Submitted by Kay Renz
A musical smorgasbord of delectable jazzy treats will be provided by Pompano Beach Arts, leading up to the eagerly awaited Jazz Fest Pompano Beach 2024. Established events like Old Town Untapped, Green Market Pompano Beach and the new hit, The Living Room Concert Series will be jazzed up and longtime favorite A Taste of Jazz will feature well-known musician Phil Hinton, In addition Pompano Beach Arts is introducing a new limited edition program, The Gazebo Concert Series in Palm Aire. Learn more about all the events at www.pompanobeacharts.org/events/prelude-to-jazz-fest-2024
Prelude to Jazz Fest Pompano Beach CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Friday, January 5 – Yasmeen Matri at Old Town Untapped
Jazz vocalist Yasmeen Matri is a prodigious singer-songwriter with a remarkable four-octave vocal range. She is one of the performers selected to be part of a new EP project, Pompano Beach Soundtrack, Vol. 1. Her music, deeply rooted in jazz, soul, and R&B, is also infused with a unique Latin flair. Fluent in Portuguese, her Brazilian heritage enriches her sonic palette. Yasmeen will be a guest artist on the main stage during the free street festival which takes place from 6 -10 pm.
Thursday, January 11 – A Taste of Jazz featuring Phil Hinton
Pianist, arranger, orchestrator, and conductor Phil Hinton will join Gold Coast Jazz Society musicians as they explore the origins and history of jazz. This popular series features entertaining and educational encounters with the musical genre, accompanied by wine tastings. Wine tasting 7 – 7:30 pm, followed by music from 7:30 – 8:30 pm at Bailey Contemporary Arts. Tickets $20 adults, $15 Pompano Beach residents.
Friday, January 12 – Living Room Concert Series featuring LaVie
Stellar vocalist LaVie was part of Jazz in the Gardens in 2016 sharing the stage with Usher, Janelle Monae, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Fred Hammond, The Average White Band, Regina Belle and many more. In 2023, she opened for a second time at the festival for Keisha Cole, Sean Paul, Charlie Wilson and Erykah Badu. This dynamic series of intimate concerts by local musicians and vocalists of varying styles is the very essence of South Florida, displaying a dazzling array of cultures and a melting pot of genres. The event starts at 7pm at the Blanche Ely House Museum. Tickets are $10.
Saturday, January 13 – Green Market Shines Spotlight on Young Jazz Musicians
Jazz icon Nicole Yarling is bringing some of the best young jazz artists to perform at the Pompano Beach Green Market. The Jazz Education Community Coalition Band and other student performers will be taking the stage from 10 am-12 pm, offering a glorious selection of standards followed by a student-led community jazz jam (1-3pm) where aspiring musicians of all ages are invited to jam!
Yarling has been instrumental in nurturing the group who has performed throughout the area at the Art Deco Festival; South Dade Cultural Arts Center; Pinecrest Gardens; Art Walk of Hollywood; Olympia Theater and Dade County Auditorium, where they served as opening act for the great Paquito D’ Rivera.
Participation in this outstanding ensemble is available to all young people interested in learning jazz. Through workshops, the emerging artists connect with professional jazz musicians and educators who provide instruction not typically found in traditional school ensemble music programs. Sessions include guided practice sessions, jazz performance protocol and nuance, as well as jazz pedagogy.
Jazz Fest Pompano Beach
Then Jazz Fest kicks off Thursday, January 18, 2024 at the Cultural Center featuring a special jazz concert by Valerie Tyson, followed by Friday and Saturday night performances on the beach by internationally renowned performers. Iconic saxophonist Branford Marsalis leads a stellar lineup of renowned artists including Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton, David Sanchez, and Najee. For more information on Jazz Fest Pompano Beach: https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/events/jazz-fest
About the City of Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department
The mission of the Cultural Affairs Department is to provide cultural programming that includes visual arts, digital media, music, film, theater, dance and public art for the enjoyment and enrichment of residents and visitors to Pompano Beach, Broward County, and the greater South Florida area. The department programs and manages the City’s premiere cultural arts venues including the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, Ali Cultural Arts Center, Bailey Contemporary Arts Center, and the Blanche Ely House Museum. The department also oversees the City’s Public Art Program and the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town grant awarded to the Pompano Beach Crossroads place-making arts initiative.
