Looking ahead: Southwest Florida jazz preview [updated]

Here is a rundown of noteworthy jazz events, principally in the Sarasota to Naples territory, from now through December. Keep in mind the reality of COVID-19 protocols, expect possible cancellations, and please mask up to keep yourself and others safe.

October 

• Wednesday, October 27 – Violinist Benjamin Schmid is special guest with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra as the sextet opens its 2021-22 season. Artis Naples’ Daniels Pavilion. 6 and 8:30 p.m.

November

• Monday, November 8 – Pianist Jim Roberts’ Saxtet performs in the Charlotte County Jazz Society’s 2021-22 concert series. William H. Wakeman III Theater, Cultural Center of Charlotte County. Port Charlotte. 7 p.m.
• Monday, November 8 – Trumpeter Dominick Farinaccci performs at Jazz Club of Sarasota’s Monday Night Jazz Cabaret series. John C Court Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre. Sarasota, 7:30 p.m.

• 

  Diego Figueiredo
  

  Sunday, November 14 – Brazilian guitarist Diego Figueiredo performs in Morrie Trumble's Jazz With Morrie concert series. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice. Venice, 2 p.m.
  
• Wednesday to Saturday, November 17-20 – The 16^th annual Punta Gorda Wine & Jazz Festival, actually a wine and smooth jazz event, is in two phases this year. The first three days are saxophonist Mindi Abair’s third annual Wine+ Music Festival, with three different lineups in three different locations. The final day is the actual Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Wine & Jazz Festival featuring Eric Darius and Selina Albright and their bands. Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. Punta Gorda, 6:30 p.m.
• Friday to Sunday, November 19-21 – Suncoast Jazz Festival. No longer just your grandfather’s trad jazz/Dixieland fest, the dozens of performers include the Brubeck Brothers quartet, Diego Figueiredo, Dick Hyman, Jason Marsalis, and the Eddie Metz-Nicki Parrott-Rossano Sportiello trio, among many others. Sand Key, Clearwater Beach.
• Monday, November 22 – Miami-based conguero Sammy Figueroa performs at Jazz Club of Sarasota’s Monday Night Jazz Cabaret series. John C Court Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre. Sarasota, 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 30 – Saxophonist Dave Koz brings his Christmas tour with three fellow smoothies: guitarist/singer Jonathan Butler, trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Richard Elliot, along with singer Rebecca Jade. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota, 8 p.m.

December

• 

  Kenny Washington
  

  Monday, December 6 - Pianist Liston Gregory III is featured at Jazz Club of Sarasota’s Monday Night Jazz Cabaret series. John C Court Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre. Sarasota, 7:30 p.m.
• Monday, December 13 – Saxophonist Greg Abate’s quartet performs in the Charlotte County Jazz Society’s 2021-22 concert series. Gulf Theater at the Military Heritage Museum, Punta Gorda. 7 p.m. (venue change)
  
• Wednesday, December 15 – Singer Kenny Washington is special guest with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra as part of the sextet’s 2021-22 season. Artis Naples’ Daniels Pavilion. 6 and 8:30 p.m.
• Monday, December 20 – Guitarist Nate Najar and singer Daniela Soledade perform at Jazz Club of Sarasota’s Monday Night Jazz Cabaret series. John C Court Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre. Sarasota, 7:30 p.m.

Nate Najar, Daniela Soledade

Several venues offer jazz steadily. They include The Grill at 1951 (formerly J.D.’s Bistro) in Port Charlotte; Amore, Goodfella’s Café and Patrick’s in Sarasota; Scarpino’s in Bradenton; the Firehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin; The Roadhouse and The Barrel Room at Twisted Vine Bistro in Fort Myers; and Slate’s in Cape Coral. Jazz at Two Friday matinee concerts sponsored by the Jazz Club of Sarasota and Morrie Trumble's Jazz With Morrie series in Venice also keep things swinging for jazz lovers.