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
  • A man and a woman standing next to a yellow sign that says studio sessions

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A group of people are posing for a picture in front of a sign that says ordinance one.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man wearing headphones is playing a record in front of a wusp npr sign

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A group of people are posing for a picture in front of a record player.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A group of men are standing next to each other in a room.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A group of people are standing in a large room with a piano.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man is giving a presentation in front of a group of people.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A group of people are sitting at a table talking into microphones.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A group of people are posing for a picture in front of a yellow sign that says studio sessions.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A woman singing into a microphone in front of a sign that says studio session

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man is playing an electric guitar in a dark room.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man is playing a piano in front of a sign that says studio session

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man is standing in front of a table with a yellow table cloth.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A group of people are standing in a recording studio.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man is playing drums in a dark room.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man in a suit is playing a piano in a dark room.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A band is playing on a stage in front of a crowd

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A group of people posing for a picture in front of a sign that says freedom

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Two men are playing saxophones and trumpets in a room.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man is playing a piano in front of a group of musicians.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man in a yellow shirt is playing drums in a room.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A white van is parked in front of a red background.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man in a suit is playing a trombone in front of a microphone.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man is playing a piano in a dark room.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A group of people are playing instruments in a room.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A black and white photo of a man playing a saxophone on a stage

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man is singing into a microphone on a stage while another man plays a saxophone.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A woman is standing in front of a microphone in a studio.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A woman is singing into a microphone in a dark room.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A group of people are playing instruments in a room.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A woman is singing into a microphone in a recording studio.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A table with a blue table cloth that says arts axis florida

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A group of people are sitting at tables in a room with a band on stage.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

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.

Sign up for the Jazz Newsletter

Newsletter Signup

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
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.
A man in a suit is playing a piano in a dark room.

Ruffus 4-tet - Studio Sessions video series

January 14, 2025
Rafael "Ruffus" Silva is a Boston based Jazz piano player with nearly two decades of experiences. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and majored in Performance. He plays about 15+ instruments and is proficient in Jazz piano, saxophone, flute, and bass. He specializes in Jazz music from the early to mid 20th century and performs with a repertoire of over 900+ songs.
A man with a beard is playing a saxophone in a dark room.

Ryan Devlin Trio - Studio Sessions video series

By Ryan Devlin • December 20, 2024
Ryan Devlin is a 27-year-old saxophonist and music educator from Orlando, FL Ryan started his musical journey with his father Scott Devlin who was the leader of the Walt Disney World Sax Quartet.
A man in a yellow shirt is playing drums in a room.

Rod Alnord Quartet - Studio Sessions video series

By Rod Alnord • December 16, 2024
Rod Alnord is Haitian-born drummer with multiple musical influences including Jazz, Gospel/Worship, and Afro-Caribbean Music. He studied at the University of South Florida under Ric Craig and Bob McCormick. He has since developed his playing style, inspired by the explosive Elvin Jones and modern-day drummer Brian Blade.
A man is playing a guitar while a woman sings into a microphone.

Rich & Rose - Studio Sessions video series

December 2, 2024
Sarasota's Rich & Rose brings together the guitar work of Charley Rich with the captivating vocals of Daenah Rose. For four years, this duo has been charming audiences with their blend of American Songbook classics, jazz favorites, pop, and original compositions. The passion for their music infuses their performances with genuine joy and infectious enthusiasm.
A man is playing a piano in front of a group of musicians.

Steamin' Jazz - Studio Sessions video series

By Steamin' Jazz • November 20, 2024
Led by founder Holly Cordero, Steamin’ Jazz is made up of players from the Central Florida area with a sense of New York Flair. Steamin’ Jazz plays tunes from jazz standards to brazilian to Funk to arrangements of pop tunes in a Jazz fashion.
Watch More Studio Sessions

Keep Jazz Alive

We need your ongoing support to continue providing all of the wonderful videos, podcasts, and community support going. If you're able and willing, donate today.