EMIT series

Welcome

EMIT series 2023-24

For the past twenty-seven years, over 500 events involving new music, jazz, world music, interactive electronics, improvisation and interdisciplinary art forms that incorporate sound have been featured in the EMIT series.  EMIT (a registered nonprofit arts organization) brings adventurous music and educational activities to the Tampa Bay area.  EMIT is presenter of the annual St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, Recording Arts Program with Boys & Girls Club students at the Royal Theater in Midtown, EMIT Latin Jazz Fest and supporter of the 18-member Helios Jazz Orchestra.

If you enjoy adventurous music and wish to be on our email list, please sign up and we will keep you informed of events!

best,

David Manson, Director
 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

Fred Johnson & Helios Jazz Orchestra
Friday,  December 1
Warehouse Arts District

Join us for "Jazz and Politics: Harmony & Discourse," a groundbreaking concert series presented by EMIT, the Warehouse Arts District and Arts Axis. This concert unites the captivating sound of jazz music with thought-provoking conversations on social issues. Singer Fred Johnson joins the 17-member Helios Jazz Orchestra (directed by David Manson) in a concert of great jazz music. Fred Johnson is a renown jazz singer, but his contribution to the Bay area culture cuts a far broader swath than that. Over the years, he’s been and remains an educator, mentor, social justice activist, peace advocate, arts advocate, healer and community organizer, not to mention an all-around gentleman. The 18-member Helios Jazz Orchestra is directed by Dr. David Manson and has performed on the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Ybor Jazz Fest, WMNF Jazz Fest and St. Petersburg Jazz Festival. The program features jazz favorites including “Pennies From Heaven", "Every Day I Have the Blues", "Almost Like Being in Love" and others.

Preceding the 7:30 PM concert, there is a round table discussion about food insecurity in St. Petersburg at 6:30 PM. Enjoy this outstanding concert at the outdoor ArtsXchange Stage in the Warehouse Arts District in St. Pete! For tickets, see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fred-johnson-and-helios-jazz-orchestra-jazz-and-politics-tickets-755107766657?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete


Past events:

November 3 - Instrument of Hope
Warehouse Arts District

The Warehouse Arts District Association, in collaboration with the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, EMIT, Arts Axis, 7C Music, and WUSF Jazz are excited to announce the "Instrument
of Hope" concert and round table discussion on November 3rd. The Instrument of Hope is a trumpet crafted using components from bullet casings, created as a response to the
tragic Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018. Since its inception, this remarkable trumpet has journeyed across the United States with the purpose of fostering healing and encouraging dialogue on the prevention of gun violence. Composer and Arranger Kim Scharnberg has collected testimonials from former students and survivors. Scharnberg will facilitate a roundtable discussion before the concert. The discussion will feature prominent figures such as State Representative Lindsay Cross, Council Member Brother John Muhammad as well as other influential community leaders. The concert will showcase a talented ensemble of musicians from Tampa Bay, brought together by the Al
Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association and featuring singer Belinda Womack.

The 2-part event will take place at 7C Music and the ArtsXchange Outdoor Theater, located at 515 22nd
Street South, St. Petersburg, on Friday, November 3rd, from 6:30 PM to 9 PM. Ticket pricing options
include General Admission tickets at $15 and discounted tickets for WADA and ADTBJA Members at
$10. secure your tickets, please visit https://warehouseartsdistrict.wildapricot.org/event-5384091
 
Jamie Perlow & Helios Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, October 24 - at 7:30 PM
at the Palladium Side Door

Jamie Perlow joins the 17-piece Helios Jazz Orchestra as guest singer in a special program of big band favorites. Jamie is an extraordinary area singer and songwriter with radio and television credits. Her expressive style, full voice and flawless intonation set her apart. Selections include “I Love Being Here With You", “Orange Colored Sky,” “Too Close for Comfort” and many more! The Helios Jazz Orchestra is directed by Dr. David Manson, and is comprised of some of the finest jazz musicians in the area. Tickets are available at www.mypalladium.org 

EMIT Latin Jazz Fest!

