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AN EVENING WITH NAT “KING” COLE
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On Tuesday, September 25, 6:30 pm, the Gulf Jazz Society will feature Sean Dietrich, pianist and vocalist, at The Place Downtown in Panama City. Also known as “Sean of the South”, Dietrich is a singer, jazz pianist, songwriter, and storyteller who is very much in demand throughout the Southeast. A prolific writer, he has 8 books (and counting) on Amazon. However, he is appearing as a singer/pianist at this event because of his love and appreciation of the music and storied career of the unforgettable Nat King Cole.
Nat King Cole was born in Montgomery, Alabama and raised in Chicago. He started out as a jazz pianist in the late 1930s, eventually forming a group called the King Cole Trio. In the beginning, the trio was strictly instrumental and recorded mostly jazz records. In 1943, his first big hit, “Straighten Up and Fly Right”, established Cole as a successful singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, his popularity as a vocalist soared, as his smooth, warm delivery elevated him to a new status as a crooner alongside Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. He later went on to host his own radio and television shows and appeared in several movies. During a relatively short 48 year life, Cole recorded a string of hit songs beloved by the entire world. A short list of these would include Mona Lisa, Ramblin’ Rose, Nature Boy, Unforgettable, L-O-V-E, Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting …), I Love You (For Sentimental Reasons), A Blossom Fell, etc.
Sean Dietrich-born in Missouri, moved to the Panhandle during his youth, and is known for his commentary on life in the American South. At an early age, he started playing and singing gospel music. He now resides in Santa Rosa Beach with his wife, Jamie, a native of Brewton, Ala. He refers to himself as an adopted son of Alabama. Sean studied music at Northwest Florida State College. In fact, he was an early recipient of the Gulf Jazz Society’s annual scholarship.
Nat King Cole was born in Montgomery, Alabama and raised in Chicago. He started out as a jazz pianist in the late 1930s, eventually forming a group called the King Cole Trio. In the beginning, the trio was strictly instrumental and recorded mostly jazz records. In 1943, his first big hit, “Straighten Up and Fly Right”, established Cole as a successful singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, his popularity as a vocalist soared, as his smooth, warm delivery elevated him to a new status as a crooner alongside Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. He later went on to host his own radio and television shows and appeared in several movies. During a relatively short 48 year life, Cole recorded a string of hit songs beloved by the entire world. A short list of these would include Mona Lisa, Ramblin’ Rose, Nature Boy, Unforgettable, L-O-V-E, Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting …), I Love You (For Sentimental Reasons), A Blossom Fell, etc.
Sean Dietrich-born in Missouri, moved to the Panhandle during his youth, and is known for his commentary on life in the American South. At an early age, he started playing and singing gospel music. He now resides in Santa Rosa Beach with his wife, Jamie, a native of Brewton, Ala. He refers to himself as an adopted son of Alabama. Sean studied music at Northwest Florida State College. In fact, he was an early recipient of the Gulf Jazz Society’s annual scholarship.
A wonderful Jazz By The Bay 2017, Despite some threatening weather
Dear Members and Friends,
For those of you who are wondering what impact Hurricane Nate had on our Annual Jazz By The Bay Festival this past weekend, We can tell you it was minimal. Despite the threatening weather, the festival attracted a big and responsive crowd Friday night as the rain mercifully held off. But because of the grim Sat. forecast, we prudently moved the Sat.. schedule to the Shrimp Boat restaurant right down the street. The management allowed us to set-up in the large main dining area so we were able to complete our entire scheduled program in air-conditioned comfort in front of packed room. (However, we did cancel the Arnold High Jazz Band set to kick-off Saturday's program for logistical reasons.) So, thankfully, we defied the elements and were able to mount a successful festival. A big thanks to the musicians for their forbearance, to the volunteers or Board members and the Shrimp Boat for all the last minute adjustments.
For those of you who are wondering what impact Hurricane Nate had on our Annual Jazz By The Bay Festival this past weekend, We can tell you it was minimal. Despite the threatening weather, the festival attracted a big and responsive crowd Friday night as the rain mercifully held off. But because of the grim Sat. forecast, we prudently moved the Sat.. schedule to the Shrimp Boat restaurant right down the street. The management allowed us to set-up in the large main dining area so we were able to complete our entire scheduled program in air-conditioned comfort in front of packed room. (However, we did cancel the Arnold High Jazz Band set to kick-off Saturday's program for logistical reasons.) So, thankfully, we defied the elements and were able to mount a successful festival. A big thanks to the musicians for their forbearance, to the volunteers or Board members and the Shrimp Boat for all the last minute adjustments.
Photos From The 2015 Jazz By The Bay Festival
Here are a few photos from the 2015 Jazz By The Bay festival.
If you have any you'd like to share, we'd love to add them to this slideshow, so please send them our way!
If you have any you'd like to share, we'd love to add them to this slideshow, so please send them our way!
JAZZ FEST 2014 WAS A WONDERFUL TIME!
Well, the 2014 Jazz By The Bay is over and it was quite possibly our best yet! Below is a slideshow of photos from the festival, please feel free to send us yours if you took some. We'll be adding more as we get them. Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed the music. A special thank you to the family of Dr. Ralph Peterson, this year's festival was dedicated to him! His spirit will always be with the Gulf Jazz Society.