Founded in 1997, the Gulf Jazz Society serves as an advocate of jazz music.
As part of its annual program, the GJS awards a scholarship and introduces jazz to local schools. Recently the Society awarded a $500 scholarship to a young high school musician who has been accepted into the music program of a local university.
The Society’s St. Andrews festival series began in April of 2002 with ”Joy Spring––A Jazz Jubilee” in celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month. A highlight of the mini-festival was the presentation of a “Lifetime Achievement Award” to legendary clarinetist Buddy DeFranco who accepted the award in person with stirring words about the importance of jazz to our cultural experience.
Subsequent free Jazz-By-the-Bay festivals have been presented each fall. The festivals have featured jazz musicians of national reputation such as Ira Sullivan, Bob Dorough, Warren Vache, J. B. Scott and the University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble, Duke Heigter, John Eric Kelso, Eddie Higgins, Steve Gilmore, Giacomo Gates, Hod O’Brian and Stephanie Nakasian.
The latest Jazz By-the-Bay Festival was held in October of 2019 at Oaks-By-the-Bay Park in the historic St. Andrews section of Panama City, Fl.
GJS also holds bi-monthly shows featuring some of the best jazz talent in and out of the area. Here is a list of just some of the performers hosted by the GJS: Cheryl Jones, Victor Payano, Charles Pagano, Robert Orr, Gene Bertoncini, Mike Levine, Crystal Joy, David Seering, Kathy Lyon, George Petropolis, Bobby van Deusen, our very own music director and three time grammy winner, Steve Gilmore, The Bailsmen, The Anderson Brothers and the Emmaline Band, just to name a few!
Gulf Jazz Society Board of Directors meets monthly in Panama City, FL. Any person interested in jazz and the program of the GJS is welcome to attend. Call 850 235 1659 for meeting details.
Larry Fletcher
Vol. Executive Director
Gulf Jazz Society Inc.
The Society’s St. Andrews festival series began in April of 2002 with ”Joy Spring––A Jazz Jubilee” in celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month. A highlight of the mini-festival was the presentation of a “Lifetime Achievement Award” to legendary clarinetist Buddy DeFranco who accepted the award in person with stirring words about the importance of jazz to our cultural experience.
Subsequent free Jazz-By-the-Bay festivals have been presented each fall. The festivals have featured jazz musicians of national reputation such as Ira Sullivan, Bob Dorough, Warren Vache, J. B. Scott and the University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble, Duke Heigter, John Eric Kelso, Eddie Higgins, Steve Gilmore, Giacomo Gates, Hod O’Brian and Stephanie Nakasian.
The latest Jazz By-the-Bay Festival was held in October of 2019 at Oaks-By-the-Bay Park in the historic St. Andrews section of Panama City, Fl.
GJS also holds bi-monthly shows featuring some of the best jazz talent in and out of the area. Here is a list of just some of the performers hosted by the GJS: Cheryl Jones, Victor Payano, Charles Pagano, Robert Orr, Gene Bertoncini, Mike Levine, Crystal Joy, David Seering, Kathy Lyon, George Petropolis, Bobby van Deusen, our very own music director and three time grammy winner, Steve Gilmore, The Bailsmen, The Anderson Brothers and the Emmaline Band, just to name a few!
Gulf Jazz Society Board of Directors meets monthly in Panama City, FL. Any person interested in jazz and the program of the GJS is welcome to attend. Call 850 235 1659 for meeting details.
Larry Fletcher
Vol. Executive Director
Gulf Jazz Society Inc.