The 24th annual Pensacola JazzFest, a free jazz festival, will be held the weekend of March 31-April 1 in Seville Square in historic downtown Pensacola. This annual spring event is administered by the Jazz Society of Pensacola in association with the Arts Council of Northwest Florida and radio station WUWF-FM.
Headliners include veteran seven-string guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, pianist John Colianni, bassist / vocalist Nicki Parrot and vocalist Kevin Mahogany. JazzFest music director Crystal Joy Albert said, “We are pleased to have this outstanding group of headliners. Bucky, John and Nicki are all based in New York and have performed together. Colianni was longtime pianist and music director for late vocalist Mel Torme.'
Pizzarelli has performed jazz in and around New York for decades, including Benny Goodman and even the “Three Suns.” Kevin Mahogany has been named 'America's Number One Vocalist.' And, how many excellent lady bass players do you know who also sing? Ms. Parrot is a marvelous bassist as well as a singer.”
Stephanie Pettis brings a Latin group from Panama City, FL. Local and regional groups round out the daytime program. This free festival is family-oriented as there is a youth stage with face painter and balloon artist for the young and the young at heart. There are food vendors and jazz related merchandise for sale.
Norman Vickers, Jazz Society executive director emeritus said, “We have people who annually come from New Orleans because they remember what it was like at the early New Orleans Jazz Festivals before they got crowded. We still have that friendly, casual ambiance. We even have regular visitors from Canada who schedule vacations in order to attend our JazzFest. And how many jazz festivals do you know which are free? This is our annual gift to the community.”
Bay Beach Inn, in nearby Gulf Breeze, is the official housing headquarters for the JazzFest. Contact 850-932-2214 and ask for “JazzFest Rate.”
www.baybeachinn.com.
For further information, contact Jazz Society of Pensacola, 850-432-9743.
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