JAZZ JAM SESSION  &
THE PRESIDENT SAYS

     Thanks, to Gene and Luci Mandani for the terrific concert with Pepper and Fine Thyme at the Cove Cay Golf Club. The Scholarship Fund was the winner as well with over $1,000 collected at the free concert. A great start for the summer which was followed up by a second free concert sponsored by Jay Hart, Joe and Sandi DeSalvo, Charlie and Barbara Jacobs and Lynn Shaw. Once again, the Scholarship Fund was increased by another $1,000 in collections. The following concert in September was the ever-popular “Florida Boyz” with a couple of changes in personnel due to health reasons. The reformed band still had Herb Bruce and Dick Maley as original members but added Mike Evans on the banjo chair, Charlie Bertini in the front line on trumpet, and Don Mobsick on string bass. No drop-off in talent and entertainment. The concert is sponsored by the Suncoast Jazz Festival to show their appreciation for the following of friends in the Jazz Society.

     The fall assortment will bring back a familiar band “The Jazz Phools” who have been entertaining Tampa Bay jazz clubs and senior residences for many years. Their program will include the standards of the early jazz era including tunes performed by Louis Armstrong. Their interplay between musicians adds to the enjoyment for the audience. As usual, the society does not compete with the Suncoast Jazz Festival in November but picks up the beat in December with the annual Christmas Party at the Dunedin Country Club. A new venue for society but a chance to enjoy the music of Pepper and Fine Thyme.

     Our program chairperson, Barry Potts has a stellar lineup for the coming year including Bob Price and Friends, Talk of the Town Jazz band from Green Bay Wisconsin, Davy Jones longtime favorite of the society, The Midir Brothers with Herb Bruce and concluding the spring concert series with Jay Mueller. Much to anticipate for the Suncoast Jazz Society members and friends.