Past Festivals
As we prepare for upcoming 15th annual St. Petersburg Jazz Festival in 2024, take a look at our past artists.
The 2023 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival
Free Vocal Jazz Workshop with Alexis Cole
Wednesday, February 22
Singer and educator Alexis Cole presents a free vocal jazz workshop for all. She heads the Jazz Vocal program at SUNY Purchase College and William Paterson University, where her students have been winners of the Sarah Vaughan Competition, the Ella Fitzgerald Competition and Downbeat Student Awards, among others.
Alexis Cole & Helios Jazz Orchestra
Thursday, February 23
7:30 PM at the Palladium Theater
Presented by EMIT
“We’ve been waiting for the next great singer to come along, and finally…Alexis” – Swing Journal Japan
Called “one of the great voices of today,” Alexis Cole has been compared to classic jazz singers such as Sarah Vaughan and Anita O’Day. Her luxurious voice and innovative interpretations make her an instant favorite with audiences of all ages. Cole is the recipient of a Swing Journal Gold Disk award, and was a winner of the NY Jazzmobile and Montreux Jazz Festival vocal competitions, and a finalist of the Sarah Vaughan Competition.
Zach Bartholomew Trio - A Chick Corea Tribute
Friday, February 24
7:30 PM at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts
Join award-winning pianist Zachary Bartholomewand his trio (Paul Gavin, drums; Mauricio Rodriguez, bass) in the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival as they deliver a captivating concert remembering legendary jazz icon Chick Corea.
Jason Charos Sextet - Celebrating Wayne Shorter
Saturday, February 25
7:30 PM at American Stage
Presented by EMIT & American Stage
Equally renowned for his compositions as for his saxophone playing, Wayne Shorter has contributed numerous compositions to the jazz canon while participating in some of the major changes in jazz music over the last 40 years, and has received nine Grammy Awards for his recordings.
Jason Charos is a sought-after jazz trumpeter based in Miami. In 2019, he recorded in the trumpet section on Lynch’s GRAMMY Award-winning big band album Omni-American Book Club.
2022 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival Schedule
Artists included Rafael Pereira, Jose Valentino Ruiz, O Som Do Jazz, James Suggs/Austin Vickrey Sextet, JAZZradioHEAD with Pete Carney, Emma Hedrick & Helios Jazz Orchestra and the Chris Dingman Trio.
2020 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival
O Som Do Jazz with Jose Valentino Ruiz & Rafael Pereira
The Conglomerate
Leon Foster Thomas with Tal Cohen and his quartet
Alexis Cole and the Helios Jazz Orchestra
Booker Little Tribute led by Jason Charos
2019 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival
Valerie Gillespie Ensemble
Remembering Sam Rivers with Rivers Lost
Nestor Torres Quartet
Helios Jazz Orchestra with Alexis Cole
Martin Bejerano Trio
2018 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival
Tal Cohen Trio
Jeff Rupert Quintet with Veronica Swift
Shawn Brown Quintet
Helios Jazz Orchestra with Whitney James & Chuck Wansley
Gabriel Hernandez Trio
2017 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival
Robotman
Martin Bejerano Trio
Joshua Breakstone Trio
The Helios Jazz Orchestra with Whitney James & Fred Johnson
Jason Lee Bruns & the SPC Jazz Profs
2016 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival
James Varnado Jazz/Funk Band at the Side Door at the Palladium Theater.
Bird and Diz... a tribute to Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie led by James Suggs and Austin Vickrey at the Side Door at the Palladium Theater.
free workshop with Fred Johnson on Sound & Healing in the Music Department at St. Petersburg College. Admission is free.
Silvano Monasterios Trio featuring the compositions of Silvano Monasterios joined by Jon Dadurka on bass & Rodolfo Zuñiga on drums.
Fred Johnson and the Helios Jazz Orchestra at the Music Center at St. Petersburg College.
The Post-Festival Jazz Jam at the Manhattan Casino. Hosted by the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association.
2015 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival
James Varnado Jazz/Funk Band at the ARTpool courtyard
Shawn Brown Group at the Palladium Theater Side Door
The Claudia Quintet at the SPC Music Center
Kevin Mahogany & Helios Jazz Orchestra at the SPC Music Center
Post-Festival Jazz Jam at the Manhattan Casino
2014 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival
Helios Jazz Orchestra Plays Spy Music with singers Denise Moore, Bryan Hughes, Andrea Manson & Tomika Wldon
LaRue Nickelson Quartet with Patrick Bettison, Elias Tona & Ian Goodman
O Som Do Jazz with Andrea Manson, Alejandro Arenas, Mark Feinman, Alfredo Rivero, Austin Vickrey & David Manson
Viva Cal! led by Frankie Pineiro with Richard Drexler, Hector Mayoral, John Jenkins & Cole Hazlitt
Antonio Adolfo Quintet with Alejandro Arenas, Alfredo Rivero, Mark Feinman & special guest Austin Vickrey
Sasha Tuck Quartet at Cafe Alma
2013 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival
Whitney James and the Helios Jazz Orchestra
Tribute to Cannonball & Coltrane with Jeremy Powell, Austin Vickrey, LaRue Nickelson, Alejandro Arenas, Ian Goodman
O Som Do Jazz
Paul Krueger Quartet with John Lake, Alejandro Arenas & Ian Goodman
Marty Morell Group with Michiko Ohta, Benjamin Kramer, Richard Drexler, Jeff Rupert, Nathan Colbert
2012 SPC Jazz Festival
Alfredo Rivero Trio & La Lucha
Kathy Kosins and the Helios Jazz Orchestra
O Som Do Jazz and Antonio Adolfo
2011 SPC Jazz Festival
Denise Moore and the Helios Jazz Orchestra
The Miami-based Alex Berti Trio with Pablo Gil (saxophone) & Martin Bejerano
The Ronnie Burrage Trio with saxophonist Alain Bradette and bassist Doug Mathews
2010 SPC Jazz Festival
Bassist John Lindberg, The Powell Brothers Quintet, Guisando Caliente & Helios Jazz Orchestra with Sasha Tuck & Dale Williams
2009 SPC Jazz Festival
Sue Terry and the Helios Jazz Orchestra
Manigua with Alfredo Rivero & O Som Do Jazz
Sue Terry Quartet with Richard Drexler, Mark Neuenschwander and Tracy Alexander
If you love jazz, then clear your calendar for April 1 - 6 for the 2024 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival!