Looking Ahead: Southwest Florida jazz preview

The 2015-16 jazz concert season will start heating up in southwest Florida in September and continue through May, mirroring the gradual arrival and departure of the snowbirds. 

Here is a rundown of noteworthy jazz events, principally in the Sarasota to Naples territory, from now through November. I’ll post updated lists as the season progresses.

• Tuesday, September 8 – Singer Lorri Hafer with the Helios Jazz Orchestra. The Palladium Theatre’s Side Door Cabaret, St. Petersburg. 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 23 – Guitarist Nate Najar, drummer-vibist Chuck Redd and bassist Tommy Cecil. The Side Door Cabaret at the Palladum Theater. St. Petersburg. 7:30 p.m.
• Monday, October 12 – Charlotte County Jazz Society‘s Artists Series opens its new season with a double bill featuring singer-drummer Patricia Dean with the Stu Shelton trio, plus the Jim Martin-Dick Hamilton quartet. Cultural Center of Charlotte County, Port Charlotte. 7 p.m.
• Friday, October 23 – St. Petersburg-based O Som Do Jazz performs Brazilian jazz at Artis Naples’ Daniels Pavilion. 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. shows.
• Wednesday, October 28 – Baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan is featured guest with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra for its All That Jazz season opener. Daniels Pavilion, 6 and 8:30 p.m.

  

  Dee Dee Bridgewater

• Wednesday, November 4 – Singer Dee Dee Bridgewater joins Irvin Mayfield &  the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Straz Center’s Ferguson Hall, Tampa, 7:30 p.m.
• Monday, November 9 – Pianist Jerry Stawski’s Jazz Ensemble. Charlotte County Jazz Society‘s Artists Series concert at Cultural Center of Charlotte County. 7 p.m.
• Sunday, November 15 – Guitarist Julian Lage’s trio. The Side Door Cabaret at the Palladum Theater. St. Petersburg. 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 18 – West Coast singer Kenny Washington joins the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra for the sextet’s  monthly All That Jazz concert. Daniels Pavilion, 6 and 8:30 p.m.
• November 20-22. Dixieland and trad jazz take over Clearwater Beach for the 25^th annual Suncoast Jazz Classic, featuring bands from across Florida and across the U.S. in performances at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort and the Marriott Suites on Sand Key. Details at the group’s website.
• Saturday, November 28 – Smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz brings his 2015 Christmas tour, with special guests, to Artis Naples. Hayes Hall, 8 p.m.

Several local restaurants (including J.D.’s in Port Charlotte, The Orange House in Punta Gorda, Fandango in Sarasota and The Roadhouse in Ft. Myers) offer jazz steadily. A variety of matinee concerts sponsored all season by the Jazz Club of Sarasota and the South County Jazz Club also keep things swinging for jazz lovers.