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CELEBRATING 40 YEARS
CONCERT SEASON
throughout the 2025 - 2026
Admission $20 for members, $25 for guests, students are free.
Special Performances are $30 for members, $35 for guests, students are free.
Click on each concert for complete details - all performances are subject to change.
The 2025 - 2026 Concert Season kicks off with the JEFF RUPERT QUARTET...
(Click on this description to see the full bio & listen to past performances by clicking the link at the bottom of that page)
Jeff Rupert will be joined by RICHARD DREXLER on piano, DOUG MATHEWS on bass and MARTY MORELL on drums.
Jeff has been a featured soloist on dozens of recordings with artists including Sam Rivers, Mel Tormé, Diane Schuur, Benny Carter, and Maynard Ferguson. His recording "The Ripple" with legendary saxophonist George Garzone was released in September 2019. He played on Benny Carter's Harlem Renaissance which won a Grammy. He has also performed with Kevin Mahogany, Ernestine Anderson, Joe Farnsworth, Ray Drummond, Harry Allen, pianist Benny Green, Kenny Drew Jr, trumpeter Michael Philip Mossman, and pianist and singer Judy Carmichael.
In 2024, Rupert released "It Gets Better," which has been praised for its classic jazz style and strong musical arrangements. His work continues to influence both students and the broader jazz community. He has several releases under his own name including "Lets Sail Away" with Veronica Swift, "Imagination" and "R&D" with pianist Richard Drexler. Rupert is the leader of The Jazz Professors, a sextet that had top JazzWeek charting hit albums in 2012-2015. "The Jazz Professors: Live at the UCF-Orlando Jazz Festival" peaked at #19 during its seventeen weeks on the JazzWeek charts. His third album, "From Memphis to Mobile" was with Kenny Drew, Jr.
Rupert joined Sam Rivers' band in 1996 and appeared in four recordings with the group. He has performed in hundreds of concerts with Rivers, including performances at Lincoln for Ed Bradley's Jazz from Lincoln Center (broadcast on NPR), the Vision Festival NYC and Columbia University.
He has been a member of the Jaguar International Jazz Series alongside Joe LaBarbera, Tom Wharington, Larry Koonse, and John Fedchock. He also performed with Michael Philip Mossman and John Riley at the Taipei National Concert Hall, Taiwan.
Rupert has played at jazz festivals around the world, with dates in Europe, Scandinavia, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Rupert also leads The "Flying Horse Big Band," one of the premiere performing ensembles of the UCF Music Department. They have appeared at the Montreux, Switzerland, and the North Sea Jazz Festivals, as well as numerous festival and concert appearances domestically. The band has featured Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Michael Mossman, James Moody, Nick Brignola, Harry Allen, Steve Turre, Rodney Holmes, Terry Gibbs, Marvin Stamm, Mulgrew Miller, John Swana, Kevin Mahogany, Lou Donaldson and Eric Alexander with the band. In 2005, the "Flying Horse Big Band" premiered Sam Rivers’ work for double big band, with Rivers’ RIVBEA orchestra. The group has had six recordings on the national jazz charts. Recordings include "Jazz Town", "The Blues is Alright", "Into the Mystic", "Big Man on Campus", "The Bat Swings!", and "Florida Rays". The last two albums climbed to #1 on the national (professional) jazz charts.
GENERAL ADMISSION IS PAID AT THE DOOR. $30 for members of the Jazz Society and Veterans Memorial Center, $35 for guests and students are free. Bring your own food and drink. Tables, chairs, live jazz and a beautiful view of the river are provided.
Jeff Rupert will be joined by RICHARD DREXLER on piano, DOUG MATHEWS on bass and MARTY MORELL on drums.
