Jason Marsalis & The 21st Century Trad Band, Nate Najar, Harry Allen, Wycliffe Gordon And More at Suncoast Jazz Festival

This year marks the 29th anniversary of the Suncoast Jazz Festival, which takes place every November on the travel-award-winning Clearwater Beach.

In its early years, the festival featured bands and musicians with a focus on early jazz, but more recently, working with acclaimed guitarist Nate Najar, has expanded its line-up from traditional jazz to include swing, big band, zydeco, Cajun, and some rockabilly. This year, the Jason Marsalis & the 21st Century Trad Band will headline the festival.

Festival Director Joan Dragon explains, “We are looking to preserve the tradition of jazz, never abandoning its early roots, but becoming inclusive of more contemporary stylings and the audience’s evolving tastes.” ...

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This year marks the 29th anniversary of the Suncoast Jazz Festival, which takes place every November on the travel-award-winning Clearwater Beach.

In its early years, the festival featured bands and musicians with a focus on early jazz, but more recently, working with acclaimed guitarist Nate Najar, has expanded its line-up from traditional jazz to include swing, big band, zydeco, Cajun, and some rockabilly. This year, the Jason Marsalis & the 21st Century Trad Band will headline the festival.

Festival Director Joan Dragon explains, “We are looking to preserve the tradition of jazz, never abandoning its early roots, but becoming inclusive of more contemporary stylings and the audience’s evolving tastes.”



Marsalis is not the only nationally celebrated artist who will perform at this year’s festival. Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, saxophonist Harry Allen and bassist Tommy Cecil will also be on hand, joining the more than 80 musicians and bands who will perform on the festival’s five stages. For a full roster of artists performing this year, check out suncoastjazzfestival.com.

The 29th annual Suncoast Jazz Festival will take place this year from November 22 through 24. The festival spans five simultaneous indoor venues and ballrooms between the Sheraton Sand Key and Marriott Sand Key, with performances rotating every hour throughout each day and night.

Tickets are on sale now for a variety of packages, ranging from Sponsor, Benefactor and Three-Day Weekend packages to single day and evening tickets, which include the Friday evening Swing Dance Party. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the festival’s web site or call (727) 248-9441.

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