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 Jazz Club of Sarasota Presents

(Sarasota, Florida) The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents The Bob Switzer Quintet as part of its “Jazz at 2” concert series, Friday, May 6, 2-4 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $5 for Jazz Club members and $10 for non-members. For more information, call 941-366-1552.

The Bob Switzer Quintet includes Bob Switzer on trumpet; Stan Hunter on piano; Mark Neuenschwander on bass; John Jenkins on drums; and Wanda Stafford on vocals. The group will play “classics from the Great American song book in a jazz style reminiscent of the cool school days of Ella, Sarah, Billie, Dinah and particularly Anita O'Day,” says Stafford.

Bob Switzer grew up in Indianapolis in the midst of the thriving jazz scene where “so many well known musicians were laying the groundwork and learning their craft,” he says. He left Indianapolis to go on the road with the Russ Carlyle Orchestra and other bands before moving to New York City to headline with Latin jazz bands. While in New York, Bob appeared with the Lester Lanin Orchestra and did guest shots on the Arthur Godfrey Show. Switzer moved to Florida in 1992, and has performed around the region ever since.

Wanda Stafford has worked with such notables as Wes Montgomery, Bill Russo and Bill Evans. In the 1960's she recorded "In Love for the Very First Time" on Roulette Records. Originally from Indianapolis, Stafford later moved to San Francisco and became a part of the then-thriving North Beach jazz scene, working at the Jazz Workshop, the hungry i and the Playboy Club. In 1997 she paired with David Baker and his eight-piece ensemble for her critically acclaimed CD, "Let's Face the Music."

For more information about the Jazz Club of Sarasota, call 941-366-1552, or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.com.

About the Jazz Club of Sarasota
The Jazz Club of Sarasota features more than 80 concerts, events and lectures per year. Founded in 1980 by the late Hal Davis, the former publicist for Benny Goodman, the club presents the Sarasota Jazz Festival, one of the major jazz festivals in the United States. The organization also sponsors the Venice Jazz Festival every year.

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(Sarasota, Florida) The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents its annual “Jazz on the Water” cruise, Sunday, May 1, 2011, 3-5 p.m., aboard LeBarge, which departs from Bayfront Park in Sarasota. Guests will enjoy the sounds of The Bop Exchange, an area-based jazz quintet. Tickets are $30 for Jazz Club members; $35 for non-members. Snacks and beverages will be available for sale; guests are requested not to bring coolers. For more information, call 941-366-1552.

The Bop Exchange is comprised of Tony Castellano on keyboards, Tom Hamilton on bass, Ken Loomer on drums, Jeremy Powell on tenor sax, and Austin Vickrey on alto sax. The band will play selections from the works of Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and more.

“The jazz cruise has been a favorite Jazz Club event for the past 10 years,” says Rick Gee, a Jazz Club of Sarasota board member. “What better way to enjoy a beautiful spring day than to sail on Sarasota waters while enjoying great jazz? Our mission is to present the finest jazz music on Sarasota waters. We believe we do just that with this event.”

For more information about the Jazz Club of Sarasota, call 941-366-1552, or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.com.

About the Jazz Club of Sarasota
The Jazz Club of Sarasota is the most active jazz club in the United Sates, featuring more than 80 concerts and lectures per year. Founded in 1980 by the late Hal Davis, the former publicist for Benny Goodman, the club presents the Sarasota Jazz Festival, one of the major jazz festivals in the United States. The organization also sponsors the Venice Jazz Festival every year.

(Sarasota, Florida) The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents The Leslie DeCosta Trio as part of its “Jazz at 2” concert series, Friday, April 29, at 2-4 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $5 for Jazz Club members and $10 for non-members. For more information, call 941-366-1552.

“Leslie DaCosta is a master of flute, clarinet and saxophone—and an electrifying vocalist,” says George Allgair, coordinator of the Jazz at 2 series. “He’s performed several times this season at the Jazz Club of Sarasota’s “Jazz on the Water” series on the grounds of the Ringling Museum, and was received with great enthusiasm.”

Allgair says that DeCosta’s music “varies from rock, blues, gospel through straight-ahead jazz. He’s very knowledgeable about the music he presents and often enlightens the audience with his discussion.” DaCosta was born in Panama and raised in New York City, where he found and developed his jazz roots.

“His relocation to Florida several years ago is our gain,” says Allgair.

DaCosta will be accompanied by Tim Goodman on keyboard, bass and synthesizer. Goodman has been active in music for more than 35 years, and has worked with such masters as Lou Rawls and Bobby Vinton. Bob Hanson will join the team on guitar and vocals. For more information about this group, visit www.lesliedacostajr.com.

For more information about the Jazz Club of Sarasota, call 941-366-1552, or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.com.

About the Jazz Club of Sarasota
The Jazz Club of Sarasota is the most active jazz club in the United Sates, featuring more than 80 concerts and lectures per year. Founded in 1980 by the late Hal Davis, the former publicist for Benny Goodman, the club presents the Sarasota Jazz Festival, one of the major jazz festivals in the United States. The organization also sponsors the Venice Jazz Festival every year.

The Jazz Club of Sarasota Presents

(Sarasota, Florida) The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents a Cabaret Supper Club, an evening of cocktails, cabaret-style entertainment, dinner, and dancing, February 27, 6-10 p.m., at Michael's on East, 1212 East Ave. S., in Sarasota. Tickets are $50 per person. The attire is cocktail dress and there will be a cash bar. For reservations, call 941-366-1552.

The headliner for the evening is the Valerie Gillespie Ensemble, featuring Valerie Gillespie on saxophone, flute and vocal; Rick Steuart on keyboards; and Joe Renda on drums. Blending vocal and instrumental styles to produce an energetic sound that draws audiences in, the group plays selections from such artists as Nancy Wilson, Diana Krall, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Harold Arlen, George and Ira Gershwin, and Cole Porter.

“This event was designed to offer jazz enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy inspired music, conversation, and dinner in a sophisticated ambience,” says Joe Colella, a Jazz Club board member. “It rekindles the supper club setting, where guests can mingle, enjoy cocktails and dinner together, and listen and dance to great music by professional ensembles.”

Colella adds that The Valerie Gillespie Ensemble enjoys playing special requests, “so come prepared with your favorite songs!”

For more information about The Jazz Club of Sarasota, call 941-366-1552 or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.com. For more information about the Valerie Gillespie Ensemble, visit www.valeriegillespie.com.

About The Jazz Club of Sarasota
The Jazz Club of Sarasota is the most active jazz club in the United Sates, featuring more than 50 concerts and lectures each year. Founded in 1980 by the late Hal Davis, the former publicist for Benny Goodman, the club has approximately 750 members and is growing in membership. The club sponsors, with the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Sarasota Jazz Festival, one of the major U.S. jazz festivals. For more information, visit www.jazzclubsarasota.com.