St. Petersburg Jazz Festival

As we prepare for upcoming 18th annual St. Petersburg Jazz Festival in 2026, take a look at our past artists.

"Tal Cohen is among the best of a very few young inspired pianists I’ve encountered in my travels… Tal’s playing is full of passion, focus and creativity”- Joe Lovano 
 

 

Tal Cohen is a Grammy award winning jazz pianist with accolades including winning the Barry Harris National Piano Competition and the prestigious Freedman Fellowship held at the Sydney Opera House to a sold-out crowd. In recent times Cohen has been playing around the globe with Terence Blanchard, Greg Osby, Ignacio Berroa, Joe Lovano and others. He currently leads his own ensemble which has performed at iconic jazz festivals and venues that include Jazzbez Jazz Festival (Ukraine), Detroit Jazz Festival, Melbourne Jazz Festival (Australia), Sopot Jazz Festival ( Poland) as well as a week residency at the Black Cat (San Francisco). His most recent album – “Gentle Giants” has received international acclaim and has included a 4-star review from Downbeat Magazine. Other musicians in the trio include Vince Dupont (bass) and Brandon Lee Lewis (drums). Tickets are available at the Palladium Theater at https://mypalladium.org/

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. She records for Motéma Music, NY, Chesky Records, NY and Venus Records, Japan. Her eleven recordings, which feature musical luminaries such as Fred Hersch, Eric Alexander, Matt Wilson, Harry Pickens, Don Braden and Pat LaBarbara, have received high praise in the jazz press and are spun on radio world-wide. In addition to her many performances at top jazz venues like Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, The Jazz Standard, Blues Alley, and Billboard Live, she’s also performed at Avery Fisher Hall and the Kennedy Center and had been a featured soloist with the Boston Pops and NY Philharmonic.  Tickets are available at the Palladium Theater at https://mypalladium.org/

In its 15th season, the 18-member Helios Jazz Orchestra, directed by Dr. David Manson, has been featured on the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, and Ybor Jazz Festival. It is comprised of top area jazz musicians who love the sound of a roaring jazz big band!

The St. Petersburg Jazz Festival
Wednesday, April 2 at 7:30 PM
Uri Gurvich-Rodolfo Zuniga Quartet
Palladium Theater Side Door

“Transcends borders” - LA Times 

NYC based saxophonist, Uri Gurvich, and LA based drummer, Rodolfo Zuniga, have been collaborating for many years on numerous projects and perform regularly in Europe, South America and the States. Gurvich and Zuniga, both composers and critically acclaimed bandleaders on their own, decided to join forces for this special Quartet where they can workshop and present their original, global-influenced, contemporary jazz, mainly evoking elements from their native countries, Israel and Costa Rica. 

Since their arrival in New York and Los Angeles, Uri and Rodolfo have individually collaborated with many notable jazz artists such as: Esperanza Spalding, John Zorn, Billy Cobham, Mingus Big Band, Lionel Loueke, Elio Villafranca, Avishai Cohen, Jorge Rossy, Paquito D'Rivera, Uri Caine, Anat Cohen, Gary Campbell, Ira Sullivan, Bill Mays, Stephen Scott, Troy Roberts, Bill Cunliffe, Martin Bejerano, Camila Meza, John Hart, Michael Dease, and many others. 

Acclaimed Latin GRAMMY nominated pianist, composer, and educator 
Martin Bejerano has performed/recorded with numerous jazz luminaries, including his 20 year association with GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award-winning drummer Roy Haynes, Christian McBride Band, Dave Holland, Pat Metheny, Ignacio Berroa, Ron Carter, Dafnis Prieto, Russell Malone,, Luciana Souza, Jonathan Kreisberg, and Roxana Amed, performing at nearly all of the major jazz clubs, festivals and venues around the world, as well as performing on the Late Show with David Letterman. He is featured on over 25 recordings, including his most recent Latin GRAMMY nominated album #CubanAmerican, the GRAMMY nominated Fountain of Youth with the Roy Haynes Quartet, and Roxana Amed’s Latin GRAMMY nominated albums Ontology and Unánime.

Since graduating from Berklee in 2002, bassist Peter Slavov has performed and/or recorded with world-renowned artists, such as Joe Lovano, Quincy Jones, George Garzone, Danilo Perez, Chucho Valdes, Kevin Mahogany, Simon Shaheen and Elio Villafranca, among many others.

