Space Coast Live

Event Story: The Space Coast Jazz Society will feature Ron Pirtle, “one of the most sought after bassists in Brevard County” (Florida Today) for a Sunday afternoon of jazz this July. Joining Ron will be Friends Billy Davis on sax, Marce Palos on keyboard, and Brock Wollard on drums. Ron promises a variety of musical styles and has selected this group of friends based on their versatility. So expect to hear Latin, swing, hard bop, blues, jazz rock and some funk at the concert. “I like to blend it so everything is not the same,” Ron says, “and appeal to a wide range of people.” And, he added, “If people want to dance, we would love that.” Space Coast jazz fans may know Ron from a 15-year stint at Heidi’s and from gigs at private clubs and parties and public pubs and festivals up and down the Space Coast. Ron has also played around his boyhood turf of Pennsylvania and Ohio and cut a CD with the Ron Pirtle Quartet, aptly called “Getting the Groove,” Also well-known about town are Brock Wollard who has a degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Florida and has played drums for more than two decades. Earlier in his career Brock was in a rock group that toured around the US, Mexico and Europe before returning to Brevard to teach music and play local gigs. Saxophonist Billy Davis has also worked internationally and toured as part of the opening act for Chicago, Hall and Oats, Eric Clapton and others. Hailing from Iowa and playing with the Cedar Rapids Jazz Band he played with national artists such as Ernie Watts, Eddie Daniels and Bob Mintzner. Marce Palos, keyboardist from the state of Indiana, also trained academically at the Sherwood School of Music, University of Chicago and Northwestern University. Marce has played at hotels, venues and festivals across Florida and in other states. His trio was the resident music group at the prestigious Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach for nine years. So, “get in the groove” with this talented and experienced group of local jazz musicians on July 10th. Enjoy the music, dance a bit, meet old friends and make some new ones --- all while support live jazz on the Space Coast. Space Coast Jazz Society concerts are open to the public and general admission is paid at the door: $10 for members of the Society or the Rockledge Country Club, $15 for non-members and guests, and no charge for students. Food and beverages are available at an additional cost. The Rockledge Country Club is located at 1591 S. Fiske Blvd., Rockledge, FL 32955. For more information, call (321) 960-4897, email Jazz@SpaceCoastJazzSociety.org or go to www.SpaceCoastJazzSociety.org. You can also join this unique and fun organization at the concert or through the website.