Meadows was born in West Virginia and grew up in Stamford, Connecticut. He began playing the clarinet and studying classical music at the age of nine. He started playing tenor sax in high school, and then migrated to soprano sax. His passion for various types of music led him down an eclectic musical path.

Gumbi Ortiz is known around the world for his exciting conga performance and his knowledge of rhythm and percussion. For the last 24 years Gumbi has been an integral part of superstar guitarist Al Di Meola’s band, he’s also a teacher, a session player and leader of Florida based “The Latino Projekt”. During the last 10 years, The Latino Projekt have grown from a revolving base of young musicians who’ve learned from and played with Gumbi, into a full blown band who record and perform hardcore timba and real Cuban salsa music. The band has released two successful albums, La Cura (2000) and Soy De Aqui (2005) and has toured throughout Florida and the Southeast. As the band continues to evolve and grow, so does the band’s sound. In 2011 The Latino Projekt officially became New Groove City to better reflect a more soulful direction the band has taken.

The Booker High School Jazz band will be performing at GTHB from 11:30 – 12:30. See you there!

René Avich Wanton, new exponent of the Tres guitar in Cuba. Winner of several national competitions: Festival Contest “Ignacio Piñeiro”, “Cubadisco Award 2011″, “Competition Ignacio Villa AHS” 2013. Gold Title of the University of the Arts of Cuba. Cubadisco 2014 Award with the production Jóvenes Treseros de Cuba (Young Tres players of Cuba).

Music has loomed large in Synia’s life since her childhood in Philadelphia where she first began writing her own songs and performing with school and church groups. In high school she ventured out as a solo folk/rock performer, accompanying herself on guitar. Shortly after graduating from Wesleyan University, Synia moved to New York where her smooth, clear vocals were soon recognized, leading to session work with a number of performing and recording artists including Curtis Hairston, Lewis Caisson, Cookie Watkins, jazz harmonica player Will Galison and trombonist Henry Mitchell.

“Sarasota Jazz Project” is a high energy 17 piece jazz ensemble comprised of some of the finest musicians on the West Coast of Florida. These talented all-stars play both original compositions and standard tunes, creatively arranged in a unique contemporary Big Band style. Whether you dance, or listen or both, be prepared to be thoroughly entertained. The Sarasota Jazz Project Big Band performs at jazz concerts, clubs, schools/universities, private clubs, and Jazz Club of Sarasota events throughout the year.

Tom Carabasi is an extremely talented drummer whose work with blending jazz and world music has produced some incredible results. His band has a strong regional draw and plays a huge variety of tunes and styles to please a diverse audience.