The American Rag, a California traditional jazz monthly, has recognized the Jazz Society of Pensacola (JSOP) for its efforts in promotion of jazz in our area. The piece by owner/editor Don Jones entitled Bringing The Music to The People! emphasizes the fact that JSOP presents three distinctly different programs each month – a jazz jam at Unique Cafe in Gulf Breeze, Blue Monday at Five Sisters Blues Cafe and a jazz event by select bands, either local or national, at a Jazz Gumbo event at Seville Quarter.
Vocalist and pianist Crystal Joy Albert, president of the Jazz Society, said, “We reach a wide audience by providing a variety of musical experiences on three Mondays each month. At a jazz jam, one can hear combinations of musicians not usually heard elsewhere. At our Blue Monday event, the Five Sisters serve great food and the music has a blues-jazz flavor. The management at Seville Quarter has been wonderfully supportive during our thirty-year history. The third-Monday Jazz Gumbo event is our longest-running program.”
Ms. Albert commented further, “We pleased and proud of the national recognition from the American Rag, a leading traditional jazz publication. Also our Jazz Society has provided national leadership as well. Norman Vickers, a founder of the Jazz Society of Pensacola and Pensacola JazzFest, served as president of the American Federation of Jazz Societies and also served as editor of their quarterly newsletter for nine years; this was at a time when he was also engaged in the busy practice of medicine! Dr. Vickers was recognized for his continued service to jazz by Mayor Hayward. A resolution honoring his service and the key to the city was presented at our April JazzFest.”
Ms. Albert concluded, “Pensacola JazzFest 2013 will be held Saturday-Sunday April 6-7 in historic Seville Square. This free festival will celebrate JSOP and Pensacola JazzFest’s 30th anniversary. We are teaming with Viva Florida, celebrating 500th anniversary of discovery of Florida by Ponce de
Leon. We are partnering with others in the community to make a week’s celebration of music, culminating with Pensacola JazzFest.”