Hey everyone. My wife and I are thinking of checking out Florida (sometime if the pandemic allows) and I'm curious what the jazz scene is like in these areas. Is there a vibrant jazz scene? Regular gigs and jam sessions? Venues/players who are "must see"? How are people from these areas making it as musicians? Thanks for any info you can give.
Jazz Scene in Florida - Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Pensacola areas
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I know about Jacksonville and Tampa. They actually have very vibrant jazz scenes! More than many towns I have been to actually
*BUT*
It’s all gone due to Covid. My friends still in Florida who lived off of music are living off of unemployment now. All of that live music was hit hard, so definitely don’t expect much!
*BUT*
It’s all gone due to Covid. My friends still in Florida who lived off of music are living off of unemployment now. All of that live music was hit hard, so definitely don’t expect much!
Pensacola is a lovely town in varying states of prosperity and hurricane recovery which blossoms seasonally with snowbirds and loves any kind of party or festival, and live music with generally broad appeal. There is a substantial artist community and numerous galleries. Some solid jazz pianists and singers find most of their work in hotel and resort lounges, just the way it is. The jazz society is variably active depending on leadership and member enthusiasm, and tries to support local schools. Regular free evening concerts in a downtown green space included more Dixieland than bop or hard bop, but those were suspended due to lapsed funding which had been provided by local business and private patrons. Paying gigs must appeal to tourist taste and you find singer-songwriters at the beach bars by day and rock at night. There was a weekly free blues concert on the beach with local bands, don't know if still happening. There had been genuine annual jazz festivals at nearby upscale towns such as Seaside but I don't know their current status. This was my impression as a music consumer who lived there about ten years ago. Not to say you couldn't scare up some players for a jam if you asked around.
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I live in Tampa Bay area, it's ok. My quintet was playing out 1-2 times per month (it's a side project more than anything), but I'd guess a few nights per week somewhere in town you'd be able to see live jazz. We have quite a few heavy players here, though none of them are "household names". Butch Thomas is one, he played in Jaco's big band, and toured the world with Sting in the mid-90s. If you end up coming down here, reach out if you'd like to beforehand.
Awesome info, thanks. Do people busk along the beach? Seems like a good spot for that sort of thing.
Yeah, I googled it and there were quite a few venues that have/had jazz regularly from what I saw. Is there much of a tourist industry in the Tampa area, or along the West coast?
I never saw busking anywhere now that you mention it. Don't know if that is an ordinance or lack of talent or lack of audience.
Not to be crass, but Pensacola is in or adjacent to the ******* Riviera and a typical summer tourist on the beach might be deep into a six (12?) pack and playing country on their radio.
Strange to me was fact that peak tourist season was summertime, while the climate greatly favored fall and spring... which is when the snowbirds are in residence. They make the symphony, opera and touring theater productions possible, so maybe more jazz could find an audience. JazzPensacola has web and FB pages--suggest you contact them for current info.
If you are driving, certainly settle in Pensacola for a few days. Lovely hotels on the beach as well as some new hip places downtown. Walk the downtown and galleries, eat at some great restaurants, visit the Naval Aviation Museum. And of course New Orleans is only three hours to the west so you will have stopped there first!
Not to be crass, but Pensacola is in or adjacent to the ******* Riviera and a typical summer tourist on the beach might be deep into a six (12?) pack and playing country on their radio.
Strange to me was fact that peak tourist season was summertime, while the climate greatly favored fall and spring... which is when the snowbirds are in residence. They make the symphony, opera and touring theater productions possible, so maybe more jazz could find an audience. JazzPensacola has web and FB pages--suggest you contact them for current info.
If you are driving, certainly settle in Pensacola for a few days. Lovely hotels on the beach as well as some new hip places downtown. Walk the downtown and galleries, eat at some great restaurants, visit the Naval Aviation Museum. And of course New Orleans is only three hours to the west so you will have stopped there first!
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Before you get to Jacksonville, contact Chris with the Chris Thomas band. Chris (or one of his members) will know what is going on in that area. His bands (trios to 16 piece are playing 3-4 times a month and many of his members play with other bands; https://thechristhomasband.com/
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Huge tourist industry here, yes. Though because of Covid, that's way way down.
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