Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club to host blues and jazz concert this Sunday
The annual Sanibel Blues and Jazz Fest on the islands is back, and tickets are going quick.
Hosted by the Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club, the festival will take place on Nov. 4 from noon to 7 p.m. in the backyard of the Bailey’s Center on Sanibel. Pioneered in 2016, it serves as a fundraiser for the club’s scholarship program, with some of the proceeds also benefitting two island organizations.
“It’s a great outdoor music event for the community that people really enjoy,” Stan Howard, the club’s president, said. “There really isn’t any large outdoor music events like there used to be on the island.”
He explained that some of the proceeds raised from the event go toward Community Housing & Resources, while some also go to the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge.
“The rest of it goes toward our six, four-year college scholarships,” Howard said.
This year’s headlining acts are JP Soars and Kenny Neal.
According to bios provided, JP Soars – not a typical blues guitarist – is receiving an encore performance from the 2016 festival. He has a diverse musical background encompassing a multitude of influences. Soars toured the globe and recorded several records with some of the most extreme metal bands in the world before finding his home in the blues.
Born in New Orleans and raised in Baton Rouge, Neal began playing music at a young age. He is known as a modern swamp-blues and multi-instrumentalist who draws from the sizzling sounds of his native Louisiana. Among his accomplishments, Neal has been nominated for a few Grammies – most recently Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2017 – and he won two Blues Music Awards for Best Contemporary Blues Album and Best Contemporary Male Blues Artist.
Howard noted that it is Neal’s first time performing at the island event.
“He’s a Grammy nominee with multiple various awards,” he said.
The rest of the lineup consists of the Florida Gulf Coast University Jazz Ensemble, island native Johnny Jensen, and the Marty Stokes Band. The night ends with a jam session by all the performers.
“The Marty Stokes Band is, of course, a well-known local talent,” Howard said.
Playing clubs and festivals around Florida, the band has placed in the annual International Blues Challenges hosted by the South Florida Blues Society and the Suncoast Blues Societies, as well as has won multiple People’s Choice Awards through the Southwest Florida Blues Society competitions.
Jensen, 15, is an award-winning blues enthusiast from Captiva. He has played alongside legends, including Bryan Lee, Matt Schofield and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Elvin Bishop. Jensen has also played at several famous venues around the country, such as the Douglas Corner Cafe in Nashville and The Red Room at Cafe 939 in Boston.
“What a phenomenal protege,” he said. “He is just a fantastic blues guitarist.”
Gradually becoming a top collegiate ensembles, the FGCU group performs a variety of styles pertaining to the jazz idioms and has been featured at the Landings Music Festival. The FGCU Jazz Combo is a smaller chamber group composed of the top players and performs for various campus events, including the Celebration of Excellence Ceremony.
“The kids did such a great job before we invited them back,” Howard said.
“There’s going to be six players this year,” he added.
Ticket donations are $40 for general admission and $125 for VIP.
“It’s limited to 800 people,” Howard said. “And tickets are going quickly.”
VIP admission includes reserved seating and parking, an event T-shirt, meet the bands, raw and champagne bar, food and beverages. General admission ticket-holders are reminded to bring chairs or blankets; food and a range of beverages, including beer and wine, will be available for purchase.
Billy’s Rentals will have chairs for rent for $5, with the proceeds to be donated to the cause.
No outside food, beverages or coolers may be brought onto the festival grounds.
George and Wendy’s Seafood Grille and Bailey’s General Store donated the food and drinks.
“They are awesome partners in this event,” he said.
Parking will be available at The Community House, Sanibel Congre-gational United Church of Christ, SunTrust Bank and the Sanibel U.S. Post Office with shuttle service available to the festival. Additional parking will be available at the Bank of America across from the festival for those holding VIP tickets.
Island Taxi is providing the shuttle service for the parking lots.
Handicap parking will be available at Bailey’s, with Special Valet Bicycle Parking on site.
Those interested are encouraged to pick up tickets soon.
“It’s a fun and exciting event, filled with a lot of energy, and while you’re having fun you’re also supporting the community,” Howard said.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com by searching for “Sanibel Blues & Jazz Fest,” or in-person at Bailey’s General Store, The Sanibel Cafe and day of at the entrance to the festival.
For more information, call 239-472-0836 or visit www.facebook.com/Sanibel BluesandJazzFestival.
The Bailey’s Center is at the corner of Periwinkle Way and Tarpon Bay Road on Sanibel.