Arts Alive! podcast: Bryan J. Hughes

St. Petersburg has a tightly-knit jazz community, where musicians often come together in small or larger groups, or play in duos or trios, or simply show up, instrument in hand, and play wherever they’re requested.

Inevitably, everyone enjoys themselves tremendously.

Many of the world-class jazz players from this side of the bay, or from Tampa, are (or were) associated with the exemplary music programs at the University of South Florida, St. Pete College and the University of Tampa. Some are graduates, some teach, some are both.

Today’s guest on the Arts Alive! podcast, vocalist Bryan J. Hughes, is a familiar figure at jazz clubs, and on the concert stage, in both cities. He has steady gigs at both the Floridian Social Club and the Horse & Jockey Pub, and is more-than-frequently joined by one, two, three or more of the best players around.

Hughes is appearing tonight (Friday, Feb. 16) at the Palladium Theatre’s Side Door – one of the hippest jazz spots in town – to celebrates the release of a collaborative new album, Bryan J. Hughes and the Crew.

Check out this Crew tonight: James Suggs (trumpet), John O’Leary (piano), Alejandro Arenas (bass) and Jean Bolduc (drums). There’s a special guest tonight, but you’ll have to listen to the podcast to hear who it is!

Click on the arrow to listen to the interview.