7th Annual South Beach Jazz Festival Features Renowned Jazz Greats

MIAMI BEACH – Power Access announces the full line-up for the 7th Annual South Beach Jazz Festival (SBJF), January 5-8, 2023. Sixteen (16) performances by world-renowned Jazz greats and local Jazz favorites will take place at venues throughout Miami Beach.

From an exclusive night with Grammy-nominated legendary Jazz pianist Monty Alexander to Mambo Night with the Big 3 Palladium Orchestra’s first-ever appearance in Miami, the 2023 South Beach Jazz Festival brings a weekend full of fabulous music to our shores. To purchase tickets and view the complete schedule, please visit sobejazzfestival.com/tickets.

OPENING NIGHT

Monty Alexander with Luke Sellick & Jason Brown

• Thursday, January 5 at Faena Theater

Grammy-nominated, legendary pianist Monty Alexander headlines Opening Night at the sumptuous, jewel box Faena Theater. Monty’s style includes a range of Jazz and Jamaican musical experiences — the Great American Songbook, the blues, gospel and bebop, calypso and reggae. His endless melody-making, effervescent grooves and sophisticated voicing always delight a global audience drawn to his vibrant personality and soulful message, making him an American Jazz classic. His recently released album, Love Notes, couples his passion for music with his extraordinary piano playing and the intimacy of his wonderful vocals.

SOCIETY JAZZ NIGHT

South Florida Jazz Orchestra directed by Chuck Bergeron with special guest star Grammy-nominated Nicole Henry

• Friday, January 6 at The Bass

Enjoy cocktails, mingle and stroll the museum galleries — all while delighting in the sensational big band music of the South Florida Jazz Orchestra led by bassist Dr. Chuck Bergeron. Featuring our own region’s top jazz musicians, the band swings with pulsating energy propelled by outstanding charts and arrangements that showcase brassy instrumentals and scintillating big band Jazz including a guest appearance by Power Access Scholarship winner, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Eva Carizza.

Powerhouse Grammy-nominated Jazz vocalist Nicole Henry joins as the special guest star for the evening. Among the Jazz world’s most acclaimed performers, Nicole possesses a potent combination of dynamic vocal abilities, impeccable phrasing, and powerful emotional resonance. The event is sponsored by Organika Vodka and Baires Grill.

MAMBO NIGHT IN MIAMI BEACH

Big 3 Palladium Orchestra, featuring Tito Puente Jr., Tito Rodriguez Jr., and Machito Jr.

• Saturday, January 7 at the Miami Beach Bandshell

In a rare opportunity, The legendary music of Tito Puente, Machito and Tito Rodriguez comes to the historic Miami Beach Bandshell for the Big 3 Palladium Orchestra’s South Florida premier. Embodying the spirit of the original and performing the electrifying music of these three celebrated bandleaders, composers, and the fathers of Latin Jazz, their sons, second generation, world- class artists, Tito Rodriguez Jr., Machito Jr., and Tito Puente Jr., alternating as band leaders in an exciting and competitive format, with a 17-piece orchestra, including original band members, take you back to the great, renowned Palladium Ballroom in New York City, in a concert infused with the energy of modern day Miami. The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra brings you the best Latin Jazz this side of Havana!

Many of the South Beach Jazz Festival performances are free and held outdoors. The festival is proud to offer two full days of exciting free concerts on Lincoln Road from international Jazz greats to a showcase for the next generation of Jazz talent.

POWER ACCESS MAIN STAGE

Sammy Figueroa, Mike LeDonne’s Groover Quartet, Wendy Pedersen Quintet, Gafieira Rio Miami and More

• Sunday, January 8 on Lincoln Road

Seven performances jazz up 1100 Lincoln Plaza all day with a series of free performances from Latin Jazz great Sammy Figueroa presenting A Tribute to Cal Trader, world-renowned Jazz pianist, and Hammond organist Mike LeDonne, to South Florida favorite Wendy Pedersen, inspirational locals, to a fabulous festival finale by Gafieira Rio Miami, an authentic Brazilian Big Band that fuses samba, jazz and funk with a powerful 5-piece horn section, plus bass, guitar, drums, percussion, and vocals. The full line-up includes: The Spirit of Goodwill Band, Power Access Scholarship winner Marnel Jean, Inspirational vocalist Aristide Reinoso, Wendy Pedersen Quintet, Sammy Figueroa presents A tribute to Cal Tjader, Mike LeDonne Groover Quartet, and Gafieira Rio Miami.

