Valerie Gillespie and her ensemble return to the Mahaffey Theater’s popular Bayview Room – Jazz Jamm Concert Series after a highly successful concert performance in 2009. This under-rated jazz group continues to make intelligent and exciting, uninhibited jazz music clued-up by both mainstream and traditional jazz enthusiasts. The Dade City – based multi-instrumentalist (alto, tenor, baritone, and soprano saxophones; alto and concert flutes, including clarinet) is joined by her regular sidemen Rick Steuart, keyboards, and Joe Renda on drums. These three musicians are deserving of much wider recognition.

Gillespie’s crisp lines and warm lyricism on either one of her instruments recall a time when jazz players could be identified within two bars of a solo. Both her vocal and instrumental styles produce an energetic sound that automatically entices the audience through a wide variety of recognizable songs. Up-tempo pieces by the ensemble are performed with a youthful optimism; distinctive soloing by each ensemble member elevates their music to new levels of perfection. Be sure to list this concert on your calendar, as one you don’t want to miss!