Tickets are available at the Palladium Theater at https://mypalladium.org/

St. Peterburg Jazz Festival
Thursday, April 3 at 7:30 PM
The Pershounin Quartet
Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement

Bassist Alex Pershounin brings his world-class Pershounin Quartet to St. Petersburg for a unique concert of his original compositions inspired from Latin, Jazz, World and Folk music. Artists on this concert include Alex Pershounin (bass), Ben Grier (saxophones), Edward White (guitar) and Tim Murray (drums & percussion). The program includes works like "Tales of the East" transporting the audience into the West African polyrhythmic environment, exploring multiple meters and microtonal melodies inspired by the mugham techniques of the Azerbaijani tradition."Song for Daniel" draws upon the rhythmically driving texture of the Brazilian samba while “Chernie” is inspired by Russian folk music fusing improvisation with progressive tempo acceleration and intensity.

Alexander Pershounin has been hailed as a versatile virtuoso bassist equally fluent in classical, jazz, and commercial music settings. He has performed on Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Pori Jazz Festival in Finland, Europe’s Jazz Contest in Belgium, and New Orleans Jazz Fest, among many others. His performing credits include Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, Bob Berg and Ray Charles to Itzhac Perlman and Yo Yo Ma. He also has recorded several commercially released albums as a soloist and ensemble musician. Dr. Pershounin teaches bass at the University of Florida. 

Admission is $30 in advance, $35 at the door available at the MAACM website: https://my.museumaacm.org/2495/2860

FREE JAZZ WORKSHOPS!
Thursday, April 3 at St. Petersburg College in HS 109
6605 5th Ave. North in St. Petersburg

10:30 AM – Modern Jazz Concepts with Uri Gurvich and Rodolfo Zuniga 
12:30 PM – Jazz Vocal Approaches with Alexis Cole
2024 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival

Alexis Cole & Helios Jazz Orchestra 
Tuesday, April 2 at 7:30 PM
Palladium Side Door

“We’ve been waiting for the next great singer to come along, and finally…Alexis” –Swing Journal Japan

Mauricio Rodriguez & The MJR Latin Project"
Wednesday, April 3 at 7:30 PM
Palladium Side Door
 

This performance will mix original work composed by Mauricio J. Rodriguez with a mixture of the new Cuban contemporary music and some Latin jazz staples.  Joining this performance will be Zachary Bornheimer- saxophone, Pablo Arencibia - piano, Andy Forner- drums, Mauricio Rodriguez- bass. Tickets are $25 available at www.mypalladium.org .

Markus Gottschlich Trio
Thursday, April 4 at 7:30 PM
Music Center at St. Petersburg College

“His compositional skills and his dazzling pianism give full rein to his expressive spirit, as

heard on his latest recording, Found Sounds” –Musically Speaking.

Making a St. Petersburg Jazz Festival debut, the Trio with Markus, Michael Washington (drums) and Noam Tanzer (bass) unveils premieres alongside selections from the albums "Found Sounds" and "Of Places Between." With a global presence on festival stages from Europe to the US to Asia, Markus Gottschlich’s Trio promises an evening of jazz that transcends borders, showcasing a distinctive artistry that resonates across continents.

Brazilian Percussion Workshop with Rafael Pereira - FREE!
Thursday, April 4
12:30 – 1:45 PM at SPC-Gibbs campus in room HS 109 at St. Petersburg College 

O Som Do Jazz with special guests Rafael Pereira & Jose Valentino Ruiz
Friday, April 5 at 7:30 PM
Warehouse Arts District located at 515 22nd St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

O Som Do Jazz features Rio de Janeiro singer Andrea Moraes Manson and a crew of experienced musicians performing samba-jazz, Bossa Nova, Balanço, Baião and MPB.  Special guest Rafael Pereira's (percussion)

Musicians on this program include Andrea Moraes Manson, Jose Valentino Ruiz, Bruno Miranda, Alejandro Arenas, David Manson, Rafael Pereira & Mark Feinman. Thanks to support from the City of St. Petersburg, EMIT & Florida Arts and Culture, this concert is FREE!

Hot Club SRQ
Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 PM
Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement
located at 355 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
 

Hot Club SRQ plays Gypsy Jazz that is deeply rooted in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. This music simply swings and is full of beauty and romance! The quartet emulates the style of what the French call "Jazz Manouche" and "Le Jazz Hot" in the style of Sinti virtuosos and the "Quintette du Hot Club de France." 

 

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!