Live Music

About The Colin Leonard Quartet

Colin Leonard is a jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. Playful yet introspective, his adventurous approach reflects a deep love of improvised music. A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Colin studied with Gary Bartz and worked closely with mentors including Tony Benade, Eddie Henderson, Dan Wall, and Gerald Cannon. While at Oberlin, Colin was a member of the Sonny Rollins Ensemble and toured New York City as part of a project sponsored by Rollins. Colin has performed at events such as the CMC International Jazz Festival in Buffalo, NY, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, DC, and the Sarasota Jazz Festival. He is committed to performing, teaching, and composing music that fosters creative thinking, community building, and artistic expression.

About Five Points Quintet

Five Points Quintet is Sarasota’s newest elegant entertainment ensemble. The group features Sarasota vocalist Darcie Allen and includes Marc Mannino on Guitar, Pete Carney on Saxes, Bob Lunergan on Drums and Peter Innocenti on Bass. The group was formed to fill the need for posh events, concerts, and elegant dining. The music is diverse in nature with a jazz and an adult contemporary format.

Named after Sarasota’s landmark Five Points intersection location, the group is poised to fill the area’s growing need for sophisticated music.

About Sarasota Jazz Project

Sarasota Jazz Project is a high energy 17-piece jazz ensemble comprised of some of the finest musicians on the West Coast of Florida. These talented all-stars play both original compositions and standard tunes, creatively arranged in a unique contemporary Big Band style. Whether you dance, or listen or both, be prepared to be thoroughly entertained. The Sarasota Jazz Project Big Band performs at jazz concerts, clubs, schools/universities, private clubs, and Jazz Club of Sarasota events throughout the year.

Sarasota Jazz Project is a 17-piece Big Band dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and public performance of big band jazz music in Sarasota and the neighboring communities in the state of Florida. Founded in February 2010 by George McLean and George McLain (no relation!), the band is comprised of the best available local musicians, including professional jazz musicians with long resumes and careers in performing with top-name bands and jazz musicians throughout the world. Members also include local music teachers and educators; working musicians who perform regularly in local theaters, orchestras and cabaret venues; and other serious local musicians who maintain “day jobs” and play jazz for the sheer pleasure and exhilaration of being part of this true American art form.

While respecting and performing music of great big bands of the past led by such luminaries as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman and Glen Miller, the Sarasota Jazz Project emphasizes the work of modern composers and arrangers such as Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Quincy Jones, and Gil Evans. Perhaps the most distinctive element of the Sarasota Jazz Project repertoire is its great collection of popular music and standards arranged in new and exciting jazz settings by the very best current musical arrangers in the world, including George Stone, Brad Morey, Gary Urwin, Ed Vizinho, Don Schamber and John Clayton.

About The Barker Project

Celebrate the Holidays with Seasonal favorites by The Barker Project – a Sarasota-based fusion band under the musical direction of Johnnie Barker. Since studying at Berklee College of Music, locally renowned Tampa Bay area bassist, Johnnie has assembled an array of his talented friends and colleagues that include musicians from all around the nation. With their roots in Jazz, they blend Funk, Rock, Blues, & Gospel into what makes the musical gumbo that makes the sound of The Barker Project. Their creative interpretations of well-known songs, as well as their original music, are a thrill for audiences throughout the region.