Jeff has been a featured soloist on dozens of recordings with artists including Sam Rivers, Mel Tormé, Diane Schuur, Benny Carter, and Maynard Ferguson. His recording "The Ripple" with legendary saxophonist George Garzone was released in September 2019. He played on Benny Carter's Harlem Renaissance which won a Grammy. He has also performed with Kevin Mahogany, Ernestine Anderson, Joe Farnsworth, Ray Drummond, Harry Allen, pianist Benny Green, Kenny Drew Jr, trumpeter Michael Philip Mossman, and pianist and singer Judy Carmichael.
In 2024, Rupert released "It Gets Better," which has been praised for its classic jazz style and strong musical arrangements. His work continues to influence both students and the broader jazz community. He has several releases under his own name including "Lets Sail Away" with Veronica Swift, "Imagination" and "R&D" with pianist Richard Drexler. Rupert is the leader of The Jazz Professors, a sextet that had top JazzWeek charting hit albums in 2012-2015. "The Jazz Professors: Live at the UCF-Orlando Jazz Festival" peaked at #19 during its seventeen weeks on the JazzWeek charts. His third album, "From Memphis to Mobile" was with Kenny Drew, Jr.
Rupert joined Sam Rivers' band in 1996 and appeared in four recordings with the group. He has performed in hundreds of concerts with Rivers, including performances at Lincoln for Ed Bradley's Jazz from Lincoln Center (broadcast on NPR), the Vision Festival NYC and Columbia University.
He has been a member of the Jaguar International Jazz Series alongside Joe LaBarbera, Tom Wharington, Larry Koonse, and John Fedchock. He also performed with Michael Philip Mossman and John Riley at the Taipei National Concert Hall, Taiwan.
Rupert has played at jazz festivals around the world, with dates in Europe, Scandinavia, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Rupert also leads The "Flying Horse Big Band," one of the premiere performing ensembles of the UCF Music Department. They have appeared at the Montreux, Switzerland, and the North Sea Jazz Festivals, as well as numerous festival and concert appearances domestically. The band has featured Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Michael Mossman, James Moody, Nick Brignola, Harry Allen, Steve Turre, Rodney Holmes, Terry Gibbs, Marvin Stamm, Mulgrew Miller, John Swana, Kevin Mahogany, Lou Donaldson and Eric Alexander with the band. In 2005, the "Flying Horse Big Band" premiered Sam Rivers’ work for double big band, with Rivers’ RIVBEA orchestra. The group has had six recordings on the national jazz charts. Recordings include "Jazz Town", "The Blues is Alright", "Into the Mystic", "Big Man on Campus", "The Bat Swings!", and "Florida Rays". The last two albums climbed to #1 on the national (professional) jazz charts.
GENERAL ADMISSION IS PAID AT THE DOOR. $30 for members of the Jazz Society and Veterans Memorial Center, $35 for guests and students are free. Bring your own food and drink. Tables, chairs, live jazz and a beautiful view of the river are provided.
JOE BREIDENSTINE QUINTET
(Click on this description to see the full bio & listen to some of his music by clicking the link at the bottom of that page)
We are excited to bring you JOE BREIDENSTINE in concert with FRANK WOSAR on trombone, STEVE LUCIANO on guitar, RICHARD DREXLER on bass and IAN GOODMAN on drums!
Joe Breidenstine has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Japan, and the Middle East. In addition, Joe has studied privately with some of the greatest trumpet teachers in the world. Among them, the great Carmine Caruso, William Fielder at Rutgers University, Bill Adam at Indiana University, and Roger Ingram, who currently plays lead trumpet with the Harry Connick Jr. big band.
When Joe lived in New York City, he had the opportunity to perform with some of the greats in music. Some of Joe’s most memorable performances have been with Lou Rawls, Tito Puente, Jon Faddis, George Benson, Joe Williams, Stanley Turrentine, David “fathead” Newman, Benny Golsen, Eric Alexander, Ralph Bowen, Charles Fambrough, Ray Vega, and many others.
