Looking ahead: Southwest Florida jazz preview

The 2016-17 jazz concert season will continue through May, bolstered by the gradual arrival of the snowbirds. Here is a rundown of noteworthy jazz events, principally in the Sarasota to Naples territory, from now through January.

• Sunday, November 27 – The Dave Koz “smooth jazz” Christmas tour, with Jonathan Butler, Kenny Lattimore and singer Valerie Simpson. Hayes Hall at Artis Naples, 7 p.m.
• Monday, December 5 – The Havana Cuba All-Stars, Hayes Hall at Artis Naples, 8 p.m.,  Also November 27 at the Straz Center in Tampa, 4 p.m., Ferguson Hall.

  

  James Suggs

• Wednesday, December 7 – Trumpeter James Suggs’ tribute to Miles Davis. A South County Jazz Club concert at the Venice Art Center, 7 p.m.
• Monday, December 12 – Multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan returns to the Charlotte County Jazz Society‘s Artists Series. Cultural Center Theater, Port Charlotte. 7 p.m.

  

  Kenny Washington

• Wednesday, December 14 – Singer Kenny Washington joins the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra for the sextet’s monthly All That Jazz concert. Daniels Pavilion, 6 and 8:30 p.m.
• Friday, December 16 – Guitarist Nate Najar’s Holiday Special. A South County Jazz Club concert at the Glenridge Performing Arts Center, Sarasota, 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 4 – British guitarist Martin Taylor joins the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra for the sextet’s monthly All That Jazz concert. Daniels Pavilion, 6 and 8:30 p.m.
• Monday, January 9 – The Sarasota Jazz Project in concert. It’s Big Band Night in the Charlotte County Jazz Society‘s Artists Series. Cultural Center Theater, Port Charlotte. 7 p.m.

  

  June Garber, Tom Ellison

• Friday, January 13 – Toronto-based singer June Garber with the Tom Ellison Quartet. A South County Jazz Club concert at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice, 2 p.m. 
• Thursday. January 19 – The Great Guitars, with Larry Coryell, Russell Malone and Nate Najar. A South County Jazz Club concert at the Venice Performing Arts Center. 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, January 19 – The Jazz at Lincoln Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Sarasota, 8 p.m.
• Friday, January 20 – Saxophonist Harry Allen guests with the Eddie Metz Jr.-Nicki Parrott-Rossano Sportiello International Jazz Trio. Jazz Club of Sarasota concert, Riverview High School Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. 

  

  Veronica Swift

• Friday, January 27 – Singer Veronica Swift with the Dan Miller-Lew Del Gatto Quintet. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers, 7 p.m.
• Sunday, January 29 – Pianist Dick Hyman performs the movie music of Henry Mancini, Daniels Pavilion at Artis Naples, 3 p.m.

Several local restaurants (including J.D.’s in Port Charlotte, Fandango in Sarasota, The Roadhouse and The Barrel Room at Twisted Vine Bistro in Ft. Myers and The Side Door Jazz Club at Slate’s in Cape Coral, offer jazz steadily). 

A variety of “Jazz at Two” Friday matinee concerts sponsored all season by the Jazz Club of Sarasota and the South County Jazz Club also keep things swinging for jazz lovers.