Schedule:

May 25, 2024

Hours: Gates open at 2:30 pm

Festival Hours: 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm

DW3
Since 2003, brothers Eric and Billy Mondragon and close family friend Damon Reel have set the high energy mood on cruises (Smooth Jazz Cruise, Dave Koz Cruise, Soul Train Cruise and 80's), at jazz festivals, showrooms, and clubs, including hundreds of performances at their longtime home base of Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA. They also played a key role on Dave Koz and Friends' Grammy nominated Summer Horns project. With four Billboard charting hits – including "I Got You" (featuring Gerald Albright) and "Let the Music," "I Can't Tell You Why" and "California Dreamin'" from their hit 2013 and 2015 albums On the Floor and Vintage Truth – DW3 have also established themselves as a popular national recording group.

The three chose to self-title their latest Woodward Avenue Records recording to reflect the culmination of their steady and inspiring evolution from ultimate, first call party band to multi-faceted artists, songwriters and producers fulfilling their own singular musical vision. "We're really excited about this album," Damon says. "Sonically, our concept was to capture the same types of vibes we convey onstage," Billy adds. "We're a high energy live ensemble that also love lush, sensual ballads, and we kept that in mind when we were recording these new songs. We've had a lot of success with covers, and when we do our cover tunes, we're all about the 70's, 80's and early 90's, and our original material captures those eras with a fresh flavor. The album's got a lot of grooving dance beats with some cool, smooth stuff in there to create the perfect balance. Our challenge was to integrate our old style with a fresh new sound and contemporary melodies. We still love doing classic songs, but the whole point of composing is to draw from those influences to move forward creating our own unique flow."

José Valentino and Charlton Singleton
Maintaining an vibrant career as an internationally touring cross-genre performing and recording artist (flutist, saxophonist, and bassist), four-time GRAMMY Award Winner, EMMY Award Winner, 15-time Global Music Award Winner, and fifty-three-time Downbeat Music Award Winner, José Valentino has performed 1400+ concerts  as a headlining artist in festivals, performing arts centers, and  conferences on six continents; led 40+ non-profit mission trips; delivered 110+ keynotes, concerts, workshops in academic sectors;  consulted numerous Fortune 500 companies; produced 140+ albums and 10 documentaries; and published 54 peer-reviewed research articles. Valentino is Resident Media Composer at Hayden5; CEO at JV Music Enterprises; Founding Program Coordinator of UF Music Business and Entrepreneurship; Director of the Global Institute for Music Research's Commission for Entrepreneurship and Leadership.

Legendary artists describe Valentino's artistry on bass as "Very soulful and heartfelt!" (John Patitucci) and "Amazing and incredible!" (Victor Wooten); on saxophone as "Genius!" (Paquito D'Rivera) and "Openly and unequivocally speaks beyond" (Pedro Eustache); and on flute as "Playing the flute with fire!" (Hubert Laws); and "The best improvisor on flute!" (Jim Walker).

Kayla Waters
Artistically poised pianist Kayla Waters is a chart-topping recording artist, composer, producer, and film-scorer. After signing a new record deal with Shanachie Records, Kayla victoriously releases her brand-new musical offering Presence, a life-giving creative work alluding to the beauty of the ocean and God's abundant love. Beautifully composed and eloquently written, Presence is a stunning addition to her repertoire following albums Coevolve and Apogee. As a 4-time Billboard number 1 artist {I Am, Zephyr, Full Bloom and Open Portals}, Kayla made history by becoming the first female pianist to reign atop the chart for 6 consecutive weeks. Recently, Kayla's musical achievements have been extolled on prestigious platforms, as she was honored with the Rising Star in Jazz Award {Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Foundation of Atlanta} and the Best Jazz Artist Award (The Wammies and The Musicianship) in Washington, DC where she is based. The spotlight has humbly created opportunities for Kayla to play and perform with music legends and prominent recording artists including Stevie Wonder, Patrice Rushen, Avery*Sunshine, Maysa Leak, Sheila E., and Dave Koz to name a few. Passionately alluring, Kayla gracefully flourishes on stage, having played exhilarating and exuberant concerts at intimate venues, illustrious theaters, and acclaimed festivals worldwide. Laced with purpose, the luminous artist shined brightly on national television at BET's acclaimed "Black Girls Rock" awards show, revealing her tenacity and musical diversity by performing with legend Gladys Knight, Marsha Ambrosius, Corinne Bailey Rae and Imani Uzuri. Kayla was also graciously invited to be a featured keyboardist at the inaugural Fender Rhodes Fest in Los Angeles alongside a host of music contemporaries.

Rob Zinn and Andrew Neu
In 2016, veteran vocalist, trumpeter and flugelhornist Rob Zinn launched an exciting new phase of his distinguished, multi-faceted career, emerging as an internationally recognized independent smooth jazz artist and composer with his critically acclaimed albums Walk The Walk (2018) and Yesterday Again (2016). Walk the Walk was selected for the 61st Grammy Ballot for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.  Rob's latest album, Anything Can Happen, was released on April 7, 2023. Once again working with producer Paul Brown, as well as first time collaborations with producers Greg Manning, Roberto Vally, Jeff Canady, John Cassidy, Dennis Johnson, and Adam Hawley.  The latest album is heavy on contemporary grooves, Rob Zinn style, with a few surprises thrown in and features an all-star list of musicians such as Paul Brown, Jeff Ryan, Greg Manning, Andrew Neu, Ragan Whiteside, Blake Aaron, Eric Valentine, Sean Uliasz, Tom Schuman, Roberto Vally, Bob Baldwin, Lew Laing Jr., Adam Hawley, Jeff Canady, Chris Fischer, and Carlyle Barriteau. Songs from the album received airplay on over 125 smooth jazz stations around the world with a listening audience of 154 countries.