Joe began playing piano at age 8 and took up trumpet at age 10. After graduating from Mainland Regional High School in Linwood, New Jersey, Joe attended the jazz studies program at William Paterson University of New Jersey under the direction of Rufus Reid.
After college, Joe landed a 6 month stint at the Imperial Plaza Hotel in Osaka, Japan, where he performed 6 nights a week with the David Cedeno Orchestra. Once returning to the states, Joe was offered and accepted a chair in the Glenn Miller Orchestra on the recommendation of the great trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, and toured the United States.
Joe also teaches privately, has taught trumpet at the Grand Opera House School of Music in Wilmington, Delaware, and was an adjunct trumpet instructor at the University of Pennsylvania in 2004. Currently, Joe is an adjunct trumpet instructor at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, in Pomona, New Jersey.
General Admission is paid at the door. $30 for members of the Jazz Society and Veterans Memorial Center, $35 for guests and students are free.
Bring your own food and drink. Tables, chairs and a beautiful view of the river are provided.
We are excited to bring you JOE BREIDENSTINE in concert with FRANK WOSAR on trombone, STEVE LUCIANO on guitar, RICHARD DREXLER on bass and IAN GOODMAN on drums!
Joe Breidenstine has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Japan, and the Middle East. In addition, Joe has studied privately with some of the greatest trumpet teachers in the world. Among them, the great Carmine Caruso, William Fielder at Rutgers University, Bill Adam at Indiana University, and Roger Ingram, who currently plays lead trumpet with the Harry Connick Jr. big band.
When Joe lived in New York City, he had the opportunity to perform with some of the greats in music. Some of Joe’s most memorable performances have been with Lou Rawls, Tito Puente, Jon Faddis, George Benson, Joe Williams, Stanley Turrentine, David “fathead” Newman, Benny Golsen, Eric Alexander, Ralph Bowen, Charles Fambrough, Ray Vega, and many others.
Joe began playing piano at age 8 and took up trumpet at age 10. After graduating from Mainland Regional High School in Linwood, New Jersey, Joe attended the jazz studies program at William Paterson University of New Jersey under the direction of Rufus Reid.
After college, Joe landed a 6 month stint at the Imperial Plaza Hotel in Osaka, Japan, where he performed 6 nights a week with the David Cedeno Orchestra. Once returning to the states, Joe was offered and accepted a chair in the Glenn Miller Orchestra on the recommendation of the great trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, and toured the United States.
Joe also teaches privately, has taught trumpet at the Grand Opera House School of Music in Wilmington, Delaware, and was an adjunct trumpet instructor at the University of Pennsylvania in 2004. Currently, Joe is an adjunct trumpet instructor at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, in Pomona, New Jersey.
General Admission is paid at the door. $30 for members of the Jazz Society and Veterans Memorial Center, $35 for guests and students are free.
Bring your own food and drink. Tables, chairs and a beautiful view of the river are provided.
JOHN DEPAOLA QUINTET
(Click on this description to see the full bio & listen to past performances by clicking the link at the bottom of that page)
John is a strong believer in the value of America's only true art form - Jazz Music. He has been a full-time freelance trumpeter for over 30 years. He lives in Orlando, FL, where he has been a musician at Walt Disney World and a Rosie O’Grady’s Goodtime Jazz Band member.
John has performed with entertainers such as Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Rogers, Frank Sinatra Jr., The Moody Blues, and many others.
John has also played for nationally touring Broadway shows like West Side Story, Hello Dolly, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, The Producers, and Chicago.
He is a regular performer at jazz festivals across the U.S. with different groups and has also led his group, performing for Jazz clubs and societies in Florida.
John is a symphony musician as a member of the Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra under Rodney Whitaker’s direction. And John has also played principal trumpet with The Villages Philharmonic since 2003 and also served as principal trumpet with the Imperial Symphony in Lakeland, FL. He performs with The Brevard Symphony and Orlando Philharmonic when called upon.
