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<\/p>\nAfter 35 years with the St. Pete College Dept. of Music, David R. Manson will retire this summer to devote all of his time and talent to composing and arranging, and leading the city\u2019s only big band, the Helios Jazz Orchestra.<\/p>\n
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David R. Manson. File photo.<\/p>\n
A trombonist by trade, Manson has been in academia since 1984 (he taught music at Indiana State University before signing on the dotted line with SPC). Through his organization EMIT, he has been involved in producing, presenting (and performing) various forms of music, some of it experimental, in St. Pete for several decades.<\/p>\n
He also plays original Brazilian music in his band O Som do Jazz. And he created and curates the annual St. Petersburg Jazz Festival.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been one and a half, two jobs for the past 30 years at least,\u201d Manson reflects. \u201cSo I\u2019m looking forward to a little slowing down of the pace.\u201d<\/p>\n
The jazz festival\u2019s 17th iteration happens April 8-11 on the Warehouse Arts District\u2019s ArtsXchange outdoor stage. Whereas previous editions have included concerts at different locations around the city, Manson\u2019s EMIT has partnered with Warehouse Arts District Association president Markus Gottschlich to do it all, first concert to last, on the retractable aluminum stage erected on the ArtsXchange campus in 2023.<\/p>\n
Manson was all for establishing a home base for his festival. \u201cIt gives it an identity,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s a wonderful little stage, and they\u2019re very hospitable. And Markus has experience hosting jazz festivals before. So we\u2019re on the same wavelength, and that helps a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
The St. Petersburg Jazz Festival has always been about the quality of the music. For 17 years, Manson has insisted on that, as opposed to laying out the big bucks for so-called \u201cname\u201d acts on their way down the other side of success.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne thing we try not to do is play it safe,\u201d he says. \u201cWe try to bring in interesting acts, interesting musicians, and not second-guess what people will hopefully like.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of it\u2019s personal. I want to assist regional artists as much as possible. And we have great talent here, so why hire people coming in from San Francisco when we have people that are as good, here in Florida?\u201d<\/p>\n
Schedule (all performances at 7:30 p.m.)<\/p>\n
Wednesday, April 8<\/p>\n
Alexis Cole and Helios Jazz Orchestra<\/p>\n
New York-based vocalist Alexis Cole makes her third appearance in front of the 18-member Helios Jazz Orchestra. Cole, who\u2019ll conduct a free vocal workshop April 7 at St. Petersburg College, headed the Jazz Vocal program at SUNY Purchase College, where one of her students was Samara Joy (McLendon), who has (so far) won five Grammy Awards. Said L.A. Jazz Scene of Cole: \u201cA very talented singer with a warm voice, a solid sense of swing, and a winning musical personality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fun fact: Cole studied Indian Classical Singing at the Jazz India Vocal Institute in Mumbai.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Alexis-Cole-2-300x208.jpg\")
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Vocalist Alexis Cole. Publicity photo.<\/p>\n
Thursday, April 9<\/p>\n
Johnbern Thomas Quintet, Randy Bordon Trio<\/p>\n
7:30 PM at the Warehouse Arts District<\/p>\n
Afro-Cuban grooves with modern jazz and funk sensibilities. Cuban-born bassist Boden\u2019s trio also includes Pablo Arencibia: keyboards, and Diego Azcuy: drums and percussion.<\/p>\n
Haitian drummer Johnbern Thomas \u201cblends the complex rhythms of his Caribbean heritage with modern hard-bop sensibilities,\u201d according to Manson\u2019s official program notes; he is \u201ccelebrated for his explosive energy and melodic approach to the drums, leading a group of virtuosic musicians through original compositions that are as emotionally resonant as they are technically profound.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Friday, April 10<\/p>\n
Markus Gottschlich Trio, Hot Club SRQ<\/p>\n
Steeped in the \u201cJazz Manouche\u201d tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, Hot Club SRQ transports is led by Keven Aland. \u201cHe\u2019s a world-class jazz violinist,\u201d Manson tells the Catalyst. \u201cThere aren\u2019t too many of them in the world, and he\u2019s one of them. And he just happens to live in Sarasota. So we\u2019re very fortunate; they\u2019re a top-notch group.\u201d The acoustic string ensemble also includes Jon McLaughlin on acoustic guitar and Glenn Stevenson playing double bass.<\/p>\n
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Keven Aland, left, and Jon McLaughlin of Hot Club SRQ. Website photo.<\/p>\n
Saturday, April 11<\/p>\n
Martin Bejerano\u2019s #CubanAmerican Trio with Dafnis Prieto, Downtown Trio Plus One<\/p>\n
A blend of Latin, Cuban, and fusion-informed post-bop jazz signals a performance from acclaimed South Florida pianist and composer\u00a0Martin Bejerano. Writes Manson: \u201cA sophisticated, high-energy fusion that challenges the conventional boundaries of the piano trio.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grammy-winning drummer Dafnis Prieto (a MacArthur \u201cGenius\u201d Fellow) sits in with closing night headliner The\u00a0Downtown Trio, including saxophone player\u00a0David Pate and the \u201cPlus One\u201d of Tampa Bay jazz guitar great\u00a0LaRue Nickelson.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Dafnis-Prieto-300x217.jpg\")
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