We believe building a stronger community requires supporting and participating in the arts. Destin Smooth Jazz creates new Jazz collaborations and experiences with established and emerging stars for our community’s musical enjoyment and cultural enrichment.   Juneteenth Jazz with Gino Rosaria is just one way to celebrate this historic occasion through music.  This day is rightly seen as a joyous celebration of freedom and a call for education, action, and reflection. Juneteenth celebrates the day African Americans in Texas learned of their freedom,  two years after the signing o ..read more

Since late March I’ve been working from home assisting patients with navigating our health care system, assisting clinic staff, and answering phone calls.  For the first 10 days, I worked predominately out of my bed.  At 7 am I opened my work laptop and put my personal laptop away and then pulled out my phone rosters.  When I got hungry I got up and made a sandwich and got back in bed and did the required work of replying to emails and answering calls.  After a week and a half, I finally decided I need to do better, and started sitting at the kitchen isl ..read more

Tropical Storm Claudette required that we cancel our Juneteenth Jazz event, but Gino Rosaria will take the stage on July 30th at 8 pm.  Doors open at 6 pm for you to purchase dinner and cocktails and the show begins at 8 pm.  If you have not visited A Touch of Class, you are in for a treat with a great location, cocktails, and a new chef to handle your needs.  Our musical director, Chris Snowden was delighted upon his initial visit to the facility and discovered the fantastic acoustics.  Gino will undoubtedly bring a great show.   Grab your tickets today. Jazzy Ray &am ..read more

My favorite jazz tune growing up in Sumter, SC was organist Jimmy Smith’s High Heel Sneakers, which also tied with his Got My Mojo Working.  I was turned on to Jimmy Smith after my father returned from his second trip to Viet Nam with a seven-inch reel-to-reel player.  Jimmy Smith was one of the recorded reels he brought home, and I was initially intrigued by the cover of the reel.   To go with the reel to reel was my parent’s German-made stereo that was dead, but I found the speakers were full of life, and so did the neighbors. I can recall coming home from high school and ..read more

Nathan Mitchell was prepared to perform in May 2020 as part of our 1st Anniversary Event. When we contacted Nathan about performing this year, he was elated because of the positive vibes and love he receives on the Gulf Coast. Nathan brings a high-energy performance that will give you memories to cherish for years to come.  He developed a huge following with his mesmerizing solo performances, and collaborations with Pieces of a Dream, Najee, Jazmin Ghent, Marion Meadows, and Gerald Albright.  Now, you have the opportunity to see him backed by another great band, in an intimate setti ..read more

It’s been a long minute since I’ve sat down to provide a little insight into the Destin Smooth Jazz journey.  I momentarily lost sight of the real reason for doing what we do.  We’re here to let as many people as possible know about the great stars and rising stars of smooth jazz.  I confess I have a special place for the rising stars of Smooth Jazz, especially our local jazz heroes. Today, I must highlight a musician who has really assisted with the birth and survival of DSJ.  Keyboardist, composer, musical instructor, father, friend, and a gentle giant in Smooth Jazz, Mr ..read more

I was first introduced to the quartet, The Yellow Jackets while stationed in northern Japan in the late ’80s.  One of my great friends, who has since transitioned, Elwood K. Tutt, turned me onto them, along with other great things in life.  Today, 4 Sept 21, I had the pleasure of hearing the founding member play live, and man, I was really impressed.  Playing with the extremely talented Jeff Lorber was Jimmy Haslip, a bassist that took me back to what contemporary jazz once was, a twist on traditional jazz. Haslip played a mean bass line today and garnered several solos for the ..read more

We’ve wanted to get each of these saxophonists on the stage for the past two years.   Each is a star in their own right, so we thought what a better way to celebrate Jazzy Ray’s birthday than with two of the hottest sax players on the Gulf Coast – Chris Godber and Jordan Chalden.  They will bring the heat on Sept 17th at A Touch of Class and turn Ray’s 60th birthday into a night to remember.   Witness this show as they do their own sets and team up for a few tunes, as well as, and play their rendition of Destin Smooth Jazz’s recently designated signature tune,  Me ..read more

Nearly three years ago, I embarked on a mission for the love of music, specifically Smooth Jazz.  I looked around and realized I needed to travel hours or wait months to see a live show.   Hopefully, in 2021, you and I can make a difference in sustained live Jazz entertainment in the Ft Walton Beach area.  Why do I continue to do what I do?  Some may think it’s all about the music. Music, it’s the backbone of our lives and culture.  If we reflect on how gospel music strengthened the resolve of slaves and gave them hope for the future.   How nursery rhymes bro ..read more

Three years ago, Destin Smooth Jazz realized that our local area had little to no live Smooth Jazz from April to September; we were in a Smooth Jazz desert. DSJ embarked on a journey in 2018 and launched our promotion company and held the first show on Memorial Day weekend 2019. Those of you who were lucky enough to attend received a great treat with such a dynamic show featuring Calvin Jasper, Chris Godber, Dominique Hammons and a band of musicians that left the crowd in awe. We were positioned to do another great show for our first anniversary, last May, and then everything came to a screech ..read more