5/1/15 - Summer is almost here and I have 12 new songs to record with O Som Do Jazz.  Two originals from our last recording "A Kiss for Rio", were placed in the HBO series "Looking".

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3/5/15 - The 7th St. Petersburg Jazz Festival was a great success! ASrtists included legendary vocalist Kevin Mahogany backed by the Helios Jazz Orchestra, amazing B-3 organist & singer Shawn Brown, the NY-based Claudia Quintet and the James Varnado Jazz/Funk Band.  Thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors including the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Chamber Music America, EMIT, the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, SPC, Robin Design and private donors.  Thanks also to the hundreds of jazz supporters who attended our concerts!

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I just found out that Davey Williams and I will be performing for the Crossroads concert at the New College New Music Festival in Sarsota.  Davey is an amazing guitarist, inspiring improvisor and a great guy.  I look forward to that event!

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I just finished managing the SPCJazz Festival (1/26-28/2012.  The final evening was the legendary Brazilian pianist/composer/producer Antonio Adolfo.  His set was jaw-dropping... one of the best performances that I've seen in my life.  Our local musicians (Mark Feinman, Alfredo Rivero & Alejandro Arenas) rehearsed for a month to play Antonio's sophisticated compositions.  They were outstanding.  I am truly blessed to work with such dedicated musicians here in St. Petersburg.  

O Som Do Jazz opened the concert and included Sa Marina & Zabumbaia, compositions by Antonio Adolfo.  I joined Antonio for performances of 'Brazilianized" versions of Easy To Love and Lullaby of Birdland/Garoto.  It was an amazing experience!  Andrea sang Voce e Eu with Antonio and group and was stellar.  She said that she was frightened, but it did not show on stage.

The Helios Jazz Orchestra featured singer Kathy Kosins on 1/27.  As always, Helios rose to the occasion and played their hearts out.   Kathy was excellent.  We worked with her last year on her Betty Boop project.


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It's summer and there is finally time to record the second CD for O Som Do Jazz.  I have 9 original compositions and will probably add a few of my favorites by Toquinho and Moacir Santos to balance out the recording.  Alejandro, Mark, Alfredo, Austin, David sounded great as we finished half of the project with the rhythm section.   More to come....