2024 Program
Performance Schedule 2024
Times and location subjects to change.
Latest update - 11/16/2023
FULL SCHEDULE
All Festival Venues and Times
SCHEDULE - MOBILE FRIENDLY
FRIDAY
November 22, 2024
SATURDAY
November 23, 2024
SUNDAY
November 24, 2024
We’re Happy You’re Here!
Welcome to the 34th Annual Suncoast Jazz Festival! A celebration of jazz with some of the best musicians in the world and the best friends you will ever have.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- Joan Dragon, Festival Director
- Susan Fuller, Assistant Director
- Patric Beauchamp, Treasurer
- Joe Wall, Finance Consultant
- Kirk Merrett, Operations Co-Chair
- Wayland Linscott, Operations Co-Chair
- Steve Splane, Official Festival Photographer
-Steve Boisen, Sound & Technical
- Kathy Zantal Wiener, Secretary, Grants, Ticket Sales
- Yohance Wicks, Youth Development
- Lee Ann Beauchamp, Promotions
- Rachel Domber
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
- Linda Androvich, Hospitality
- Brad & Chris Parliman, Parking
- Claudia Dahlman, Vendors
- Sheila McMillen, Swing Dance
- Carolyn Hooper, 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, will receive a password via QR code to use to access free parking at the Sheraton. You’ll need your license plate number. And while we will have volunteers to assist with parking, please allow extra time for navigating the new parking system.
Other festival attendees can park offsite. Location TBD. Sand Key Park is currently closed and unavailable for us to use during festival. Other options for off-site parking locations are being explored. We encourage people to Uber or car pool to Sheraton.
Festival vans will be available on Friday 10:00am to 12:45am and Saturday 8:30am to 12:45am to transport festival attendees between the Sheraton, the Marriott and off-site parking.
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. 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.
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.
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.
Can you imagine what it would be like if theFestival were no more?
For more information about the founders, charter members, and how you can help support our youth and festival.
2024 Performers
Youth Bands
Support Our Youth Bands
TARPON SPRINGS HS JAZZ BAND
ALEXANDER W. DREYFOOS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS - CHRIS DE LEON, DIRECTOR
Jam Sessions
Fun, improvisational music featuring musicians who often have not met and collaborate to play sometimes unfamiliar tunes.
AL DOWNING ALL STARS provides opportunities for MUSICIANS of all ages — from students to seniors.
NAPLES JAZZ SOCIETY JAZZ BAND
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.
2024 RECIPIENT
Steve Splane
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
2024 RECIPIENT
Al Downing
TAMPA BAY JAZZ ASSOCIATION
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.
Our Sponsors & Benefactors
A heartfelt thank you for the very generous support provided by all our sponsors and our volunteers!
2024 Sponsors & Benefactors
2024 Corporate Sponsors
2024 Venue Sponsors
Haley’s Hall
Hank & Jacque Byars
S.T. Bear’s Den for Jazz
Lucie & Gene Mondani
Campi’s Cove
Linda Campi
Pepper’s Place
Howard Smith & Family
2024 Performer Sponsors
Arbors Records: Adrian Cunningham, Professor Cunningham and His Old School, Diego Figueiredo, Jon-Erik Kellso, Ken Peplowski, Wycliffe Gordon
DAVE BENNETT Quartet - Linda Campik, Linc & Elaine Linscott, Dennis & Dolores Kauffinger, Sally Bolle (Greater Detroit Jazz Society), Cheryl & Tom Liebold (Greater Detroit Jazz Society), Meghan Wilcox (Greater Detroit Jazz Society), Wayland Linscott, Laura Ostrem, Cynthia Rockwell, Alice Wallace, Susie & Ray Williams, Nancy Young, Dolores Znamirowski, Linda Cosden, Jane Beauchamp & Dave Knox, Dolores Znamirowski, Linda Cosden
PROFESSOR CUNNINGHAM & HIS OLD SCHOOL - Rachel Domber, Jeff Domber, Wendi Williams & Ginny Ekstedt, John & Nancy Robertson, Nancy & Wayne Lewis, Carolyn Hooper, Dolores Znamirowski, Linda Cosden
DIEGO FIGUEIREDO - Rachel Domber, Jeff Domber, Laura Ostrem, Ginny Ekstedt, Wendi Williams, Donna Flowers, Sandy Gallagher, Susan Fuller, Brenda Kimble
WALLY’S WAREHOUSE WAIFS - Gene Mondani, Lucie Mondani, Michael Whiting, Marc Gerber
NEW BLACK EAGLE JAZZ BAND - Margaret & Larry Bennett, John & Carol Birkenmaier, Dave Fanning, Sandy Pistolich, Milan Pistolich
ST. LOUIS STOMPERS - David & Karin Zink, Joe & Sandie DeSalvo, Hank & Jacque Byars, Ed & Alice Grayson
NAPLES JAZZ SOCIETY JAZZ BAND - Ed & Alice Grayson
DAVEY JONES & THE SUNCOAST SEVEN WITH TOM HOOK - Marc Gerber, Joe & Sandie DeSalvo
JASON MARSALIS - Steve Bromley Roger Whitcomb, Dave & Jan Miller
ED METZ - Nancy & Wayne Lewis
NATE NAJAR & DANIELA SOLEDADE - Bev Merrett
HEATHER THORN - Steven Leonard, John & Nancy Robertson, Susan Fuller, Phyllis Szmala
JAMES SUGGS & THE CREW - Dave & Jan Miller
WYCLIFFE GORDON - Kenneth Davis, Terry Gordon, Rachel Domber, Jeff Domber
JON-ERIK KELLSO AND THE EarREGULARS WITH JOHN ALLRED - Rachel Domber, Jeff Domber
PEPPER & FINE THYME - Howard Smith, Andrew Scavelli, Richard Watson
KEN PEPLOWSKI - Rachel Domber, Jeff Domber
LA LUCHA - Peace Memorial Concert Series, Beth Daniels, Brenda Kimble, Betty Snodgrass
BAKEY & BETTY - Maria & Tony Pirone
MIKE EVANS & BETTY COMORA - David & Karin Zink
SWING DANCE - Wayland Linscott
Thank You Volunteers
Our festivals’ successes are due to your elbow grease, humor, and your dedication.
Thank you for all you do!