We are delighted that the Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA) & EMIT are teaming up to present the 2026 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival! The festival is April 8 - 11 at the Warehouse Arts District ArtsXchange Stage.
Concerts:
4/8 - Alexis Cole & the Helios Jazz Orchestra
4/9 - Johnbern Thomas Quintet & Randy Bordon Trio
4/10 - Markus Gottschlich Trio & Hot Club SRQ
4/11 - Martin Bejerano #CubanAmerican Trio featuring special Guest Dafnis Prieto & Downtown Trio Plus One
Workshops:
4/7 - Alexis Cole Jazz Vocal Workshop, 11 AM at St. Petersburg College
4/9 - Thomas Johnbern Workshop, 12:30 PM at St. Petersburg College
More information is coming soon!
Craig Kallas & the Helios Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, February 17 at 7:30 PM
Palladium Side Door
Originally from South Africa, Craig was featured in a variety of shows in casinos and with The Barnyard Theatre Company’s touring productions for three years. A stint with premier big band The Sticky Triggers deepened his love for the Great American Songbook, performing at special events around the country. He then spent three years at sea, performing in main theatre shows and jazz bands aboard Costa and Holland America cruise lines. He now calls St. Petersburg home and continues to perform regularly throughout the area. Tickets are available at www.mypalladium.org.
Past Events:
Gustavo Matamoros & Sound Arts
Thursday, November 20
HS 116 at St. Petersburg College
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Gustavo Matamoros is a sound artist and composer who has lived and worked in Miami since 1979. His compositions have earned two Venezuelan music awards and have been performed by prestigious ensembles in his home country. His sound art installations have been commissioned and exhibited throughout the U.S. and Europe by notable institutions, including the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Miami-Dade Art in Public Places, Atlantic Center for the Arts, the Polk Museum of Art, and the Deering Estate. Matamoros has performed at prominent venues such as the Dali Museum, the Lloyd Foundation, and the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery in West Florida, as well as Roulette and Experimental Intermedia in New York City, the Experimental Sound Studio in Chicago, and LAXart and Mills College in California. Since 1988, Gustavo Matamoros has served as the artistic director of the Subtropics Organization.
Gumbi Ortiz a 30 year veteran of The Al Di Meola Group, was born and raised in The South Bronx, Gumbi has Recorded, performed, and/or Produced, some of today’s most diverse and acclaimed musicians on the Planet including : Phillippe Saisse, Jeff Berlin, Steve Vai, Nat Adderley, Joel Taylor, Cyril Neville, Irvin Mayfield, Bill Summers, Armand Sabal-Lecco, Senri Kawaguchi, Chick Corea, Gato Barbieri, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, The J.U.S.T.I.C.E League,Jeff Lorber, Dave Weckl, Eric Marienthal, Brandon Field ,Jay Beckenstein, Barry Miles, Joel Rosenblatt ,The Black Honkeys, Nick Brignola, Jim Pepper, Ted Shumate, Fred Johnson, Irene Cara, kamau kenyatta, Walter Booker, Jimmy Cobb, Rachel Z, Lenny White, kei Akagi,Leonid Agutin, Roman Miroshnichenko, Rick Braun, The Allen Carman Project, Tom Brechtlein, Luis Alicea, New Groove City, The Electrik Rendezvous, Marc Quiñones and Sammy Figueroa, to name but a few.
Soul Jazz with the Jeremy Carter Quintet
Saturday, November 8 at 7:30 PM
Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement (MAACM)
Saxophonist Jeremy Carter teams up with trumpeter James Suggs to lead a stellar quintet, including guitarist LaRue Nichelson, bassist Alejandro Arenas, and drummer Jean Bolduc. Get ready to groove to classic tunes by legendary artists Lee Morgan, Stanley Turrentine, Nat & Cannonball Adderley, Eddie Harris, and many more. Don't miss this vibrant musical experience presented by EMIT.
Kasondra Rose & Helios Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, November 4
Side Door at the Palladium Theater
7:30 PM
Kasondra is an accomplished vocalist with two albums of original music and an extensive dance background. Her vocal talents range from folk, rock, pop, sultry jazz, to musical theater. Kasondra’s talent has taken her across the country – from singing in basement indie shows to tap dancing on an off-off Broadway stage in New York City. Her favorite credits include being a lead vocalist for The Florida Bjorkestra and the White Queen in Jobsite Theater’s original production of Alice.
The Helios Jazz Orchestra, directed by Dr. David Manson, has been featured on the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, and Ybor City Jazz Festival. It is comprised of top area jazz musicians who love the sound of a roaring jazz big band!
O Som Do Jazz Under the Stars
Friday, October 10
ArtsXchange stage at the Warehouse Arts District
6 PM
Brazilian group O Som Do Jazz performs samba-jazz, Bossa Nova & Baião at the outdoor stage at the Warehouse Arts District located at 515 22nd St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712. This concert is made possible through a grant from the City of St. Petersburg.
Scotty Wright & Helios Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, September 23 at 7:30
Palladium Side Door
A multifaceted jazz artist, Scotty is a gifted singer, pianist, actor, teacher, and author who has traveled the world performing jazz in over 20 countries including China, Thailand, Japan, Dubai, and Jordan. The Helios Jazz Orchestra has been featured on the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival and Ybor Jazz Festival. It is comprised of top area jazz musicians who love the sound of a roaring jazz big band!
EMIT 5tet
Saturday, September 13 from 6 - 8 PM
Warehouse Arts District
FREE!
EMIT 5tet is a combo of current students and alumni of the jazz program at St. Petersburg College directed by Dr. David Manson. The combo plays Bop, Post Bop, Latin jazz and originals from 7 - 9 PM.
Explore Middle Eastern Rhythms
Workshop with Israeli artist Yogev Shetrit
June 24 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Warehouse Arts District
Join Us for a Rhythmic Journey with Yogev Shetrit – June 24 Discover the power and beauty of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean rhythms in this engaging workshop led by internationally acclaimed Israeli drummer and composer Yogev Shetrit. Open to all instruments and skill levels, this hands-on session explores over 10 essential grooves, their cultural roots, and how to apply them creatively on drum kits, hand drums, or any instrument. Whether you're a percussionist, educator, or curious musician, come experience the heartbeat of a region through rhythm. Notation, exercises, and practice tools included! All levels welcome
PRESENTED BY EMIT & WADA
Friday, April 25 at 5, 7:30 & 8:30 PM
Warehouse Arts District
FREE!
The St. Petersburg Jazz Festival is sponsored in part by EMIT, Claus and D'Vora Krueger, City of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg College, the Warehouse Arts District Association and sponsors.
