Photo courtesy of
Gabriela Gabrielaa
Staff
From Nik Walker
President of the Jazz Club
Robert
Vice
Judy
– Sarasota Municipal Auditorium
WOW! It seems like the Annual Sarasota Jazz Festival has been held all over the city. Imagine putting on a major musical event every year in a new venue and all the challenges that follow. Just to name a few:
◊ How are the acoustics in the new location?
◊ Is there enough capacity in the electrical system to handle the large sound and lighting systems that needs to be brought in or do you need to rent a generator?
◊ Is there a sufficient Green Room (Hospitality space available)?
◊ Is there sufficient parking available?
◊ Are there fixed seats or do they need to be rented with padding?
As you can see, Improvisation and flexibility are necessary qualities for any person or organization who wants to present jazz performances. The board of directors, volunteers, and members of the Jazz Club of Sarasota all deserve a big pat on the back for their ability to adapt, be flexible, and improvise when it comes to the producing, planning and the execution of the annual Sarasota Jazz Festival. The last five years are evidence of that.
But, when you think about it, jazz is all about improvisation. Jazz musicians speak with great pride when they say that they haven’t played a piece of music the same way. Just like the walls, roof, and floors of the performance locations are the unchanging foundation of the venues, most jazz musical numbers start off with a repetitive theme that rarely changes. Then, once the improvisation takes over, it’s magic.
Nik Walker President
Cruising Cruising
Emmet Cohen
ultifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen is in the vanguard of his generation's advancement of music and the related arts. A recognized prodigy, Cohen began Suzuki method piano instruction at age three, and his playing quickly became a mature melding of musicality, technique, and concept. Downbeat observed that his "nimble touch, measured stride and warm harmonic vocabulary indicate he's above any convoluted technical showmanship." Cohen notes that performing jazz is "about communicating the deepest levels of humanity and individuality; it's essentially about connections," both among musicians and with audiences. He leads his namesake ensemble, the "Emmet Cohen Trio," is a vibrant solo performer, and is in constant demand as a sideman. Possessing a fluid technique, an innovative tonal palette, and an extensive repertoire, Cohen plays with the command and passion of an artist fully devoted to his medium.
Emmet Cohen is committed to the intergenerational transfer of the knowledge, history, and traditions of jazz. His signature professional undertaking is the "Masters Legacy Series," a celebratory set of recordings and interviews honoring legendary jazz musicians. He serves as both producer and pianist for each album in the series. This landmark, ongoing project provides musicians of multiple generations the means to share the unwritten folklore that is America's unique artistic idiom. Cohen has observed
that jazz "is enriched immeasurably by connecting and studying with jazz masters, forging backward to the very creation of the art form." Four volumes of the "Masters Legacy Series" have been released, spotlighting Cohen's collaborations with Jimmy Cobb, Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Tootie Heath, and George Coleman.
Downbeat observed that his "nimble touch, measured stride and warm harmonic vocabulary indicate he's above any convoluted technical showmanship."
Emmet Cohen is the winner of the 2019 American Pianists Awards and the Cole Porter Fellow of the American Pianists Association, and Artist-inResidence at the University of Indianapolis. He placed first in both the 2014 American Jazz Pianists Competition and the 2011 Phillips Piano Competition at the University of West Florida and, as a finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition, he was received in the Oval Office by President Obama.
Cohen has appeared in varied international jazz events, including the Newport, Monterey, Detroit, North Sea, Bern, Edinburgh, and Jerusalem jazz festivals, as well as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics
in Russia. He has also performed at the Village Vanguard, the Blue Note, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Birdland, Jazz Standard, London's Ronnie Scott's, Jazzhaus Montmartre in Copenhagen, Lincoln Center's Rose Hall, the Cotton Club in Tokyo, and Washington's Kennedy Center. For many years he was Hammond B-3 organist-in-residence at Harlem's SMOKE jazz club.
Cohen notes that performing jazz is "about communicating the deepest levels of humanity and individuality; it's essentially about connections," both among musicians and with audiences.
Cohen has achieved a comprehensive position in the world of the creative arts that extends beyond keyboard performance. He serves as an international clinician through programs such as Lincoln Center's "Jazz for Young People"; however, in his role as a master teacher he reaches learners of all ages. Himself an alumnus of the YoungArts Foundation, Cohen now curates multidisciplinary YoungArts programs nationally that include creative writing, theater, dance, visual arts, cinematography, music, voice, and jazz. Through designing curricula and selecting master artists as teachers and mentors, Cohen establishes an atmosphere in which student performers become responsive to their audiences. Cohen has also assisted in developing interdisciplinary programs directed by choreographers Debbie Allen and Bill T. Jones.
