Celebrating over 30 years of live jazz...


Founded in 1983, the mission of Gainesville Friends of Jazz is to support, promote and increase public awareness, interest, participation and education in jazz, America's music.

Jazz at unitarian fellowship...

The Gainesville Friends of Jazz Concert Series began in 1983.

Some of the national artists presented at the Gainesville Friends of Jazz Concert Series have included clarinetists Evan Christopher, Buddy DeFranco, Ron Hockett, Ken Peplowski and Allan Vaché, guitarists Jimmy Bruno, Larry Coryell, Bucky Pizzarelli and Robin Nolan, pianists Monty Alexander, Kevin Bales, Dick Hyman, Ralph Sutton and Ross Tompkins, saxophonists Eric Alexander, Harry Allen, Turk Mauro, Gary Smulyan and Ira Sullivan, vibraphonists Peter Appleyard, John Cocuzzi and Chuck Reed, violinist Johnny Frigo, vocalists Giacomo Gates and Mark Murphy, along with performances by regional and local artists such as The Bill Allred Classic Jazz Band, Nick DeCarlis with The Frank Sullivan Trio and Gary Langford & The Jazz Project.

Gainesville Friends of Jazz also pays tribute to female jazz performers at the jazz concert series.  Some of the female artists featured at past concerts have included flutists Holly Hofmann and Ali Reyerson, pianists Toshiko Akiyoshi, Lynne Arriale, Joanne Brackeen and Cecilia Coleman, saxophonists Jane Ira Bloom and Karolina Strassmayer, and vocalists Dena DeRose, Shelia Jordan, Nancy Kelly and Robin McKelle. 

In addition, Gainesville Friends of Jazz highlights African American musicians at the jazz concert series  Some of the African American artists featured at past concerts have included bassist Milt Hinton, guitarists Russell Malone and Nathen Page, pianists Doug Carn, Kenny Drew, Jr. and Marcus Roberts, saxophonists Branford Marsalis and Frank Wess, trombonists Vincent Gardner and Wycliffe Gordon, trumpeters Scotty Barnhart and Jean Davis, vibraphonist Jason Marsalis and vocalist Denise Thimes.

Finally, Gainesville Friends of Jazz presents Latin jazz at the jazz concert series.  Some of the Latin Jazz artists featured at past concerts have included percussionist Sammy Figueroa and pianists Silvano Monasterios, Marlow Rosado and Chuchito Valdes.

 

 


Ed Calle

 


Evan Christopher