2025 Program
Performance Schedule 2025
Times and location subjects to change. Latest update - 11/08/2025
FULL SCHEDULE
All Festival Venues and Times
SCHEDULES - MOBILE FRIENDLY
FRIDAY
November 21, 2025
SATURDAY
November 22, 2025
SUNDAY
November 23, 2025
We’re Happy You’re Here!
Welcome to the 35th Suncoast Jazz Festival! A celebration of jazz with some of the best musicians in the world and some of the best friends you will ever have.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joan Dragon, Festival Director
Susan Fuller, Co-Director
Kirk Merrett and Wayland Linscott - Operations
Kathy Zantal Wiener - Secretary/Grants
Bev Merrett - Corresponding Secretary
Linda Androvich - Finance Team
Patric Beauchamp - Treasurer
Steve Boisen - Sound and Technical
Lee Ann Beauchamp - Promotions
Mark Moultrup - Youth Programs
BOARD ADVISORS
Nate Najar
Mike Cornette
Bob Seymour
DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Dave Fanning
Dani Sullivan
Shirley Wimpfen
Charlie Jacobs
Jerry Donahoe
Paulette Pepper Sudduth
FESTIVAL ADMINISTRATION
Alice Wallace, Volunteers
Aly Pegher, Hospitality
Eileen Mullen, Parking
Claudia Dahlman, Vendors
Sheila McMillen, Swing Dance
Karen Romanski, Venue
Bev Merrett, Decorations
For Your Information
PARKING AND SHUTTLES
Hotel guests will enjoy adequate parking at their hotels. Sheraton and Marriott Hotels currently charge daily parking fees.
Sheraton hotel guests who are also festival attendees may use the code #7401 to receive discounted parking for $10/day. You’ll need your license plate number. And while we will have volunteers to assist with parking, please allow extra time for navigating the parking system.
Festival vans will be available
Friday, Nov. 21st from 10:30am to 12:30am
Saturday, November 22nd 8:00am to 12:30am
Sunday, Nov. 23rd from 8:00am to 3:00pm.
The van drive a circuitous route between the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, the Clearwater Beach Marriott on Sand Key, and Volunteer off-site parking.
TAPING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Please obtain performers’ permission prior to recording any performer with any media enabled device. If recording, always be courteous and conscious of performers and other audience members.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Cash bars and food are available at the Sheraton. Festival attendees are welcome to bring food or drink from any Sheraton restaurant or bar into any venue.
No outside food or drink permitted.
For hotel dining options, times, and locations, check with your hotel’s concierge / front desk or visit the hotel website. Sheraton food options are also listed on the front of the festival performance schedule. Additional dining options are available adjacent to the hotels.
SPONSOR AND BENEFACTOR SEATING
Performer Sponsors will have table seating while their sponsored band or musician is playing. At other times, Sponsors and Benefactors may enjoy designated priority seating.
We encourage early arrival as we do not guarantee reserved seating. As per festival policy, attendees are not to save seating with clothing or other items in any venue.
Seating is not guaranteed.
Legacy Society
SUPPORT ASPIRING YOUNG JAZZ MUSICIANS
You love jazz. That’s why you attend the Suncoast Jazz Festival and we truly appreciate you being here. Your support helps aspiring young jazz musicians and enables us to continue this great festival tradition.
For more information about the founders, charter members, and how you can help support our youth and festival.
2025 Performers
Youth Bands
Support Our Youth Bands
TARPON SPRINGS JAZZ ENSEMBLE
DR. TIMOTHY S. SEXTON, MR. CHRIS FAISON CO-DIRECTORS
Zorch’s Place - Friday 12:00pm
SEMINOLE HIGH SCHOOL - ALL-IN BIG BAND
STEVEN M. HARRIS, DIRECTOR
Zorch’s Place - Friday 1:15pm
TARPON SPRINGS JAZZ ENSEMBLE is one of five nationally accomplished performance ensembles within the Tarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory for the Arts.
SEMINOLE HIGH SCHOOL ALL-IN BIG BAND is known throughout the Bay Area and State for their focused study of the Jazz Genre and passionate student performances.
Jam Sessions
Fun, improvisational music featuring musicians who often have not met and collaborate to play sometimes unfamiliar tunes.