In addition to leading the "Emmet Cohen Trio," Cohen has appeared regularly with Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Houston Person, Kurt Elling, Billy Hart, Brian Lynch, and Lea DeLaria, among others. He is a member of Christian McBride's trio "Tip City" and serves as pianist and music director for jazz vocalist Veronica Swift. .
During the 2020 lockdown, Cohen developed "Live From Emmet's Place," a series of weekly performances by his trio and special guests livestreamed from his New York apartment that recall the Harlem rent parties of yesteryear. These concerts, which have received millions of internet views worldwide, are noteworthy for employing sophisticated production values that set the standard for live internet jazz performance.
2025
Cohen holds a Masters Degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelors Degree from the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, where he studied with the esteemed pianist and educator Shelly Berg. In his formative years he was tutored in classical piano at the Manhattan School of Music's Pre-College Division.
A dynamic and charismatic performer, Emmet Cohen possesses wide-ranging talents that are invigorating the contemporary arts world both at home and abroad and are received enthusiastically worldwide.
Emmet Cohen is a YAMAHA artist.
Emmet Cohen
The Emmet Cohen Trio with singer Georgia Heers will be the main stage performance on opening night, March 20, 2025 at the Sarasota Jazz Festival.
Photo courtesy of Evelyn Freja a
Photo courtesy of Gabriela Gabrielaa
Fridays from 2 - 4
Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota 3975 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota
Tickets are sold at the door
JCM $15 | NM $20
Jazz at Two features many of the best jazz artists in the area performing a good mix of various types of jazz - classic straight ahead jazz, contemporary jazz, Dixie swing, big band, jazz cabaret and American Songbook music. Many groups include blues, bossa nova and Latin compositions in their performances. Enjoy the best jazz on Florida’s Westcoast.
The Jazz at Two concert series benefits the Jazz Club’s Scholarship Program with a portion of each admission and 100% of donations collected at performances going to the scholarship fund.
October 18 Kevin Celebi Harmonic Sanity Septet
November 1 Scotty Wright Quartet
November 15 Patricia Dean Trio
December 6 Oceans Eleven Band
December 20 Mark Moultrup Music
December 27 Scholarship Concert
January 3 Skip Conkling’s Dixie Mix
January 10 James Suggs and Friends
January 17 Synia Carroll “A Jazz Journey”
January 24 Eddie Tobin and Friends
January 31 Trace Zacur Quartet
February 7 Sarasota Jazz Project
February 14 Mark & Anne Burnell Quartet
February 21 Pete Carney “The Music of Stan Getz”
February 28 Pete BarenBregge Quartet
March 7 The Michael Ross ‘4’
March 14 Kitt Moran Quartet
March 28 Paul Gavin and Friends
April 4 Isaac Mingus Quartet
April 11 Danny Sinoff Trio
April 25 Hot Club SRQ
For more information call 941.260.9951 or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org
Scholarship News
Special Named Awards
or more than three decades The Jazz Club of Sarasota has been awarding financial support to deserving students studying jazz music. Students apply from Sarasota and surrounding counties. The 2024 Scholarship Award Winners were celebrated in a special concert on Sunday, July 21st at Fogartyville Media & Arts Center.
Photos from the July 21,2024 Concert courtesy of Carol LoRicco
The Matt Bokulic Scholarship commemorates a true icon of the Tampa Bay music scene. Matt was born in Springfield, MA and attended Berklee School of Music and the University of South Florida. He moved to Tampa in 1995. He soon became an area favorite pianist, composer, and educator. He taught piano for more than 20 years at the Players School of Music, recorded with many luminaries and wrote three books about music theory. Through the generosity of the Bokulic family, The Matt Bokulic Scholarship is an annual award.
The Blake Bennett Scholarship was established by the scholarship committee last year after Blake tragically died in a traffic accident just five months after graduation. He was an accomplished trumpet player who had received scholarships from the Jazz Club for all four years of undergraduate work at Florida State University. His plans included graduate work at FSU. The Jazz Club Scholarship Committee has decided to continue to award deserving students this distinguished scholarship in Blake’s memory.
The Robert H Weitz Scholarship is a new scholarship in memory of Bob Weitz, past chairman of the Jazz Club scholarship committee. For over 14 years, Bob spent many happy hours attending musical events at high schools across the SW Florida as he searched for students showing exceptional talent. He encouraged them to focus their interest on jazz and he recommended that they apply to the Jazz Club for scholarships. So grew the tradition of supporting young talent. A dear friend and champion for the kids, we proudly make this an annual scholarship in Bob’s memory.