His CD, Take Two, is a soulful collection of jazz standards, popular songs from the 60’s, and original compositions featuring the John DePaola Quartet with Jeff Phillips on piano and organ, Paul Parker on drums and percussion, and Charlie Silva on upright and electric bass.
General Admission is paid at the door. $20 for members of the Jazz Society and Veterans Memorial Center, $25 for guests and students are free.
Bring your own food and drink. Tables, chairs and a beautiful view of the river are provided.
John is a strong believer in the value of America's only true art form - Jazz Music. He has been a full-time freelance trumpeter for over 30 years. He lives in Orlando, FL, where he has been a musician at Walt Disney World and a Rosie O’Grady’s Goodtime Jazz Band member.
John has performed with entertainers such as Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Rogers, Frank Sinatra Jr., The Moody Blues, and many others.
John has also played for nationally touring Broadway shows like West Side Story, Hello Dolly, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, The Producers, and Chicago.
He is a regular performer at jazz festivals across the U.S. with different groups and has also led his group, performing for Jazz clubs and societies in Florida.
John is a symphony musician as a member of the Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra under Rodney Whitaker’s direction. And John has also played principal trumpet with The Villages Philharmonic since 2003 and also served as principal trumpet with the Imperial Symphony in Lakeland, FL. He performs with The Brevard Symphony and Orlando Philharmonic when called upon.
His CD, Take Two, is a soulful collection of jazz standards, popular songs from the 60’s, and original compositions featuring the John DePaola Quartet with Jeff Phillips on piano and organ, Paul Parker on drums and percussion, and Charlie Silva on upright and electric bass.
General Admission is paid at the door. $20 for members of the Jazz Society and Veterans Memorial Center, $25 for guests and students are free.
Bring your own food and drink. Tables, chairs and a beautiful view of the river are provided.
Jazz vocalist MICHELLE MAILHOT & FRIENDS...
(Click on this description to see the full bio & listen to her past performances on our YouTube channel by clicking the link at the bottom of that page)
For over 25 years Michelle Mailhot has been one of the most sought-after Jazz singers around. During her celebrated career, she has shared the stage with such jazz greats as Mel Torme, Max Roach, Sheila Jordan, Billy Stritch, Sandy Patti, Liza Minnelli, Dr. Billy Taylor, and more. In 2004 she won a Drama Desk Award for her work in the Off-Broadway show Toxic Audio: Loudmouth.
Locally in Central Florida, she appears regularly at premier jazz venues, has sung with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dr. Phillips Jazz Orchestra, and is the regular featured singer with the Blue Bamboo Big Band.
Michelle is also a highly-regarded session singer for radio and television commercials…and…you have likely heard her singing the backing vocals on the Shy Baldwin songs in season 3 & 4 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Her acclaimed solo CD “Happy Madness” is available on iTunes and most major music streaming services.
In addition to her extraordinary performance career as a jazz vocalist, Michelle Mailhot is a distinguished music educator. With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, Michelle has been a professor of music at both Valencia and Rollins colleges for the better part of a decade. There she has taught music theory, sight-singing, ear training, private vocal instruction and directs a jazz choir.
Michelle is also one of the top teachers on the website Jazzvoice.com, where she runs a tremendously popular class in Scat-singing.
Her work as a clinician and adjudicator with All-State choir competitions, and choral festivals such as Showstoppers, America Sings and Orlando Fest has taken her across the country, to Singapore and Japan. As well as being a clinician at the Disney Sings workshops, Michelle also got to teach side-by-side with her mentors at the Phil Mattson Choral Workshop and the Steve Zegree Vocal Jazz Camps.
General Admission is paid at the door. $20 for members of the Jazz Society and Veterans Memorial Center, $25 for guests and students are free.
Bring your own food and drink. Tables, chairs, live jazz and a beautiful view of the river are provided.
