Friday, October 24, 2014

Nov. 18 - Nik Sharp & the Helios Jazz Orchestra at the Side Door


Helios Jazz Orchestra and Nik Sharp revisit the classic music of the 1966 live album, Sinatra at the Sands with favorites including “Come Fly With Me,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Fly Me To The Moon,” “Nice & Easy” and many more.

From 2001 to 2011 Nik Sharp was the lead singer and songwriter for the popular, alternative rock band, Suburban Tragedy. His band found success with their song “Epitome of Me” topping the charts at 97X WSUN, Tampa. For seven long years, the listeners of 97X also identified the Fisher and Boy Morning Show with the theme song, “Wake Up” which Nik wrote and performed. This song, combined with the popularity of “Epitome of Me,” helped the band to sell over 30,000 albums locally. Nik has had his music placed in MTV’s Real World and he was recently signed for a multi-album with Nashville producer Richard Williams. Nik’s grandparents played a huge role in raising him, and they always had the music of Frank Sinatra blaring through the house. These sentimental musical moments fostered Nik’s deep love and appreciation for jazz and American standards.

The Helios Jazz Orchestra, directed by David Manson, is in its 6th season having performed in events that include Pavilion XXVIII, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Ybor Jazz Fest and others.  The ensemble will back legendary vocalist Kevin Mahogany on the 2015 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival on February 28.  General admission is $15.  Reserved seating is $25.  See http://www.mypalladium.org/sinatra-sands-redux-nik-sharp-helios-jazz-orchestra/ for tickets.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Helios & Whitney James - September 30

Singer Whitney James joins the Helios Jazz Orchestra in a special concert at the Palladium Side Door venue on Tuesday, September 30 at 7:30 PM.

Whitney James' 2010 debut CD "The Nature of Love" spent 16 weeks on the National Jazz Charts and received critical acclaim from US and International Jazz Press. In 2012, Whitney was chosen as one of the top twelve Rising Stars in the world of jazz and was featured on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz Rising Stars on NPR. 

Hear Whitney with the 18-piece Helios Jazz Orchestra at the award-winning Side Door venue. With dancing, catered treats, cabaret seating and a cash bar; it doesn’t get better than this!  

This is a benefit for the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival presented by EMIT: www.emitseries.org .  Admission is $15 at the Palladium Theater.  Seehttp://www.mypalladium.org/

Friday, May 9, 2014

Helios & Lorri Hafer at the Side Door on June 17!


Helios Jazz Orchestra with Lorri Hafer

The 18-piece Helios Jazz Orchestra, directed by David Manson, backs Lorri Hafer is a special concert of swinging big band music at the Side Door!

Lorri Hafer is the daughter of composer /arranger /Academy Award nominee Al Ham and his wife, Mary Mayo.  They met while they were both performing with the post war Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Tex Beneke.

Lorri started her career at the age of five on the Guy Mitchell record, "If You Ever Go Away” and as lead vocalist with the Hillside Singers.  Lorri along with her mother recorded the ‘Coca Cola Song’ - "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing in Perfect Harmony."  Lorri toured as vocalist with The Glenn Miller Orchestra throughout the US and Japan and was also featured vocalist with Les Brown’s Band of Renown, and special guest vocalist with Buddy Morrow and The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. 

She has shared the stage with Margaret Whiting, Frankie Laine, The Four Lads, Deana Martin, Maria Muldaur, Eric Darling of The Rooftop Singers, Jim Brady of The Sandpipers, and Denny Doherty and Michele Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas and Trini Lopez. Lorri also appeared as the opening act for comedian Bob Newhart.  Most recently, Lorri made her debut at NYC’s famed Metropolitan Room.  Her CD, "The Very Thought of You" has received both national and international airplay in the US, the UK, Italy, the Caribbean, and New Zealand.

Enjoy great big band jazz in the cabaret environment of the Side Door at the Palladium Theater!  This is a benefit for the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival presented by EMIT: www.emitseries.org .  Admission is $15 at the Palladium Theater.  See http://www.mypalladium.org/

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Helios Swingtet Plays Jazz in the Stacks on April 15

The 7-piece Helios Swingtet with Bryan Hughes perform on the Jazz in the Stacks concert at the West St. Petersburg Community Libray on April 15 at 7:30 !  It's free, so come on out and enjoy the music.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Helios Plays Spy Music - Tuesday, Feb. 18 on the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival!


Tuesday, February 18

License to Thrill - Helios Plays Spy Music from TV & Film!
7:30 PM
St. Petersburg College Music Center
6605 Fifth Ave. North, St. Petersburg

 For the opening concert of the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, the expanded 22-piece Helios Jazz Orchestra performs spy music from TV & film with guest singers Denise Moore, Bryan Hughes, Tomika Waldon & Andrea Moraes Manson. James Bond, Austin Powers, Get Smart, Mission Impossible & more are featured in this concert of great jazzy theme music!  General admission is $10 only at the door.