Summer is usually a dormant season for South Florida musicians. Especially jazz musicians, who frequently perform in establishments that sometimes eliminate live entertainment during summers because most tourists have left for cooler climates.
Which means that area fans of one of America’s greatest audio art forms are also figuratively left out in the cold while bearing the brunt of the seasonal heat.
Yet Glazer Hall in Palm Beach offers a cool remedy for area jazz lovers, whether musicians or listeners; locals or visitors.
Its inaugural Summer Jazz Series features three preeminent South Florida jazz artists — the Yvette Norwood-Tiger Jazz Ensemble, the Copeland Davis Ensemble, and Troy Anderson and the Wonderful World Band — every other Wednesday between July 8 and August 5.
Curated in partnership with the Palm Beach International Jazz Festival, the annual event presented every spring in celebration of UNESCO’s International Jazz Day, the series also includes an alternative to the theater seating at the former Royal Poinciana Playhouse.
The new waterfront venue’s additional jazz club seating allows patrons to enjoy snacks and drinks from the lobby bar at cabaret-style tables during the shows.
“We wanted to do something fun during the summer months that showcased incredible talent and is an easy night out after work,” says Glazer Hall’s executive director Allison Stockel. “This is more than just catching a great show, it is a place to meet other people and just enjoy the waterfront view, a drink on the terrace, and feel like you’re in a jazz club in New York City.”
In addition to being the founder and director of the Palm Beach International Jazz Festival, Norwood-Tiger is an award-winning multi-lingual jazz vocalist, recording artist, songwriter, international touring artist, and Recording Academy voting member.
Her presentation of “Billie, Ella, Nina & I” on July 8 salutes a significant portion of the transplanted Detroit native’s roots. Norwood-Tiger’s interpretations of legendary jazz vocalists Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone have already made her a favorite with South Florida audiences. Her intonation, scat-singing and storytelling capabilities, while backed by her ever-talented jazz ensemble, will be on full display.
Pianist Davis, a South Florida legend, performs July 22. The Florida native studied music at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, then relocated to areas including Sin City before he found South Florida calling him back.
“I’m originally from Orlando,” he says, “but lived and performed in Las Vegas at rooms like the Stardust and Holiday International from 1978 to 1982 before moving to Massachusetts. I’d studied music in Palm Beach County, and love it here, so I moved back in 2003.”
The dazzling pianist has also written arrangements for 1970s pop vocal hit-makers The Fifth Dimension, released multiple albums, and appeared on The Tonight Show and Good Morning, America. Most recently, his medleys of jazz and pop classics have been presented during a long-standing house gig at Café Centro in West Palm Beach, often in the restaurant’s appropriately titled Legends Room.
August 4 would have been the late Louis Armstrong’s 125th birthday, but on August 5, trumpeter and vocalist Troy Anderson brings “Satchmo” to life. Backed by his Wonderful World Band, Anderson is known throughout South Florida and beyond for recreating both the fiery trumpet playing and trademark vocal growl of Armstrong — perhaps the most influential instrumental and singing combination in jazz history.
A former paratrooper, Anderson fell in love with Armstrong’s music while playing with the United States Army’s 2nd Armored Division Jazz Band in Germany. His career as one of the world’s top “Pops” interpreters has soared ever since. Guests can even enjoy a specialty cocktail, the Orange Satchmo, named in honor of the late New Orleans native.
If You Go
The Summer Jazz Series takes place at Glazer Hall, 70 Royal Poinciana Way, Suite P70, Palm Beach.
When: 7 p.m. July 8, July 22 and August 5
Tickets: $65-$85
Info: 561-576-7860, glazerhall.org