Looking ahead: Southwest Florida jazz preview

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

Rossano Sportiello

February

• Sunday, February 20 – Drummer Eddie Metz Jr., bassist-singer Nicki Parrott and pianist Rossano Sportiello (The International Trio), perform at a free concert in Morrie Trumble's South County Jazz With Morrie series. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Venice. 2 p.m.
• Monday, February 21 – Trumpeter Dan Miller's quartet performs in the Jazz Club of Sarasota's Monday Night Jazz Cabaret series at the John C Court Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre. 7:30 p.m.

March

• Saturday March 5 – Trumpeter James Suggs' quartet performs a tribute to Louis Armstrong. Firehouse Cultural Center, Ruskin. 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, March 6 – Guitarist Dave Stryker performs for the Tampa Jazz Club (Rescheduled from January), HCC Ybor City's Mainstage Theater. Tampa. 3 p.m.
• Monday, March 7 – O Som Do Jazz performs in the Jazz Club of Sarasota's Monday Night Jazz Cabaret series at the John C Court Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota. 7:30 p.m.

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  Catherine Russell
  

  Monday, March 14 – The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, led by David Pruyn, performs in the Charlotte County Jazz Society 2021-22 concert series. First Methodist Church, Punta Gorda. 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 16 through Saturday March 19 – Sarasota Jazz Festival's 2022 edition, Swinging Under the Stars, mainstage concerts. Performers include Shelly Berg, Dick Hyman, Russell Malone, Ken Peplowski, Houston Person, John Pizzarelli, Catherine Russell, Arturo Sandoval, Terrell Stafford and Tierney Sutton. Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota. 6:30 p.m.

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  John Pizzarelli, Ken Peplowski
  

  

  Arturo Sandoval
  

  Wednesday, March 16 – Trumpeter Leroy Jones is special guest with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra in the sextet's All That Jazz concert series. Daniels Pavilion, Naples. 6 and 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 17 – Trumpeter Chris Botti in concert. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 8 p.m.
• Monday, March 21 – Singer Scotty Wright performs in the Jazz Club of Sarasota's Monday Night Jazz Cabaret series at the John C Court Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre. 7:30 p.m. 
• Thursday, March 24 – Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge celebrate their new CD, Within Us, and the band's 25-year history. USF Concert Hall, Tampa.  7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, March 27 –The Dan Miller-Lew Del Gatto quintet featuring 16-year-old pianist Brandon Goldberg. Naples United Church of Christ, Naples. 3 p.m.
  

Several area venues offer jazz steadily. They include The Grill at 1951 (formerly J.D.’s Bistro) in Port Charlotte; Amore, Cafe L'Europe and Goodfella’s Cafe in Sarasota; Scarpino's in Bradenton; 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 South County Jazz With Morrie series in Venice also keep things swinging for jazz lovers.