Jazz at the MACC: Jazz Influenced by Africa

Sponsored in part by Robert Opatrny & Susan Sutherland; Victor & Jackie Solomon

The Kuumba Dancers & Drummers have been sharing authentic West African drum and dance culture in Tampa Bay since 1980. This season they’ll join the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective for an ambitious show that is a fusion of Jazz with West African drumming and dance. The Gulf Coast Jazz Collective is inviting Master Drummer and teacher Cheikh N’Dong from Senegal, Dundunfola Domenique Green, and professional West African dancers Kya Conner and Beryl Colbert for a celebration and fusion of Jazz and West African drum and dance. Artistic Director Paul Gavin’s goal from the beginning of the Jazz Collective was to bring to Southwest Florida rare Jazz experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. This definitely qualifies!

Gulf Coast Jazz Collective

Founded in 2021, the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective brings the best of live Jazz performance to Southwest Florida. Under the artistic direction of drummer, educator, composer & arranger Paul Gavin, the Jazz Collective invites the best artists from the country to collaborate in concerts that span the entire genre of Jazz.