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.