By blending a unique mix of jazz, RandB, classical and Latin music, Andrew Neu is one of the most exciting, multi-genre musicians today. He is well respected throughout the industry for his work as a saxophonist, woodwind player, arranger, composer, educator, and Billboard charting recording artist.

Tim George Band
Bassist Tim George has served as the Musical Director and Stage Manager for the Uptown Music and Arts Festival since 2019. Tim's resume' is like a Who's Who in the jazz world. In the contemporary jazz genre he has been lucky enough to perform with and in some cases served as Musical Director with such contemporary jazz artists as Richard Elliot, Euge Groove, Mindi Abair, Jeff Lorber, Kim Waters, Nick Colionne, Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, Marc Antoine, Jeff Golub, Rick Braun, Peter White, The Sax Pack, Brian Simpson, Richard Smith, Jackiem Joyner, Marcus Anderson, Paul Taylor, Elan Trotman, Jessy J, 480 East, Mat Marshak, Jonathon Fritzen, Will Donato, and Blake Aaron. In other genres of jazz, he was fortunate to play with Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Louis Bellson, and Ed Shaughnessy.

May 26, 2024

Hours: Gates open at 2:30 pm

Festival Hours: 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm

ERIC DARIUS
With a trademark jump and crowd-captivating energy throughout his live show, Eric Darius is breaking the mold of modern jazz.

The Billboard chart topping, American saxophonist, songwriter, producer, and performer shines in a vibrant new light as he reinvents himself through ‘Unleashed', an expansive and ambitious genre-spanning album brimming with passion and purpose, soul and sweat, charisma and charm.

Alex Harris
Singer, actor, and philanthropist, ALEX was born the middle child of eight, on September 9th in the quiet town of Manchester, Georgia. Fathered by James Harris, a pastor at the local church, and his mother Carolyn Harris who was a teacher, there were no inclinations of ALEX becoming musically inclined. So, young Harris had limited opportunities to indulge his hunger for rhythm.

Adam Hawley
Guitarist and Producer Adam Hawley has burst on to the scene as a celebrated and innovative artist, composer, and band leader. Handpicked by Maurice White (founder of Earth, Wind, and Fire), Adam first debuted on the legend's label Kalimba Music. In all, Adam's four albums and work as a producer has spawned an incredible 13 Billboard #1 Hits. In its first week, the 3rd record "Escape" was the #1 Selling Album in the Nation, outselling every other contemporary jazz album as per Nielsen. The debut single went on to become the Billboard and Smooth Jazz Network Song of the Year for 2020. He followed this up with the 4th album "Risin' Up;" it's title track again reached the top of the Billboard charts in late '21. 2022 was particularly successful including four more #1's, culminating with 2022 song of the year. Coupling this with a robust touring schedule throughout the world, the best is yet to come.

Paula Atherton
Saxophonist and flutist Paula Atherton has enjoyed a long and varied career in contemporary and mainstream jazz. Her acumen on her instruments is poised and adept. Her full-length album ‘Can You Feel It" has already begun to garner real accolades with her single also titled "Can You Feel It," landing a #1 hit, three weeks in a row on Billboard. What is even more cementing about this accolade is she also landed #1 slots on Mediabase and #1 on the Smooth Jazz Network. Each track is produced by various producers including, Bill Heller, best known as the legendary keyboardist for the Ripppingtons. Longtime collaborator guitarist Lou Gimenez has co-written several of Paula's tunes historically. Other co-writing and production credits include keyboardist Greg Manning, multi-instrumentalist Matt Godina, including multi-instrumentalist Nathan Mitchell, Paul Brown, and the notable Schuyler Deale known for his work with Billy Joel, Michael Bolton, Jeff Lorber, and more. So, what does this all-star line-up of producers and contributors add up to for Atherton? Simply put, a canvas to which Atherton can shine her abilities in the highest preeminent way on her latest album "Can You Feel It."

Tim George Band
Bassist Tim George has served as the Musical Director and Stage Manager for the Uptown Music and Arts Festival since 2019. Tim's resume' is like a Who's Who in the jazz world. In the contemporary jazz genre he has been lucky enough to perform with and in some cases served as Musical Director with such contemporary jazz artists as Richard Elliot, Euge Groove, Mindi Abair, Jeff Lorber, Kim Waters, Nick Colionne, Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, Marc Antoine, Jeff Golub, Rick Braun, Peter White, The Sax Pack, Brian Simpson, Richard Smith, Jackiem Joyner, Marcus Anderson, Paul Taylor, Elan Trotman, Jessy J, 480 East, Mat Marshak, Jonathon Fritzen, Will Donato, and Blake Aaron. In other genres of jazz, he was fortunate to play with Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Louis Bellson, and Ed Shaughnessy.

Date: May 25-26, 2024

Time:
May 25, 2024 from 4:00pm to 10:00pm
May 26, 2024 from 4:00pm to 10:00pm

Location: Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602

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