For over 25 years Michelle Mailhot has been one of the most sought-after Jazz singers around. During her celebrated career, she has shared the stage with such jazz greats as Mel Torme, Max Roach, Sheila Jordan, Billy Stritch, Sandy Patti, Liza Minnelli, Dr. Billy Taylor, and more. In 2004 she won a Drama Desk Award for her work in the Off-Broadway show Toxic Audio: Loudmouth.
Locally in Central Florida, she appears regularly at premier jazz venues, has sung with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dr. Phillips Jazz Orchestra, and is the regular featured singer with the Blue Bamboo Big Band.
Michelle is also a highly-regarded session singer for radio and television commercials…and…you have likely heard her singing the backing vocals on the Shy Baldwin songs in season 3 & 4 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Her acclaimed solo CD “Happy Madness” is available on iTunes and most major music streaming services.
In addition to her extraordinary performance career as a jazz vocalist, Michelle Mailhot is a distinguished music educator. With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, Michelle has been a professor of music at both Valencia and Rollins colleges for the better part of a decade. There she has taught music theory, sight-singing, ear training, private vocal instruction and directs a jazz choir.
Michelle is also one of the top teachers on the website Jazzvoice.com, where she runs a tremendously popular class in Scat-singing.
Her work as a clinician and adjudicator with All-State choir competitions, and choral festivals such as Showstoppers, America Sings and Orlando Fest has taken her across the country, to Singapore and Japan. As well as being a clinician at the Disney Sings workshops, Michelle also got to teach side-by-side with her mentors at the Phil Mattson Choral Workshop and the Steve Zegree Vocal Jazz Camps.
General Admission is paid at the door. $20 for members of the Jazz Society and Veterans Memorial Center, $25 for guests and students are free.
Bring your own food and drink. Tables, chairs, live jazz and a beautiful view of the river are provided.
LARRY BROWN QUINTET
(Click on this description to see the full bio. You can also watch highlights of his past performances by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.)
Pianist Larry Brown leads one of the most accomplished straight-ahead jazz groups in the Mid-Atlantic area, having performed at An Die Musik, Blues Alley, the Meyerhoff, the Kennedy Center, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, East Coast Jazz Festival, Baltimore-Washington Jazz Fest, Alexandria Jazz Festival, Martha’s Vineyard Jazz Festival, Twins Jazz, Bohemian Caverns, the King Of France Tavern, Montpelier Arts Center, Chris’ Café, the New Haven Lounge, Caton Castle, Strathmore Mansion, and the Black Rock Center for the Arts.
JazzReview.com describes The Larry Brown Quintet as "Straight-ahead jazz at its best, with a forthright approach to well chosen material, supported by first rate soloists and a rock-solid rhythm section." The group’s four CDs receive airplay all over the country, as well as in Brazil, Canada, Russia, and Japan. The band, which reprises the hard-bop style of the legendary Blue Note era, was recognized by the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) as the Best Jazz Group for 2009. The group’s celebrated release, “Hard Bop Café” was recognized by WAMA as the Best Jazz Recording for 2006 with a Wammie award.
As an undergraduate at Towson University, Larry studied with Stan Kenton’s favorite arranger/composer, Hank Levy. He performed with and composed for the lauded Towson University Jazz Ensemble. With a Bachelors Degree in Music Theory Larry attended graduate school at Catholic University, where he received his Master of Music degree after studying Composition and Electronic Music with the legendary Emerson Myers.
Recognized with Wammie Awards for Best Jazz Group for 2006, 2008, and again for 2009, Larry also received a Wammie for Best Jazz Recording in 2002 for his CD “The Long Goodbye”, recorded at National Public Radio, npr. Larry has appeared on the national jazz cable channel BET On Jazz show “Jazz Discovery” where he won in the instrumentalist category, and has appeared on their show “Jazz Scene” as a featured artist. Larry has also received several Wammie nominations for Best Jazz Instrumentalist, and Best Jazz Recording (“Peace”, “Dryden Street Sessions”).