(See details on the 2024 scholarship winners on next 2 pages.)
Eli Evans is a sophomore at Howard Blake High School. He is a multi-instrumentalist with a focus on the baritone sax. Eli attended the jazz intensive camp at the Straz
Maxwell Haman, vocalist and guitarist, is a senior at Howard Blake High School. Max is attending Stanford University Jazz Summer Program in San Francisco.
William Stenberg is a senior at Howard Blake High School. He plays the drums as well as marimba. He hopes to have a career in music, possibly as a professor. William attended Brevard Jazz Institute in North Carolina under the direction of Michael Dease. Thank You Note
Wade Richards is a junior at Howard Blake High School. His instruments are vibraphone and steel drum. Wade attended Brevard Jazz Institute in North Carolina under the direction of Michael Dease.
Thank You Note
Demetrious Johnson graduated from Howard Blake High School. He plays the trumpet and is attending Hillsborough Community College studying Jazz education.
Robert Langdon is a 2024 graduate of Howard Blake High School and is now a freshman at Florida State University. He has been playing the saxophone since sixth grade and is looking forward to continuing his education in Jazz Performance.
Greg Gibson recently graduated from Barron-Collier High School. He is a bassist attending Berklee College of Music. His goal is to be a jazz performer and teacher.
Kevin Aguirre plays alto and baritone saxophone. He is a transfer student from State College of Florida to University of North Florida. He studies music education centered on Jazz.
NEW COLLEGE STUDENTS
RETURNING AWARDEES (COLLEGE)
Ben Dunham is a senior at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Ben was drawn to the vibraphone due to the way it uses melody, harmony and rhythm. His goal is to combine careers in composition and performance as a jazz vibraphonist. Ben is this year’s recipient of The Matt Bokulic Scholarship.
Colin Leonard is a multi-instrumentalist, playing the flute, saxophone and clarinet. He is a senior at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, majoring in Jazz Performance Studies. Colin plans a professional career in music, combining teaching, composing, and performing. Colin is this year's recipient of The Robert H Weitz Scholarship.
Jayden Titus is a sophomore music major at he State College of Florida. A trumpeter, Jayden says he knew as a kid that he would pursue music. He aspires to a career in jazz performance. Jayden shares The Blake Bennett Scholarship with Alex Malkovich.
Alex Malkovich plays the guitar and tenor saxophone. He is a student at St. Petersburg College. Alex hopes to have his own band and be a touring musician. He shares The Blake Bennett Scholarship with Jayden Titus.
Anika Archipov is a guitarist and vocalist. She has already established herself as a songwriter and recording artist. Anika is a sophomore at Berklee College of music studying composition and is planning to continue her career as a singer-songwriter and jazz guitarist.
Cole Wheeler is a sophomore at the University of Central Florida in the Jazz Studies Program. He is a drummer and percussionist. Cole stated his goal is “to build a career around playing, teaching and otherwise interacting with music.”
Thank you for supporting the
From the Scholarship Committee Michael Ross and Louise Coogan, Co-Chairs
of FriendsA SPECIAL THANK YOU
Inner Circle ($2000+)
George & Janet Allgair
Arbors Records - Rachel Domber
Karen Bokulic
Karen & Les Bunch
Cannabis Theory
Harold & Evelyn Davis Foundation
Melonie Favorite & Conrad Kenley
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Jazz at Two - Scholarship Fund
Walter Jolley
Judy Jones
Michael Lazaroff, The Jazz Cruise
David & Gwen Murphy
Sarasota County Tourist Development
Seidman Family Foundation
Maggie & Mark Sharff
Close Friends ($1000 to
$1999)
Bill Coughlin
Pamela Hahlbeck
Jane Ahern-DeFillippi
Barbara Alcock
Michael Allen
Barbra & Peter Alter
Peter Anderson
Anonymous Donor
Teresa Asbury
Carline Ash
Jon Ayers
Donna Marie Bartoli
Thomas E. Bercal
Barbara A Blanchard
Steven Block
Judith Boehm
Susan Borozan
Friends (Under $1000) continued
Susan Ghezzi
Bob Goldin
Becky Goodman
James Gray
Arlene Greene
Grinberg Family Fund
Mark Gruder
James Guyer
Kenneth Hamilton
Robert Hammond
Jim Hanlon
Carol Hayhow
Rosemary Heller
Richard Herring
Walter Hughes
Paul Hummel
Theresa Iacono