JAZZ FOR TOMORROW STUDENT STAGE

The Next Generation of Jazz Talent

• Saturday, January 7 at Lincoln Road

Six of South Florida’s top student Jazz organizations perform all afternoon with free performances in addition to Talk and Q&A and a Kiddos Master Class in the morning for a day of Jazz curated by renowned musician and educator Nicole Yarling. The full lineup includes Bill Pettaway Jr., South Florida Center for Percussive Arts, JECC Jazz Bootcamp Ensemble, Broward College Jazz Combo,
Frost Alternative String Ensemble, Miami Beach Senior High School Hi Tide Jazz Band, and Young Musicians Unite Jazz Collective.

In addition to the exceptional musical talent performing, the SBJF is excited to introduce a virtual panel discussion on disability and the arts.

 DISABILITY PRIDE IN THE ARTS PANEL DISCUSSION

• Friday, January 6. Virtual Event

Featuring Mike LeDonne, founder of NYC Disability Pride Parade and R. David New, founder of Power Access and the South Beach Jazz Festival. Moderated by Leticia Latino, host, Back 2 Basics Podcast. Advocates from disability and arts organizations will join Mike, David and Leticia for a fascinating conversation.

David New, Founder & Artistic Director of the South Beach Jazz Festival and President of the Power Access Board of Directors: “Unforgettable and internationally renowned talent combined with highly acclaimed local artists will create a diverse musical lineup that features local, regional and global talent. I am excited to see our festival grow and reach new audiences every year.”

Please visit SobeJazzFestival.com/tickets to purchase tickets and more information.

2023 South Beach Jazz Festival Program Schedule:

• Thursday January 5, 2023, 9 p.m. -11 p.m. (doors open at 8pm)

“Opening Night”: Monty Alexander with Luke Sellick (bass) and Jason Brown (drums)
Location/Address: Faena Theater, 3201 Collins Avenue

• Friday January 6, 2023, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

“Disability Pride in the Arts Panel Discussion”:  Mike LeDonne, founder of NYC Disability Pride Parade, R. David New, founder of Power Access and the South Beach Jazz Festival, and advocates from disability and arts organizations. Moderated by Leticia Latino, host, Back 2 Basics Podcast.

Location/ Address: Virtual

• Friday January 6, 2023, 8 p.m – 10 p.m. (doors open at 7pm)

“Society Jazz Night “:  South Florida Jazz Orchestra directed by Dr. Chuck Bergeron with guest Power Access Scholarship winner, Eva Carizza, and special guest star Nicole Henry.

Location/Address: The Bass, 2100 Collins Avenue

Saturday January 7, 2023, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

“Jazz For Tomorrow Student Stage ”

• Coffee, Talk, and Q&A with veteran composer, producer and performer, Bill Pettaway Jr. moderated by Zach Larmer, Young Musicians Unite.
• Kiddos Master Class – South Florida Center for Percussive Arts with Brandon Cruz
• Broward College Jazz Combo
• JECC Jazz Bootcamp Ensemble (Jazz Education Community Coalition)
• FASE – Frost Alternative String Ensemble with special guest Power Access Scholarship winner Eva Carizza.
• Young Musicians Unite Jazz Collective with special guest Power Access Scholarship winner, Jeremiah Martial
• Power Access scholarship winners Eva Carizza and Jeremiah Martial

Location/Address: Lincoln Road Oval, 700 Lincoln Road at Euclid Avenue

• Saturday January 7, 2023, 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. (doors open at 7pm)

“Mambo Night in Miami Beach” – Big 3 Palladium Orchestra, South Florida premier, featuring Tito Puente Jr., Tito Rodriguez Jr.,and Machito Jr.

Location/Address: Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Avenue

• Sunday, January 8, 2023, 11am – 8 p.m.

“Jazz Hits the Road – Power Access Main Stage”

• Ari Reinoso
• The Spirit of Goodwill Band
• Power Access Scholarship winner Marnel Jean
• Wendy Pedersen Quintet
• Sammy Figueroa presents A Tribute to Cal Tjader
• Mike LeDonne Groover Quartet
• Gafieira Rio Miami
Location/Address: 1100 Lincoln Plaza. 1100 Lincoln Road at Alton Road