Washingtonian magazine says, “Larry Brown is a pianist whose rendering of ballads is particularly moving”. The Washington Post calls him “an artist deserving of greater exposure” and says Brown “evokes the master touch”. A post be-bop jazz pianist, Larry lists his major influences as Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly, and Miles Davis.
The Larry Brown Quartet features Larry Brown on piano, Kent Miller on bass, Greg Holloway on drums, Thad Wilson on trumpet, and Peter Fraize on tenor sax. Larry records exclusively on Lush Life Records and his recordings are produced by Jerry O’Sullivan.
General admission is paid at the door. $30 for members of the Jazz Society & Brevard Veterans Memorial Center. $35 for guests & students are FREE. Bring your own food & drinks, Tables, chairs & a beautiful view of the river are provided.
Pianist Larry Brown leads one of the most accomplished straight-ahead jazz groups in the Mid-Atlantic area, having performed at An Die Musik, Blues Alley, the Meyerhoff, the Kennedy Center, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, East Coast Jazz Festival, Baltimore-Washington Jazz Fest, Alexandria Jazz Festival, Martha’s Vineyard Jazz Festival, Twins Jazz, Bohemian Caverns, the King Of France Tavern, Montpelier Arts Center, Chris’ Café, the New Haven Lounge, Caton Castle, Strathmore Mansion, and the Black Rock Center for the Arts.
JazzReview.com describes The Larry Brown Quintet as "Straight-ahead jazz at its best, with a forthright approach to well chosen material, supported by first rate soloists and a rock-solid rhythm section." The group’s four CDs receive airplay all over the country, as well as in Brazil, Canada, Russia, and Japan. The band, which reprises the hard-bop style of the legendary Blue Note era, was recognized by the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) as the Best Jazz Group for 2009. The group’s celebrated release, “Hard Bop Café” was recognized by WAMA as the Best Jazz Recording for 2006 with a Wammie award.
As an undergraduate at Towson University, Larry studied with Stan Kenton’s favorite arranger/composer, Hank Levy. He performed with and composed for the lauded Towson University Jazz Ensemble. With a Bachelors Degree in Music Theory Larry attended graduate school at Catholic University, where he received his Master of Music degree after studying Composition and Electronic Music with the legendary Emerson Myers.
Recognized with Wammie Awards for Best Jazz Group for 2006, 2008, and again for 2009, Larry also received a Wammie for Best Jazz Recording in 2002 for his CD “The Long Goodbye”, recorded at National Public Radio, npr. Larry has appeared on the national jazz cable channel BET On Jazz show “Jazz Discovery” where he won in the instrumentalist category, and has appeared on their show “Jazz Scene” as a featured artist. Larry has also received several Wammie nominations for Best Jazz Instrumentalist, and Best Jazz Recording (“Peace”, “Dryden Street Sessions”).
Washingtonian magazine says, “Larry Brown is a pianist whose rendering of ballads is particularly moving”. The Washington Post calls him “an artist deserving of greater exposure” and says Brown “evokes the master touch”. A post be-bop jazz pianist, Larry lists his major influences as Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly, and Miles Davis.
The Larry Brown Quartet features Larry Brown on piano, Kent Miller on bass, Greg Holloway on drums, Thad Wilson on trumpet, and Peter Fraize on tenor sax. Larry records exclusively on Lush Life Records and his recordings are produced by Jerry O’Sullivan.
General admission is paid at the door. $30 for members of the Jazz Society & Brevard Veterans Memorial Center. $35 for guests & students are FREE. Bring your own food & drinks, Tables, chairs & a beautiful view of the river are provided.
MICKEY FREEMAN QUARTET
(Click on this description to see the full bio & watch highlights of her past performances on our YouTube channel by clicking the link at the bottom of that page)
MICKEY FREEMAN is a self taught vocalist who began her career in Boston in 1980 when she became a member of the 30’s/40’s campy swing group, The Boo-Bette Band, who toured throughout New England.