October 5 - José Valentino & Eternal Power
at the Music Center at St. Petersburg College
7:30 PM, $15 advance tickets on Evenbrite, $20 at the door

Experience the brilliance of multi-Latin GRAMMY®, 15-time Global Music®, and Emmy® Award Winner, José Valentino & Eternal Power featuring Robert Acevedo Jr. at the EMIT Latin Jazz Fest on October 5th, 2023 at the Music Center at St. Petersburg College. Celebrate the release of their 20th album "Eternal Power" with world-premiere performances, showcasing futuristic Latin jazz artistry. Artists include José Valentino (flute & saxophone), Robert Acevedo Jr. (percussion), Elias Tona (bass), Jesse Pitts (drums) and Bruno Miranda (piano). Presented by EMIT, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, WADA, ArtsXchange, SPC, Arts Axis & WUSF-FM. The Music Center at St. Petersburg College is located 6605 5th Ave. North in St. Petersburg. For tickets, see this Eventbrite listing: tickets 

October 6 - Gilberto Garcia & The Latin Knights
at the ArtsXchange Stage in the Warehouse Arts District
7:30 PM, $15 advance tickets on Eventbrite, $20 at the door

Gilberto Garcia & The Latin Knights are featured on the 2nd concert of the Latin Jazz Fest on Friday, October 6 at the new ArtsXchange Stage in the Warehouse Arts District in St. Petersburg.
Founded in 1997 by percussionist Gilberto Nino Garcia, The Latin Jazz Knights Band have made a reputation for themselves as one of the leading Latin jazz bands in Tampa Bay. With appearances at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday and The Amelia Island Jazz Festival, The Latin Jazz Knights have wowed listeners with their soulful mix of Afro-Caribbean rhythms. The Latin Jazz Knights deliver a world class experience for dancers and audiences. This concert is presented by EMIT, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, WADA, Arts Axis & WUSF. The ArtsXchange Stage is located at 515 22nd St South in St. Petersburg.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For tickets, see this Eventbrite listing: tickets

 
October 7- Dimas Sanchez and the Afro Latin Jazz Project 
at the ArtsXchange Stage in the Warehouse Arts District
7:30 PM, $15 advance tickets on Eventbrite, $20 at the door
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Kpa6T15bps
Dimas Sanchez and The Afro Latin Jazz Project will perform Jazz, influenced by the sounds of Afro Puerto Rican, Afro Cuban and Afro Brazilian music with the rhythms from The Congo executed by the master percussionist Thobos Lubamba. As a performer Dimas has a vast experience with Afro Caribbean Rhythms and with Jazz. Thobos Lubamba is an internationally recognized master percussionist specializing in Congolese music. Personnel: Mariano Morales - Piano, Mauricio Rodriguez - Bass, Jorge Malave - Saxophone, Jochy Rodriguez - Trumpet, Dimas Sanchez - Drums, Percussion, Ito Colon – Percussion, Thobos Lubamba - African percussion. Presented by EMIT, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, WADA, ArtsXchange, SPC, Arts Axis & WUSF-FM. The ArtsXchange Stage is located at 515 22nd St South in St. Petersburg.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the show. For tickets, see this Eventbrite listing: tickets 
 
October 24 - Jamie Perlow & Helios Jazz Orchestra
at the Palladium Side Door
7:30 PM, $30 general admission
Jamie Perlow joins the 17-piece Helios Jazz Orchestra as guest singer in a special program of big band favorites. Perlow is an extraordinary area singer and songwriter with radio and television credits. Her expressive style, full voice and flawless intonation set her apart. Selections include “I Love Being Here With You", “Orange Colored Sky,” “Too Close for Comfort” and many more! The Helios Jazz Orchestra is directed by Dr. David Manson, and is comprised of some of the finest jazz musicians in the area. Tickets are available at www.mypalladium.org


November 28 - Eliane Dame & Helios Jazz Orchestra
at the Music Center at St. Petersburg College
7:30 PM, $20 general admission

The woman Time Out Chicago calls "a jazz dynamo" and "a gem in the city's vocal jazz scene" has been turning heads at venerable jazz venues from coast to coast, including multiple appearances at The Chicago Jazz Festival, The Rainbow Room and 54 Below in NYC, and Herb Alpert's Vibrato Jazz Grill in LA, to name but a few. A graduate of The Theater Repertory Program at California State Northridge, Elaine worked for years in Chicago’s theater scene before turning her whole focus to jazz. She’s a singer who understands the importance of stage presence. It’s no wonder the Chicago Reader wrote, “Ms.Dame has a winning stage presence and chameleon-like vocal flexibility.” The 18-member Helios Jazz Orchestra is directed by Dr. David Manson and has performed on the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Ybor Jazz Fest, WMNF Jazz Fest and St. Petersburg Jazz Festival. The Music Center at St. Petersburg College is located at 6605 5th Ave. North in St. Petersburg.
 

 

EMIT EDUCATION

Ongoing Recording Arts Program (RAP) with Boys & Girls Club students at the Royal Theater

Through the support of the Pinellas Community Foundation, RAP is a educational collaboration with EMIT, the Boys & Girls Club and the MIRA program at St. Petersburg College.  Pro Tools is the industry standard for professional recording. 

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