James Jones
Daniel Joy
Joy of Jazz - Scholarship Fund
Rosalie Lewis
Eamon Linehan
Joseph Lizzio
Steven Ludmerer
Brenda MacKay
David Martin
James Martin
John Masio
Reid McCullough
Carole & John McDermott
Susan McGivern
Gene McGowan
George McLain
Deloras McLain
Audrey & Thomas Meagher
Allison & Clifford Menezes
Phillip Miller
Richard Mink
Kenneth Mitchell
Cathleen & James Morano
Julie Planck
Edda Post
Karen Ramuno
John Robenalt
James Rooney
L & R Rosenbluth Fund
Michael Ross
Nancy Roucher
Paul Roy
Sue Rupp
Arlene M Salzberg
Scholarship Concert Donations
Jeffrey A. Sebeika
Bob Seymour
Renee Simon
Sheri Simon
Sneed Family Trust
Stephen Splane
Terell Stafford
James Stewart
Ed Linehan
Brad & Carol LoRicco
Friends (Under $1000)
Richard Boyce
Richard Brey
Richard Brinson
Michael Brooks
Janet Bryars
Susan Burke
Steven Bush
Perette & William Cannady
Synia Carroll
Eugene Caruso
Robert Catineau
Louise Coogan
Beth Cotner
Denise Crossley
Dave Decker Sr
Eric & Judy Mower
Metropics Radio, Carlos & Wendy Pagån
Ted Kaplan
Paul Kaufman
Corey Kenneally
Gerald Mary & Kilanoski
Prince Knight
Joan Koplin
Ronald Kushner
Stephen Kutikoff
Danielle La Senna
Diana de Veer
Jane Doernberg
David Einstein
Robyn Faucy
Lisa Feinman
Judy Fiala
Bernard Fineman
Martin Friedman
Steve Frumkin
Dave Gammon
Claire Garch
William Gardner
Gordon Garrett
Chip Gaylor
Marvin Geller
Michael Landy
Stephen Leary
Susan M Leavis
Donald Levine
Melvy Erman Lewis
Martine & Peter Moscovita
Mark Moultrup
Leonard Murphy
Michael Nahrstedt
Joy Naylor
Dennis Neeser
Lynn Nemser
Terri Nickel
Kerstin Nicholson
James Nolan
Colleen Odom
Rodney Packard
Wendy Pagån
Philip Peters
Roscoe Stovall
Gayle & Ron Timmerman
Paul Toliver
John Tolle
Fran Van Zandt
Mykola Vorona
Robert Walker
Elizabeth Wallace
Lenore Walsh
Sandra Warner
Gisela Weinland
Stephen Williams
Cynthia Wolloch
William Woods
Nik Walker, President
When I’m not listening to Straight Ahead Jazz, I listen to either classical music or smooth/cool Jazz. I was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. where I was always surrounded by music. It’s like my best friend. I find myself still gravitating to the older jazz, (pre- 1960). I perceived there to be more feeling and depth to that music.
George McLain, Vice President
George McLain is a native of Sarasota, who moved to Miami with his family in 1950. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played tenor saxophone with the basketball pep band and a full size jazz ensemble. After law school at the University of Miami, he served in the US Air Force as an Assistant Judge Advocate. While stationed in Los Angeles, he performed as a vocalist in numerous venues, and he represented Air Force Systems Command as vocalist and master of ceremonies at the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest. He returned to Sarasota with his wife, Dee, in 1972. He has been a member of the Jazz Club since 2010, and he currently serves as vice-president and a director of the Club. He continues to play saxophone professionally, and he has led Sarasota Jazz Project, a 16-piece jazz orchestra, since 2011.
Judy Jones, Secretary
Judy Jones lived most of her life in Vermont and enjoyed a variety of careers including silversmith, restaurateur, and special education teacher among them. The arts and education are very important to her and when she retired to Englewood, she soon became a supporter and volunteer for The Jazz Club of Sarasota as well as The Hermitage Artist Retreat. Judy is currently serving as Secretary of the Jazz Club, is on the Scholarship committee, and volunteers at most JCS events.
Paul Toliver, Treasurer
Paul is a co-founder of Seattle Jazz Offering (SJO), an organization that featured and presented Jazz in Seattle honoring the music and its legends. He is co-host of the annual SJO reunion show this fall.
He is a former Chair, Board Member and currently an emeritus Board Member of Seattle’s Earshot Jazz Club https://www.earshot.org/our-team, Chair of the Arts and Culture Committee of the Manasota Chapter of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), a Board Member of the Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative (SBAC), and most recently served as the Juror for the 2024 Art Center Sarasota Annual Juried Members Art Show.
Paul is a volunteer with the Sarasota International Film Festival as an advisor on films by and about African American Life and Culture.