In 1982 she formed the vocal-based group, The Ritz which was inspired by the likes of The Manhattan Transfer and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. The Ritz played jazz festivals, both domestic and international, and toured with such artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Gerry Mulligan, Kenny Burrell, The Pointer Sisters, Phil Woods and Spyro Gyra in Finland, Morocco and Singapore. The Ritz also released two albums “Steppin’ Out” in 1985 and “Born To Bop” in 1987.
In 2010 Mickey was reunited through Facebook with her old friend and leader of the Rhode Island based Roomful of Blues…Duke Robillard. Duke asked Mickey to come to his gig at the Iridium to sing some tunes with his band. A magical collaboration ensued and she recorded “Livin’ The Dream” produced by Duke Robillard on Blue Duchess Records. Duke Robillard and saxophonist Scott Hamilton are guests on her CD. For the next eight years, Mickey fronted several jazz trios and quartets in New Jersey.
In 2018, Mickey relocated to Vero Beach, FL, where she performs regularly at The Grind & Grape Café, Costa D’Este Hotel, Cobalt at Vero Beach Hotel, Vero Beach Country Club, Vero Beach Yacht Club. Mickey has performed at the Laurel Awards at the Indian River Theater. In 2022 she was asked to perform at the Vero Beach Museum of Modern Arts’ Annual Fundraising Gala, as well as the Annual Film Festival White Party.
In April of 2019, Mickey became one of the artists in the ARTS IN MEDICINE/HEALING ARTS Program, which offers music and art therapy to cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and other treatments at Florida Cancer Specialists in Vero Beach…her most rewarding musical experience to date.
General Admission is paid at the door. $20 for members of the Jazz Society and Veterans Memorial Center, $25 for guests and students are free. Bring your own food and drink. Tables, chairs, live jazz and a beautiful view of the river are provided
MICKEY FREEMAN is a self taught vocalist who began her career in Boston in 1980 when she became a member of the 30’s/40’s campy swing group, The Boo-Bette Band, who toured throughout New England.
In 1982 she formed the vocal-based group, The Ritz which was inspired by the likes of The Manhattan Transfer and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. The Ritz played jazz festivals, both domestic and international, and toured with such artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Gerry Mulligan, Kenny Burrell, The Pointer Sisters, Phil Woods and Spyro Gyra in Finland, Morocco and Singapore. The Ritz also released two albums “Steppin’ Out” in 1985 and “Born To Bop” in 1987.
In 2010 Mickey was reunited through Facebook with her old friend and leader of the Rhode Island based Roomful of Blues…Duke Robillard. Duke asked Mickey to come to his gig at the Iridium to sing some tunes with his band. A magical collaboration ensued and she recorded “Livin’ The Dream” produced by Duke Robillard on Blue Duchess Records. Duke Robillard and saxophonist Scott Hamilton are guests on her CD. For the next eight years, Mickey fronted several jazz trios and quartets in New Jersey.
In 2018, Mickey relocated to Vero Beach, FL, where she performs regularly at The Grind & Grape Café, Costa D’Este Hotel, Cobalt at Vero Beach Hotel, Vero Beach Country Club, Vero Beach Yacht Club. Mickey has performed at the Laurel Awards at the Indian River Theater. In 2022 she was asked to perform at the Vero Beach Museum of Modern Arts’ Annual Fundraising Gala, as well as the Annual Film Festival White Party.
In April of 2019, Mickey became one of the artists in the ARTS IN MEDICINE/HEALING ARTS Program, which offers music and art therapy to cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and other treatments at Florida Cancer Specialists in Vero Beach…her most rewarding musical experience to date.
General Admission is paid at the door. $20 for members of the Jazz Society and Veterans Memorial Center, $25 for guests and students are free. Bring your own food and drink. Tables, chairs, live jazz and a beautiful view of the river are provided
RON PIRTLE & FRIENDS
(Click on this description to see the full bio).
