Jazz legend highlights six-day festival in Sarasota

Pianist Dick Hyman, 96, thrilled the crowd inside the Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park.

By Ian Swaby
| 5:45 p.m. March 18, 2023

Sarasota
Neighbors

With hundreds of jazz fans filing into the Circus Sarasota big top March 17 at Nathan Benderson Park for the Sarasota Jazz Festival, Susana Ramlie was impressed with the scene before her.

“I love it," Ramlie said. "It’s amazing that it’s so big.”

It wasn't the only amazing thing about the six-day event, which had both indoor and outdoor stages.

On March 17, the lineup included a performance by 96-year-old pianist and composer Dick Hyman. Other performances that evening included Brazilian jazz guitarist Diego Figueiredo, singer-songwriter Kurt Elling, guitarist and songwriter Charlie Hunter and the Tampa Bay-based trio La Lucha.

Sarasota Jazz Festival Director Nik Walker said the main purpose of the Jazz Club of Sarasota, which hosted the event, is to keep jazz alive.

Walker said the number of jazz radio stations and artists is dwindling and that the club wanted to offer high-quality jazz performances to the community.

Vic Caserta was happy he attended the event.

“With Dick Hyman playing the way he does at his age, and Diego’s Brazilian techniques, it’s fantastic,” Caserta said.

Telma Siker said she came to see Figueiredo.

“I think he’s amazing,” Siker said. “What he can do with a guitar is fantastic.”

Figueiredo wanted to be on top of his game because the audience was "hot." He also said the night was special for him for another reason.

“To be here and perform with Dick Hyman, this legend, was fantastic,” Figueiredo said.

The event took place inside the Circus Sarasota tent at Nathan Benderson Park.

Jazz Club volunteer Sherelle Matthews and Ingrid Summers catch up with one another.

Dick Hyman, Diego Figueiredo, and Terell Stafford perform.

Trumpet player and Sarasota Jazz Festival Music Director Terell Stafford performs.

The Circus Arts Conservatory staff members Aaron Watkins, Irene Certas, and Cal Bonnett serve Ken and Anne Mierzykowski.

Bob Seymour, former jazz director for WUSF-FM (89.7) and honorary board member of the Jazz Club, addresses the crowd.

Kenny Banks, Jr. and Kurt Elling perform.

Guitarist Charlie Hunter was featured in an ensemble led by singer Kurt Elling.

Festival Director Nik Walker addresses the crowd.

Guitarist Charlie Hunter and drummer Corey Fonville were included in an ensemble with singer Kurt Ellling.

Diego Figueiredo signs an album for Stuart and Tracey Kirchner.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.