Open Letter Update

UPDATE: Three members of the "alternative slate" of new officers for the South County Jazz Club have withdrawn their candidacies. They say the slate was proffered last week without their approval and/or knowledge.  

Any criticism  contained in my initial posting on Sunday was leveled at the leader of this campaign and whoever rallied behind him, not at the slate itself. It is unfortunate if these club members were put in this awkward situation without their knowledge or approval. KF

An open letter to fellow South County Jazz Club members

Look behind the mirror before you vote

As a club member for two-thirds of the South County Jazz Club’s existence, I want to make a couple of comments about what I’ve observed over the past few months.

Jazz excellence opens matinee series

The South County Jazz Club's extensive 2013-14 series of afternoon concerts opened today at the Venice Art Center with the Bruce Wallace Trio featuring pianist Kenny Drew Jr. In addition to Drew and bassist Wallace, the band included drummer Tom Carabasi.

Drew was in fine form (when isn't he?) and western Florida is fortunate to have him call the area home. Nothing in his wide range of material was more poignant than his take on "Dedication" from his 1998  album, Passionata. He wrote the song in tribute to his late father, a bebop pianist who took his career to Europe in 1961 and died there in 1993.

Drew will be back October 14 for a trio appearance at the Charlotte Cultural Center in Port Charlotte that opens the Charlotte County Jazz Society's seven-month Artists Series.

CDs of Note - Short Takes

Taking a closer look at new CDs by Kenny Garrett, Jimmy Masters, Frank Potenza and Tierney Sutton...

Looking Ahead: Southwest Florida jazz preview [Oct. 14 updated]

The snowbirds won’t be back in Florida in full force until January, but the earlybirds have begun trickling in. That’s another way of saying the concert seasons by southwest Florida jazz presenters are starting to ramp up.

I plan to do these previews quarterly for events in the Sarasota to Naples territory, with a few major items from the Tampa-St. Pete area now and then.

Naples Jazz Orchestra fans can breathe easier

At Monday's workshop on a proposal to limit special events taking place in downtown Naples, the City Council seemed to agree that shelving concerts by the Naples Jazz Orchestra on Monday nights January through May is no longer a possibility.

Big Band Jazz needs support in Naples – NOW

In just four seasons, Southwest Florida’s Naples Jazz Orchestra has developed into one of the state’s finest big bands. That’s no exaggeration. Some of the band's crack musicians drive two or three hours each way to rehearse and perform with the band because the experience is worth the commute. The NJO can hold its own with any big band anywhere. 

CDs of Note - Short Takes

Taking a closer look at new CDs by Jimmy Amadie, Lili Añel and Michael Ross...