Looking ahead: Southwest Florida jazz preview

Here is a rundown of noteworthy jazz events, principally in the Sarasota to Naples territory, from now through December, as the 2019-20 concert season continues to ramp up…

November

• Monday, November 11 – Pianist Johnny Varro’s Swing Seven performs in the Charlotte County Jazz Society’s concert series. William H. Wakeman III Theater, Cultural Center of Charlotte County. Port Charlotte. 7 p.m.

  

  Johnny Varro

• Wednesday, November 20 – Singer Carla Cook guests with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra in the sextet’s 2019-2020 concert series. Artis-Naples’ Daniels Pavilion, Naples. 6 and 8:30 p.m.
• Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24 – The 28^th annual Suncoast Jazz Festival’s lineup includes drummer Jason Marsalis and his 21^st Century Trad Jazz Band, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, reed player Adrian Cunningham, singer Molly Ryan, Tom Rigney & Flamabeau, and Tom Hook & the Terrier Brothers, plus a long list of area guest musicians.  Sand Key, Clearwater Beach.
• Friday, November 29 – Dave Koz & Friends Christmas tour with Jonathan Butler, Melissa Manchester, Michael Lington and Chris Walker. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota, 8 p.m. The saxophone smoothie and his friends also perform on Sunday, December 1 at Artis-Naples.
• Saturday, November 30 – Singer Tony Bennett in concert. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers. 8 p.m.

December

• Sunday, December 1 Dave Koz & Friends Christmas tour with Jonathan Butler, Melissa Manchester, Michael Lington and Chris Walker. Hayes Hall, Artis-Naples, 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 3 – Singer Tony Bennett in concert. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 8 p.m.
• Monday, December 9 – Craig Christman’s Stardust Memories Big Band performs in the Charlotte County Jazz Society’s concert series. William H. Wakeman III Theater, Cultural Center of Charlotte County. Port Charlotte. 7 p.m.

  

  Nate Najar, John Lamb

• Friday, December 13 – Guitarist Nate Najar’s Jazz Holiday with Adrian Cunningham on reeds, Chuck Redd on vibes, James Suggs on trumpet, John Lamb on bass, Jean Bolduc on drums and Daniela Soledade on vocals. A Jazz With Morrie co-production at Glenridge Performing Arts Center, Sarasota, 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 18 – Guitarist Peter Bernstein guests with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra in the sextet’s 2019-2020 concert series. Artis-Naples’ Daniels Pavilion, Naples. 6 and 8:30 p.m.

Several local venues offer jazz steadily. They include J.D.’s Bistro in Port Charlotte, The Blue Turtle in Punta Gorda, Amore, the Art Ovation Hotel and the Burns Court Bistro in Sarasota, the Firehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin, The Roadhouse, Society and The Barrel Room at Twisted Vine Bistro in Fort Myers, and Slate’s in Cape Coral. A variety of matinee concerts sponsored all season by the Jazz Club of Sarasota and Morrie Trumble Productions also keep things swinging for jazz lovers.