Celebrating International Jazz Day

Every April 30, International Jazz Day highlights jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. This celebration invites everyone to appreciate the art form that has shaped cultures and communities.

Get Involved and Support Jazz at WUSF

Celebrating Jazz in the Community

Jazz at WUSF Is dedicated to advertising and amplifying jazz music within our community. Our mission is to cultivate a digital space where jazz lovers can connect, learn, and celebrate the music that has defined American culture.


Through a variety of services we offer like a robust events calendar, podcast interviews, video performances, and curated Spotify playlists, we aim to engage local musicians and audiences alike to promote a deeper appreciation for jazz.

Learn More about Jazz at WUSF
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A Quick History of Jazz

Jazz music emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in New Orleans where African, Caribbean, and European musical traditions converged. It began with the blending of blues, ragtime, and brass band music, characterized by an improvisational style. As jazz spread across the United States, it evolved through various phases, including the swing era of the 1930s and 1940s, the bebop revolution of the 1940s and 1950s, and the fusion experiments of the 1960s and 1970s. Over time, jazz musicians have continued to innovate and influence other genres while remaining a form of musical expression.


With over 50 years of support, WUSF is committed to providing a platform to spread awareness and celebrate the joy of jazz. There is such a talented jazz community within Florida, and they deserve to be celebrated.

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Our Jazz Journey

Be sure to explore our portfolio of past jazz sessions that showcase the best of our community. From intimate studio performances to live concerts, each video or podcast episode highlights our musicians' passion for jazz music and their incredible talent.

A poster for stormy weather a jazz concert and hurricane preparedness event
Pianist with long hair plays piano in a band. Other musicians in background: drums, bass, saxophone. Indoors, dim lighting.

Nick Peters Quartet - Studio Sessions video series

By Warren Buchholz • January 26, 2026
The Nick Peters Quartet is a dynamic jazz ensemble led by pianist Nicholas Peters, who has been performing since age four and immersed in jazz since middle school. Based in the Tampa Bay area, Nicholas has performed at renowned venues such as the Straz Center, Ruth Eckerd Hall, the Clearwater Jazz Festival, the Mahaffe
Man singing into microphone at piano, wearing glasses, yellow vest, and shirt. Drummer in background.

Aliqua - Studio Sessions video series

By Warren Buchholz • January 21, 2026
Aliqua, “to some extent”, is a jazz fusion band formed in Tampa, Florida. With members originating from all walks of life and different corners of the world, they blend their cultures and passions into a musical dialogue that listeners can resonate, engage, and change their lives with.
Man in sunglasses plays a saxophone in a radio studio.

Mutant Fusion Collective - Studio Sessions video series

By Warren Buchholz • January 9, 2026
Mutant Fusion Collective (MFC), the jazz/rock sonic conquistadors, have set sail from Dunedin, FL. Fronted by guitarist and bandleader Kirk Yates, MFC has earned a reputation for its genre-blending prowess. Their signature sound seamlessly melds original compositions with classic jazz standards and ‘90s alt-rock anthe
Bryan Hughes & The Crew, performing in a studio. Man sings into a mic. Text:

Bryan Hughes and the Crew - Studio Sessions video series

October 29, 2025
Trained in both traditional and contemporary jazz, American Jazz Vocalist Bryan J. Hughes mixes the seasoned sound of a classic jazz frontman with big band popular stylings and a contemporary R&B smoothness that breathes life into songs both old and new.
A woman singing into a microphone next to a man playing a guitar

Daniela Soledade & Nate Najar - Studio Sessions video series

May 9, 2025
Daniela Soledade is a rising star among legends in the Brazilian music scene. Downbeat Magazine calls Daniela a “master of classic samba and bossa nova.” An heir to the Bossa Nova legacy, Soledade is highly acclaimed for her poignantly expressive vocal style and intimate aesthetic.. With a tremendous talent for paying tribute to her musical heritage while staying true to her own artistry, Soledade is a mix of authentic bossa nova, samba, MPB, and American Popular Song.
A man is playing a piano in a room with a sign that says studio session

Tha Banned - Studio Sessions video series

April 18, 2025
Tha Banned is a 6 piece jazz band consisting of Alejandro “Chach” Coronado (Trumpet), Malachi Elmore-Davis (Trombone), Kingsleyiii (Bass), Jeremiah "Yogi" Warren (Drums), Lincee St. Amand (Vocals) and Johnny Champagne (Keyboard). As a collective of Tampa based musicians and songwriters that started as a jam band in an auto shop, they are committed to spreading the spirit of live music and community.
A man is playing drums in a dark room.

AP3 - Studio Sessions video series

April 11, 2025
The Ayrias Pedigo Trio (AP3) is a jazz trio located in St Petersburg Florida featuring members Ayrias Pedigo, Cole Hazlitt, and Cooper Madden. They play a combination of originals by Ayrias Pedigo and classic jazz standards and are inspired heavily by bebop and ECM era jazz.
A man is playing a piano on a stage in a dark room.

Tal Cohen Trio - 2025 St Petersburg Jazz Festival Night 1

April 9, 2025
The Tal Cohen Trio manages to combine complex, modern jazz concepts with graceful phrasing, thoughtful development and honest expression. The original ideas, high level of communication and spontaneity of the group is a breath of fresh air and proof that jazz has a bright future” – David Manson, Director of EMIT & the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival
A woman singing into a microphone in front of a sign that says studio session

Julie Black and Her Band - Studio Sessions video series

March 31, 2025
Critically-acclaimed singer, songwriter & artist Julie Black writes expansive music rooted in early blues & jazz. A kindred spirit of free and fiery souls, she’s a songwriter whose personal story is deep, complex, and inspiring. Her soulful voice, intuitive approach, and fiery emotional intensity conjure up live performances that are passionate and profound. Deeply-rooted influences like Solomon Burke and Etta James flavor her sound, as do elements of blues, jazz, soul, swing, and rock. Filled with emotional truth, clarity, and vision, Julie Black offers a musical experience that is one-of-a-kind.
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