Ron Pirtle is "one of the most sought after bassists in Brevard County”, according to Florida Today news.
Ron comes from Ohio. He’s a farm boy by heritage, a retired mail carrier, and bass player. When he was twelve years old, Ron’s parents gave him an electric bass guitar. His brother played lead guitar, so the two boys formed a rock and roll band. Ron’s proficiency grew with the music and his bass, and soon he was much in demand by other bands. As soon as he was old enough, Ron traveled throughout Ohio and neighboring Pennsylvania, playing music. He discovered blues and jazz when he worked with an older blues piano player. Soon he switched to upright acoustic bass and nurtured his talent and love for this pure American art form.
Ron married his high school sweetheart Joyce, and they moved to Florida in the 1980s and started a family. It wasn’t long before Ron was established as a dynamic and moving force in the local jazz scene on the Space Coast. Ron soon became everyone’s number one call when they wanted an upright bass player in their groups.
These days Ron works a couple of regular weekly night club gigs and takes other dates when they come available. He leads his own jazz group, the Ron Pirtle Quintet, and has recorded a CD with that group. In the meantime, Ron can be heard playing his bass all over Central Florida.
General admission is paid at the door. $30 for members of the Jazz Society & Brevard Veterans Memorial Center. $35 for guests & students are FREE. Bring your own food & drinks, Tables, chairs & a beautiful view of the river are provided.
Ron Pirtle is "one of the most sought after bassists in Brevard County”, according to Florida Today news.
Ron comes from Ohio. He’s a farm boy by heritage, a retired mail carrier, and bass player. When he was twelve years old, Ron’s parents gave him an electric bass guitar. His brother played lead guitar, so the two boys formed a rock and roll band. Ron’s proficiency grew with the music and his bass, and soon he was much in demand by other bands. As soon as he was old enough, Ron traveled throughout Ohio and neighboring Pennsylvania, playing music. He discovered blues and jazz when he worked with an older blues piano player. Soon he switched to upright acoustic bass and nurtured his talent and love for this pure American art form.
Ron married his high school sweetheart Joyce, and they moved to Florida in the 1980s and started a family. It wasn’t long before Ron was established as a dynamic and moving force in the local jazz scene on the Space Coast. Ron soon became everyone’s number one call when they wanted an upright bass player in their groups.
These days Ron works a couple of regular weekly night club gigs and takes other dates when they come available. He leads his own jazz group, the Ron Pirtle Quintet, and has recorded a CD with that group. In the meantime, Ron can be heard playing his bass all over Central Florida.
General admission is paid at the door. $30 for members of the Jazz Society & Brevard Veterans Memorial Center. $35 for guests & students are FREE. Bring your own food & drinks, Tables, chairs & a beautiful view of the river are provided.
2026 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS SHOWCASE
(Click on this description to see the full description).
The Space Coast Jazz Society is proud to invest in the future of jazz. Through our scholarship program, we're nurturing the next generation of jazz talent, providing them with resources to advance their education and careers.
This year, we are awarding two $1,000 scholarships. Celebrate with us as our scholarship winners showcase their extraordinary talents!
General admission is paid at the door. $30 for members of the Jazz Society & the Veterans Memorial Center. $35 for guests. Students are free. Bring your own snacks & drinks. Tables, chairs & a beautiful view of the river provided.
The Space Coast Jazz Society is proud to invest in the future of jazz. Through our scholarship program, we're nurturing the next generation of jazz talent, providing them with resources to advance their education and careers.
This year, we are awarding two $1,000 scholarships. Celebrate with us as our scholarship winners showcase their extraordinary talents!
General admission is paid at the door. $30 for members of the Jazz Society & the Veterans Memorial Center. $35 for guests. Students are free. Bring your own snacks & drinks. Tables, chairs & a beautiful view of the river provided.
The EASTERN FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE JAZZ BAND
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