Pepper’s Place Friday
1:15-3:30pm with Naples Jazz Society Jammers
10:00pm to 12:15am with Al Downing Trio
Pepper’s Place Saturday
10am-12:15pm with Naples Jazz Society Jammers
10:30pm to 12:30am with Al Downing Trio
AL DOWNING TRIO provides opportunities for MUSICIANS of all ages — from students to seniors.
NAPLES JAZZ SOCIETY JAMMERS
Dedicated to the preservation of early jazz music, the Naples Jazz Society has different bands that focus on performing different styles of jazz dating from the 1890s to 1940s.
Director’s Award
The Festival Director’s recognition for those who have made major contributions to the festival over the years.
2025 RECIPIENTS
LUCIE MONDANI & LINDA CAMPI
2024 – Steve Splane
2023 – Jerry Donahue, Charlie Jacobs, Howard Smith, Dave Fanning
2022 – Rachel Domber
2021 – Bill Allred, Nate Najar
2019 – John Lamb
2017 – Jerry Donahoe
2012 – Maxine Kelly & Shirley Wimpfen
DIRECTOR’S AWARD OVER THE YEARS
2011 – Mat Domber
2008 – Dave Fanning
2007 – Carmella Sechen, Charlie Jacobs
2006 – Shirley Wimpfen
2005 – Maxine & Leo Kelly, Mary Anderson
2004 – Jim Wheaton, Howard & Donna Smith
2003 – “Sam” Buchanan & Kitty Robinson,
Woody Weidemeyer
2002 - Dave & Joan Hampton
2001 – Bob Draga, Chuck & Midge Applegate
2000 – Dave & Ruth Huntley
1999 – Rick Fay
1997 – Rachel & Mat Domber
1996 – Paul O’Conner
1995 – Dick Kammeier
Sonny Award
2025 RECIPIENT
DR. TIMOTHY S. SEXTON
The Sonny Award was created in 2011 to honor Sonny LaRosa for his tireless efforts to keep jazz alive through musical training and performance. Learn about past awardees and how you can help keep jazz alive with today’s youth.
Celebrating Our Sponsors
Our Sponsors & Benefactors
A heartfelt thank you for the very generous support provided by all our sponsors!
2025 Sponsors & Benefactors
2025 Corporate Sponsors
2025 Venue Sponsors
Zorch’s Place
Hank & Jacque Byars
S.T. Bear’s Den for Jazz
Lucie Mondani
In Memory of Gene Mondani
Campi’s Cove
Linda Campi
Pepper’s Place
The Smith Family
2025 Performer Sponsors
YOUTH FESTIVAL PROGRAM - Hank & Jacque Byars
DAVE BENNETT QUARTET - Ray & Susie Williams, Nancy Young, Phyllis Szmala, Muriel Nunn, Cythia Rockwell, Julie Plank & Chuck Albers, Laura Ostrem
PROFESSOR CUNNINGHAM & HIS OLD SCHOOL -
DIEGO FIGUEIREDO - Dan & Jan Ostrom, Laura Ostrem
TUBA SKINNY - Beth Daniels - Peace Concert Chair
ST. LOUIS STOMPERS -
NAPLES JAZZ SOCIETY JAZZ BAND - Marc Gerber
JASON MARSALIS - Steve Bromley, Ann & Bert Gordon
CHUCK REDD - Dan & Jan Ostrom
NATE NAJAR & DANIELA SOLEDADE - Bev Merrett
HEATHER THORN - Steven Leonard
EDDIE METZ - Dan & Jan Ostrom
BRYAN J HUGHES & THE CREW -
WYCLIFFE GORDON -
KEN PEPLOWSKI - Dan & Jan Ostrom, Marc Gerber
LA LUCHA -
BAKEY & BETTY - Jan & Dan Ostrom
TOM RIGNEY & FLAMBEAU - Jane Beachamp & Dave Knox
THE JAZZ PHOOLS - Joe and Sandie De Salvo
BOB PRICE - Ed & Alice Grayson, Lew & Dawn Belcourt
Thank You Volunteers
Our festivals’ successes are due to your elbow grease, humor, and your dedication.
Thank you for all you do!