EMIT series

EMIT series 2024-25

For the past twenty-nine years, over 600 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:

The Clearwater Latin Jazz Fest featuring award-winning musicians from Brazil, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela and the U.S., including Renesito Avich & Friends, Mauricio Rodriguez and the MJR Latin Project and O Som Do Jazz with Andrea Moraes Manson and José Valentino Ruiz will come together for a FREE concert of Latin Jazz. A ticket is not needed and seating will be first come first served. Both events are presented by EMIT and Ruth Eckerd Hall with support from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the City of Clearwater and South Arts. 

Brazilian Festival
Saturday, May 18
Water Works in Tampa
 

EMIT is a sponsor of the first Brazilian Festival in Tampa. The celebration of Brazilian culture includes bands, DJs, capoeira, samba dancing, a carnaval march, food trucks and more.

Jazz in the Stacks with the EMIT 5tet
Tuesday, April 23
West St. Petersburg Community Library
6:30 PM

EMIT sponsors a free concert of Latin jazz in the library!


 

Ronnie Dee & Helios Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, February 27 at 7:30 PM
presented by EMIT

5th generation vocalist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Ronnie Dee is a consummate entertainer who puts his body, heart and soul into every performance. As leader of several Tampa Bay bands, he plays all genres of music but has a special love for the music of Frank Sinatra and his pals in the Rat Pack. This concert features several selections from the legendary recording Sinatra at the Sands as well as other Rat Pack, blues and jump songs.

St. Petersburg Jazz Festival - April 2 - 6
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

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.

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!

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. Bassist, composer, producer, and educator, Mauricio J Rodriguez is one of the finest musicians of his generation in Cuba. He was member of Fervet Opus jazz quartet, one of the most important Latin jazz bands in Cuba in the 80’s, touring around the world to many festivals and concert including The Havana Latin Jazz Festival, Jamboree, Bratislava, Spain, and Moscow, among others. He now teaches at Saint Leo University. Joining this performance will be Zachary Bornheimer- saxophone, Pablo Arencibia - piano, Andy Forner- drums, Mauricio Rodriguez- bass.

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.

Embark on a highly entertaining evening with the Markus Gottschlich Trio, led by the internationally acclaimed pianist hailing from Vienna, Austria. Described by Albuquerque Magazine as "a lyrical, high-energy, and risk-taking artist," Markus Gottschlich, a distinguished Steinway Artist, infuses his performances with “melodically remarkable ideas“, as applauded by The Standard, Austria.

Making a St. Petersburg Jazz Festival debut, the Trio 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.

O Som Do Jazz with Rafael Pereira & Jose Valentino Ruiz
Friday, April 5 at 7:30 PM
Warehouse Arts District
 

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. O Som Do Jazz (the sound of jazz in Portuguese) recaptures the grace, energy and spirit of Brazilian music. With 4 CDs and original music placed on BBC, Fox and HBO, O Som Do Jazz is a Florida favorite with performances on the Miami International Jazz Fest, DTO Jazz Fest, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Mo

d Miami, Pensacola Jazz Fest and more. Special guest Rafael Pereira's (percussion). performing resume includes the Grammys, SNL, Janelle Monae, Prince, India Arie, Bruno Mars, Zee Avi, Russel Gunn, and many more. Jose Valentino Ruiz is an EMMY Award Winner, a multi-GRAMMY Award Nominated artist-producer-engineer, a multi-instrumentalist, composer and professor at the University of Florida.

Hot Club SRQ
Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 PM
Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement

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 heart of this ensemble is the violin and vocals of Keven Aland, the guitar of Jon McLaughlin, bass playing of Glenn Stevenson and world renowned Brazilian valve trombonist François de Lima. Their string jazz ensemble has been thoughtfully cultivated and crafted for over a decade. There is a genuine warmth and connection that is unique to this ensemble. This group can swing ferociously then suddenly hypnotize you with a beautiful ballad.

 

David Manson
Director
St. Petersburg Jazz Festival
mansond@spcollege.edu

 

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. EMIT events are funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Florida Division of Arts and Culture.

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