All year long, the members of Fort Pierce Jazz and Blues Society provide great, live music at an affordable price and offer the community opportunities to enjoy live entertainment and a little bit of fun. Once a year, members like to pull out all the stops and give back by sharing a whole week of awesome music from players near and far. 2023 is no exception, so mark your calendars and plan to join the fun…all of it open to the public and much of it free.
Jazz Week 2023 will kick off on Sunday, March 19th with Waterside Blues. If you’re not familiar with it, Waterside Blues is a free, annual concert held on Melody Lane, right by the fountains and the beautiful Indian River. This year, the afternoon concert will cover something for everyone, starting at 1:15 p.m. with Fort Pierce Jazz and Blues Society’s own Jazz Ensemble, playing music from the All-American Songbook and providing loads of opportunities for dancing and merriment. At 3 p.m., fan-favorites the Reckless Shots will take the stage and rock your world with bluesy guitars and an energy you just won’t find elsewhere. Bring your lawn chairs, a blanket, or sit under the tents on chairs we’ll provide – however you choose to listen, you’ll enjoy every minute of this very special gift. Vendors will be on hand to offer adult beverages and food items to keep you well-fueled for the free afternoon of fun and music.
On Tuesday, we’ll share our gratitude once again as we gather at the Sunrise Black Box Theatre in historic downtown Fort Pierce. We’ll have our regular jam with sit-ins starting at 7 p.m., but at 8:30, the Matt Wiggler Band will take the stage and blow your mind. The Matt Wiggler Band has performed at venues and jazz/blues festivals around the world. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Wiggler began his music career at the young age of 13, with the release of his first studio album. In 2009, Matt’s second album, “Epiphony”, was nominated for Best Jazz CD by the Washington DC Area Music Association. As a musical artist, Matt has performed at major venues including The Kennedy Center, Strathmore Music Center, Adrienne Arsht Center, Detroit Music Hall, Blues Alley, Birdland Jazz Club, Monterey Blues Festival, and Motor City Blues & Boogie Woogie Festival. Wiggler’s immense talent and ability to work a crowd will make for a memorable night of music and a great addition to Jazz Week 2023.
On Wednesday, we’ll feature a special guest at our usual weekly jam session at Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens starting at 6:30, so help make hump-day go by with a little bit of music.
Thursdays during Jazz Week are always special as we close down 2nd Street and bring together FDO, our big-swingin’ band playing music designed for dancing, which is exactly what will happen from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. right there on 2nd Street in our beautiful, historic downtown. It’s fun for the whole family, and there are loads of wonderful eateries right there in downtown, so you can grab dinner and get a free show, to boot.
To wind up Jazz Week 2023, we’ll be offering one final free concert on Melody Lane, and this one is perfect for a lunchtime picnic. Our beloved and talented Max Duhalde and his Latin Heritage Band will set the perfect tempo to start your weekend early and will play from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. right there by the waterside in Fort Pierce. And just when you thought it was safe to call the week and take off your dancing shoes, think again because at 7 p.m. at the Sunrise Black Box, we’re planning one last thank you event to share our gratitude and love of music with the community we call home. We’re not going to tell you who the surprise guest will be; just trust us – you’ll want to be there to join the fun and enjoy the music.
We know it’s a lot, and believe us, we’re beat by the end of the week with all those concerts, but we wouldn’t have it any other way, and we hope you wouldn’t either. If you’d like to know more about what we do and how you can get involved, give us a call today at 772.460.JAZZ, or stop by one of our live events and introduce yourself. And if you want to know about all our upcoming gigs in advance so you can plan your week, become a member with just a click at www.jazzsociety.org, and we’ll send you an invite to every one of them.
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