Jazz Fest Returns to AMI for 10th Anniversary

Koko Ray Hansen

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Bring your dancing shoes or just relax overlooking the beautiful Gulf beach. The Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra will present the 10th annual Jazz Fest on Thursday, February 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Sandbar Restaurant Pavilion, 100 Spring Street, Anna Maria.

Jazz Fest will feature the Gulf Drive Band, with Ted Young from Pittsburgh on piano and Bil Bowdish from Boston on flutes, saxes, and vocals. This year the special guest artist is Anna Maria Island favorite, Koko Ray Hansen. Koko is an outstanding instrumentalist and vocalist who is able to fluently play two saxophones at once. Jazz selections will go as far back as the 1920s and span seven decades.

The prorgram is put on by AMICCO, The Gulf Drive Band, the Sandbar Restaurant, and the Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper. After expenses, ticket proceeds from Jazz Fest go directly to AMICCO.

Tickets are $8/person in advance (before noon on February 6) and $10 at the door. Refreshments at additional cost will be provided by the Sandbar Restaurant. Tickets may be purchased online at www.amicco.org, from Etta at 941-896-3899 or at the AMI Chamber of Commerce 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.