to dance 

all night. With more than half 

a century of combined playing 

experience, the band is made 

up of the finest musicians in 

the country. Individually, each 

member holds his own as a 

trained musician in his own right. 

These are true artists, players 

who have backed some of the 

biggest acts in the world. 



GARY STARLING 

Gary Starling Group feat. Russell George 

Gary Starling has been 

teaching and playing jazz in 

the Jacksonville area for decades. 

He has performed with Eddie 

Harris, Nat Adderley, Joshua 

Breakstone, Jim Snidero and 

more. He was hired by Fran Kinne 

at Jacksonville University in the 

early 1980’s and is currently Artist 

in Residence of Guitar. His early 

studies include Georgia State 

University, Dick Grove Music 

Workshop/Los Angeles and 

personal lessons and encounters 

with Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, 

Barney Kessel and other jazz 

greats. In 2012, Gary was honored 

with induction into the Jacksonville 

Jazz Festival Hall of Fame. 

Russell George retired to 

St. Augustine from New York City 

a few years ago. His illustrious 

career includes decades of 

recordings as a first call bassist 

with everyone from Frank Sinatra 

and Sarah Vaughn, to James 

Brown, Paul Simon and hundreds 

more. He played with Dizzy 

Gillespie, Ben Webster, Marion 

McPartland, Ross Tompkins and 

many others. Several years ago, he 

discovered Gary Starling’s group 

at their long-running Thursday 

night gig at Table 1 in Ponte Vedra. 

He has been a regular and beloved 

fixture there, since. 

Jimmy 

BEATS 

Jimmy Beats was born in San 

Juan to a native Puerto Rican 

family and grew up in Orlando, 

Florida. Beats became interested 

in becoming a musician at a very 

young age and began guitar 

lessons at age 12. Jimmy Beats 

and several of his now long-time 

neighborhood friends played 

instruments and formed a garage 

band performing at many late night 

venues in Orlando. Beats eventually 

transitioned from performer to 

engineer, producer and songwriter. 

He now performs his own original 

songs as well as writes, produces 

and engineers his and others 

music. The Jimmy Beats sound is 

most unique, his sound can range 

from a jazzy funk with reggae 

riddims to a smooth and alluring 

lovers rock with reggae riddims. 

Beats music has been described 

as some the most soulful and 

mystical music you could hope to 

bless your ears upon. 


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Visit the 

AARP Block Party 

at the Jacksonville 

Jazz Festival 

Whether you have been performing 

all your life or you are ready to 

face your fear, all are welcome! 

Take the stage and lip-synch 

to jazzy versions of classic and 

contemporary songs. What 

gets you jazzed? Tell us on the 

interactive wall. 

aarp.org/possibilities 

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