Mario ‘Manchito Jr.' Grillo, Tito Rodriguez Jr., and Tito Puente Jr. are the Big 3 Palladium Orchestra making their Miami premiere at the South Beach Jazz Festival Saturday night.
The South Beach Jazz Festival opens this weekend with a stellar lineup including the sons of some of Latin music’s most celebrated bandleaders and some of South Florida’s most renowned jazz performers.
What is expected to be a highlight on Saturday evening at the Miami Beach Bandshell are the sons of Latin jazz bandleader royalty, Tito Rodriguez Jr., Tito Puente Jr., and Mario ‘Manchito Jr.’ Grillo, who will alternate as band leaders in an exciting and competitive format. With them will be a 17-piece orchestra, including original band members, re-living the renowned Palladium Ballroom in New York City. “Mambo Night in Miami Beach: Big 3 Palladium Orchestra” is at 8 p.m. at the Miami Beach Bandshell.
Jazz vocalist Wendy Pedersen performs on Sunday, Jan. 8.
The 7th Annual South Beach Jazz Festival (SBJF) opens Thursday with Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Monty Alexander at the jewel box Faena Theater. On Friday, Jan. 6 at The Bass, the South Florida Jazz Orchestra, directed by Chuck Bergeron features special guest vocalist Nicole Henry.
The idea of the Night at the Bass is for jazz lovers to 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 Bergeron. Joining the band will be Power Access Scholarship winner, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Eva Carizza and Henry as the special guest star for the evening.
Many of the South Beach Jazz Festival performances are free and held outdoors. The festival also features two full days of free concerts on Lincoln Road
The 7th Annual South Beach Jazz Festival (SBJF) opens Thursday with Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Monty Alexander.
Seven performances jazz up 1100 Lincoln Plaza all day on Sunday, Jan. 6 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.
On Friday, Jan. 6 at The Bass, the South Florida Jazz Orchestra, directed by bassist Chuck Bergeron (center) features special guest vocalist Nicole Henry Iright) and Power Access Scholarship winner, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Eva Carizza (left).
On Saturday, it's the next generation of jazz performers. 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 musical talent performing, the SBJF is excited to introduce a virtual panel discussion on disability and the arts.
2023 South Beach Jazz Festival Program Schedule:
Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, 9 to. 11 p.m. (doors open at 8 p.m.)
"Opening Night"
Monty Alexander with Luke Sellick (bass) and Jason Brown (drums).
Location/Address: Faena Theater, 3201 Collins Avenue.
Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, 3 to 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, Jan. 6, 2023, 8 to 10 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.)
"Society Jazz Night"
South Florida Jazz Orchestra directed by Chuck Bergeron with guest Power Access Scholarship winner, Eva Carizza, and special guest star Nicole Henry.
Location/Address: The Bass, 2100 Collins Avenue.
Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, 10 a.m. to 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, Yound 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.
Location/Address: Lincoln Road Oval, 700 Lincoln Road at Euclid Avenue.
Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m
"Jazz Hits the Road - Power Access Main Stage"
- Ari Reinoso
- The Spirit of Goodwill Band
- Power Access Scholarship winners 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.
For information and tickets prices, go to www.sobejazzfestival.com
