Founded in 1997, the Gulf Jazz Society (GJS) serves as an advocate of jazz music in the Panama City, Panhandle region of Florida. As part of its annual program, the GJS awards scholarships and introduces jazz to local schools. Recently the Society awarded three $500 scholarships and granted Bay County Public Schools a curriculum guide entitled “Jazz For Young People“ as well as instructional materials for the use of classroom teachers.
In February of 2001 The Society presented its first independently produced “Emerald Coast Jazz Fest / Brunch” at the Edgewater Resort. The same year the GJS inaugurated its series of “Open Monthly Jam Sessions” at a downtown restaurant, and started its series of quarterly “Jazz Gumbos”. The Gumbo's are a live music event paying tribute to legendary jazz musicians, such as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Lionel Hampton, Buddy DeFranco, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and others.
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Founded in 1997, the Gulf Jazz Society (GJS) serves as an advocate of jazz music in the Panama City, Panhandle region of Florida. As part of its annual program, the GJS awards scholarships and introduces jazz to local schools. Recently the Society awarded three $500 scholarships and granted Bay County Public Schools a curriculum guide entitled “Jazz For Young People“ as well as instructional materials for the use of classroom teachers.
In February of 2001 The Society presented its first independently produced “Emerald Coast Jazz Fest / Brunch” at the Edgewater Resort. The same year the GJS inaugurated its series of “Open Monthly Jam Sessions” at a downtown restaurant, and started its series of quarterly “Jazz Gumbos”. The Gumbo's are a live music event paying tribute to legendary jazz musicians, such as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Lionel Hampton, Buddy DeFranco, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and others.
In September of 2002, the GJS initiated and sponsored the first annual Jazz-By-the-Bay free jazz festival in historic St. Andrews entitled “A Tribute to Louis Armstrong.”
In April of 2002 The Society staged ”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. Two successful Jazz-By-the-Bay festivals followed in the fall of 2002, 2003, and 2004. The 2005 festival is scheduled for October 28th and 29th.
Contact the GJS for more information or questions.
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