St. Petersburg Jazz Festival

Location: St. Petersburg, Fl
Date: April 8 - 11, 2026

With 17 years of history, the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival is presented by David Manson and the nonprofit EMIT and features unique jazz artists in many jazz genres. Workshops and educational activities are also incorporated into the jazz festival. Concerts take place in the Palladium Theater and Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement (MAACM) where pleasant acoustic environments and listening are the primary focus.

The St. Petersburg Jazz Festival is sponsored in part by EMIT, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, Florida Council on Arts and Culture, City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas Community Foundation and Creative Pinellas.

The Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA) & EMIT are teaming up to present the 2026 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival! The festival is April 8 - 11 at the Warehouse Arts District Rosie Cohen ArtsXchange Stage.

Alexis Cole & Helios Jazz Orchestra
Wednesday April 8
7:30 PM at the ArtsXchange in the Warehouse Arts District

“We’ve been waiting for the next great singer to come along, and finally…Alexis”– Swing Journal Japan

Award-winning vocalist Alexis Cole joins forces with the Helios Jazz Orchestra for a powerhouse performance of big band standards and modern arrangements. Known for her "honey-toned" voice and effortless swing, Cole has performed with the finest ensembles globally. The Helios Jazz Orchestra, directed by David Manson, brings a lush, 18-piece wall of sound that perfectly complements Cole’s sophisticated phrasing. Expect a night of timeless elegance, soulful storytelling, and the high-octane energy that only a premier jazz orchestra can provide.

Johnbern Thomas Quintet & Randy Bordon Trio

Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 PM

7:30 PM at the ArtsXchange in the Warehouse Arts District

opening act - Randy Bordon Trio

Cuban-born bassist and producer Randy Bordon leads an eclectic trio that serves as a vibrant bridge between Havana and Florida’s jazz scene. 

Johnbern Thomas Quintet

Hailing from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, drummer Johnbern Thomas is a vital force in the contemporary jazz scene. His quintet blends the complex rhythms of his Caribbean heritage with modern hard-bop sensibilities. Their performance is a testament to the global language of jazz, bridging cultures through percussive innovation and spirited improvisation.

Markus Gottschlich Trio & Hot Club SRQ

Friday, April 10 at 7:30 PM

7:30 PM at the ArtsXchange in the Warehouse Arts District

opening act - Hot Club SRQ

Steeped in the "Jazz Manouche" tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, Hot Club SRQ transports audiences to the bustling cafes of 1930s Paris. Led by the virtuosic violin of Keven Aland, this acoustic string ensemble delivers a high-energy mix of Gypsy Jazz, rumba flamenco, and Bossa Nova.

Markus Gottschlich Trio

Austrian-born pianist and composer Markus Gottschlich brings a unique European perspective to the American jazz tradition. His trio is acclaimed for its intricate interplay and cinematic soundscapes, often drawing inspiration from Gottschlich’s global travels and background in classical music. This performance showcases a sophisticated fusion of traditional jazz structures and contemporary experimentation, highlighting Gottschlich’s reputation as one of the most compelling pianists of his generation.

Martin Bejerano's #CubanAmerican Trio with Dafnis Prieto & Downtown Trio Plus One

Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 PM

7:30 PM at the ArtsXchange in the Warehouse Arts District

opening act - The Downtown Trio Plus One

The Downtown Trio Plus One delivers an intricate blend of classic jazz and modern exploration. The group has Joe Porter on double bass and John Jenkins on drums, the soaring saxophone work of David Pate, elevated by the "Plus One" of the evening: the fluid guitar styling of LaRue Nickelson. 

#CubanAmerican Trio

In his #CubanAmerican Trio, pianist Martin Bejerano explores the duality of his identity, blending his deep American jazz upbringing with the fiery Afro-Cuban rhythms of his heritage. The result is a sophisticated, high-energy fusion that challenges the conventional boundaries of the piano trio.

For this special performance, the trio is joined by the legendary Dafnis Prieto, a MacArthur "Genius" Fellow and GRAMMY Award winner. GRAMMY winning bassist and composer Edward Perez joins the trio. Together, Bejerano, Prieto and Perez engage in a vibrant exploration of cultural synthesis, reflecting the diverse and evolving landscape of Miami’s music scene.

Would you like to be part of this new Florida jazz tradition? Contact Director David Manson to talk with him about concerts and sponsorship: mansond@spcollege.edu