Sounds of Jazz & Blues: Annual Cape music festival at Tarpon Point Saturday
A longstanding musical tradition hosted by the Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department, the annual Sounds of Jazz and Blues festival, sweeps the shoreline of the Westin and Tarpon Point Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.
Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy full-service catered food and drink, peruse a wealth of gallery art, and, of course, take in the talented musical greatness of national jazz man Rick Braun, along with Gruv Therapy and Mike Imbasciani and His Bluez Rockerz.
“It’s been six years in the new venue at Tarpon Point, and it’s just a beautiful place to host this event,” said Cape Coral Parks & Rec’s special events coordinator Todd King. “Aesthetically, it’s one of the prettiest venues where we host events – the Westin, Tarpon Point, a beautiful place to host events. The water just adds to the aesthetics. Jazz, it’s a very cool, cultural genre that really fits down there. It’s perfect.”
King and his staff really zeroed in on Rick Braun as the headliner this year, a high-energy, nationally acclaimed jazz musician who focuses on an instrumental icon – the trumpet.
“This is the first time I ever booked a jazz trumpeter, and we’re really looking forward to it. Rick is very talented – he’s going to be a great headliner,” King said. “Gruv Therapy has performed with us a couple times before, based in Gainesville. They’re another great jazz group – opening the show this year. Mike Imbasciani and His Bluez Rockerz will perform after them – they’re the blues band of the event, performing between the two jazz bands.”
While taking in the sights and sounds of some jazz and blues greats, be sure to take advantage of the all-inclusively catered meal package that’s part of the your ticket entry, which includes salad bars, chicken picatta or Chicken Bryan, beef tenderloin, pasta and potato dishes, steamed vegetables and assorted dessert bars, with vegan selections available. For a complete list of menu items, visit CapeConcerts.com.
“There are two sides of the venue this year: the Jazz Experience side and the VIP side,” King explained. “Both sides include a full meal, with tea and water included. Jazz Experience guests also receive two (cocktail) drink tickets. The VIP side includes an upgrade in the meal, unlimited cocktails from the bar, waterside seating and an upgraded bathroom facility.”
King expects about 1,000 to 1,200 jazz and blues enthusiasts to make it out again this year and, so far, the weather looks like it’s going to be perfect for an outdoor show.
“Partnering with the Promenade Shops, art gallery owner and artist Lorne of Lorne’s Gallery will have many pieces on display throughout the venue, and during the Mike Imbasciani blues act, he’ll be on stage doing a ‘speed painting’ session, creating a masterpiece to the sounds of the music,” King said. “Cape Coral Brewing will also be on site offering samples of their craft beer.”
Purchasing tickets early will get you a discount on the price. Online, Jazz Experience entry is $40 per person, $45 at the gate; VIP is $75 and only available at the gate if space is still available.
This is a rain-or-shine event. Coolers are not permitted, however lawn chairs are. Parking is free, and a shuttle will cart event-goers to and from the venue. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Cape Coral City Hall Parks and Recreation, Brent’s Music and Sound, Achieva Credit Union locations, and throughout the shops in Tarpon Point Marina.
For further information on the annual Sounds of Jazz and Blues music festival, visit CapeConcerts.com.
The Westin/Tarpon Point is at 6179 Black Marlin Lane.