A blurry picture of the word side door on a blue background
Banner for the 2015 Sarasota Jazz Festival, March 09-14, featuring band members playing instruments on a blue background.
A black and white logo for arts axis florida with a trumpet.

Continuing the Legacy of WUSF Jazz

JAZZ ON ARTS AXIS FLORIDA celebrates Florida's rich jazz history and the large community of musicians and venues that make live performances possible by continuing WUSF Jazz's 56-year legacy: showcasing the best of live, local jazz through providing digital resources and advertising opportunities to jazz musicians, organizations, and venues throughout Florida.

2026 Sarasota Jazz Festival logo. Orange jazz horn graphic on blue background. Dates: March 9-14 at Municipal Auditorium. Website: sarasotajazzfestival.com.
Jazz event poster:
Cozy winter jazz mix cover art with text on blurred sweater and bokeh lights.
December 4, 2025
Settle into the season with warm jazz melodies, soft swing, and smooth ballads. This mix captures the feeling of falling snow, glowing lights, and quiet nights spent in comfort.
A spooky jazz playlist with ghosts and bats on a purple background
October 13, 2025
Just in time for Halloween! Listen to some spooky, creepy, eerie, and mysterious jazz tunes. From big band to free jazz to free metal jazz, we've curated an eclectic mix of songs for your next party or night in. Be sure to turn the lights off, light some candles, and get into the Halloween vibe.
Cool Jazz Mix album art: Miles Davis with trumpet, purple background, white text.
October 4, 2025
Experience the smooth, sophisticated sounds of cool jazz with artists like Miles Davis, Lee Konitz, and Lennie Tristano. This mix brings laid-back grooves, subtle harmonies, and effortless style that defined an era. Press play and let the music take you into a world of calm brilliance.

What's New in Jazz

Woman in green dress on a beige couch, podcast graphic, with text
By Warren Buchholz January 13, 2026
Meet Laila Biali. She’s a Multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter, pianist and CBC Music national radio host of the program Saturday Night Jazz. She is a JUNO award winner and has recently released a new album Wintersongs. She will be performing at the Carrollwood Cultural Center in Tampa on Jan
Man in sunglasses plays a saxophone in a radio studio.
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
Man in a black shirt gestures, seated by conga drums. Percussion instruments surround him in a studio.
January 7, 2026
Gumbi Ortiz a 30 year veteran of The Al Di Meola Group, was born and raised in The South Bronx, Gumbi has Recorded, performed, and/or Produced, some of today’s most diverse and acclaimed musicians on the Planet