Peter Anderson, Director
Peter Anderson relocated to Sarasota, FL, from the Northeast in 1995, after an early career in hospitality and fine dining that included managing a jazz club in Connecticut, inn keeping in the Berkshires, and serving as a food and beverage director on Grand Cayman. Upon settling in Sarasota, Peter transitioned to a successful career in financial sales while nurturing his passion for live music. As co-chair and then producer of Giving Hunger the Blues, an annual charity music festival, Peter helped raise over $1.4 million during its 19-year run to support local children in need. He remains deeply involved in the Sarasota music scene as an active member of the Jazz Club of Sarasota, where he currently produces the popular Monday Night Jazz series at the Florida Studio Theatre.
Perette DeJean-Cannady, Director
As a graduate of the NY Restaurant School, I brought my culinary passion to Bradenton, where I opened the first coffee shop and bakery at Lakewood Ranch in 2001. My journey continued with a second coffee shop in Bradenton and a successful wholesale bakery, supplying desserts to some of the finest restaurants in Bradenton and Sarasota.
My expertise extends to corporate catering, and for 13 years, I shared my love for music and healing as the programmer and host of "Vibrational Journeys" on WSLR community radio in Sarasota. Today, I am the proud owner of Vibrational Bliss Wellness, where I offer sound and vibrational therapy to harmonize the mind, body, and spirit. As a passionate World Music and Jazz enthusiast, I continue to integrate my love for music into all aspects of my life and work.
Louise Coogan, Director
A resident of the Sunshine State for ten years, Louise earned her promotional and marketing wings by working 25 years in the entertainment industry in New York City. She began her career in commercial radio as a music director and on-air personality and later moved into the record side of the industry, joining the Decca Label Group, an arm of Universal Music. She brings her love of music and solution-oriented style to every project. Her warm voice has always afforded her versatility and opportunity. Presently, she hosts Discovery Road, a new music show, on Sarasota’s WSLR and The Morning Show Mondays on WMNF in Tampa.
Ron Kushner, Director
Ron Kushner is a lifelong New Yorker who, after visiting and wintering in Sarasota for many years, moved here with his wife in 2021. A retiree from two careers – computers and information systems, and psychotherapy – he came to an active interest in jazz in late middle age. He describes himself now as being an aspiring jazz pianist. Ron was instrumental in creating Jazz Jam SRQ – a community of people in the Sarasota area who like to play jazz or have an interest in listening to jazz being played in jam sessions.
Danielle La Senna, Director
Danielle La Senna: B.M. 1998 Indiana University, voice; Ed.M. 2007 Harvard Graduate School of Education, arts in education. Danielle has worked to provide opportunities in the arts to students of all ages and abilities, and to cultivate engaged audience members. She was Director of the Evening Division at The Juilliard School (now Juilliard Extension), 2008-2019; and Director of Arts Education at the Sarasota Art Museum 2022-2024. Currently the Executive Director of the Choral Artists of Sarasota, with whom she continues to sing in the alto section.
Carlos Pagán, Director
Carlos Pagán has served on the JSC Board of Directors for several years. His lifelong career and passion has been both public television production and jazz radio programming. Carlos created MetropicsRadio.org as an accompaniment to our jazz club which streams throughout North America. Metropics Radio provides listeners the finest in jazz, Latin and world music commercial-free 24/7.
Nancy Roucher, Director
Nancy Roucher has been involved with the Jazz Club of Sarasota almost from the beginning. Her husband Jerry succeeded Founder Hal Davis as Jazz Club President. Nancy is a professional arts consultant and has an extensive background in arts education and community arts management. She created Jazzlinks: Jazz Connects to History to introduce high school students to the connection between Jazz and African American History through a collaboration with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. She has been active in several community organizations and has written numerous articles on arts education for national magazines and co-authored a children’s book.
Lenore Walsh, Director
I grew up in the suburbs of Boston, Mass. in a small village of Waban a part of the city of Newton. As a young girl I loved listening to the music of the Dorsey Brothers, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, and still love listening to them today.
I moved to Sarasota and joined the Jazz Club and have heard some great music and met many musicians and friends. Music gives me much joy and I feel fortunate to live in Sarasota where it happens.
The Jazz Club of Sarasota has over 1,000 Members and is Growing!
MEMBER BENEFITS INCLUDE:
• Up to $500+ savings in reduced TICKETS
• Weekly Eblasts of Jazz Events
• Issues of "Sarasota Jazz Sounds” Magazine
• Member Support from JCS Office
• Opportunities to serve on committees to plan, promote and manage events
• Free Luxury Bus Transportation to and from The Jazz Cruise
