HEADLINER: The Count Basie Orchestra

The St. Johns Cultural Council and Romanza St. Augustine present:

Don’t miss this very special performance by the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra – winner of the 2024 GRAMMY for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album – at Lewis Auditorium, Flagler College. The orchestra is directed by Scotty Barnhart with guest vocalist Carmen Bradford.

Since Basie’s passing in 1984, Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Grover Mitchell, Bill Hughes, Dennis Mackrel, and now Scotty Barnhart, have led the Count Basie Orchestra and maintained it as one of the elite performing organizations in Jazz.

Current members include musicians hired by Basie himself: Frequent guest vocalist Carmen Bradford (joined in 1983) and trombonist Clarence Banks (joined in 1984). Long-time members include Doug Miller (1989, formerly w/Lionel Hampton), and members who have joined in the last 15-25 years; trombonists David Keim (formerly w/Stan Kenton), Alvin Walker and Mark Williams, guitarist Will Matthews, trumpeter Endre Rice, saxophonists Doug Lawrence (formerly w/Benny Goodman, Buck Clayton) and returning on lead alto, David Glasser. Newer members include bassist Trevor Ware, trumpeters Brandon Lee and returning member, Shawn Edmonds, our new lead trumpeter Frank Greene III, pianist Glen Pearson and the youngest members; 27 year old Robert Boone on drums, Joshua Lee on baritone saxophone and Markus Howell on alto.

This event is a centerpiece of the annual Romanza Festival of Music and the Arts, where you can experience dozens of musical, theatre and dance performances, visual arts exhibitions, culinary events and more, from May 3rd to May 19th, 2024.

For tickets, CLICK HERE. Plan your trip to St. Augustine at HistoricCoastCulture.com.