St. Augustine’s Romanza Festivale of Music and The Arts and the St. Johns Cultural Council have partnered to present The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra during the 2024 Romanza event. The concert will be held on Sunday, May 12 at 4 PM at Flagler College Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada Street in historic, downtown St. Augustine, FL. The orchestra recently received a prestigious 2024 GRAMMY Award for Best Large Ensemble Jazz Album, Basie Swings the Blues.
The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra is a 16- to 18-piece big band and one of the most prominent jazz groups from the swing era with 18 GRAMMY awards and performances at major jazz festivals and concert halls worldwide. Founded by William James “Count” Basie in 1935, the band continues under the direction of Tallahassee–based trumpeter Scotty Barnhart. Barnhart is a Florida A&M University graduate and Professor of Jazz Trumpet at Florida State University.
The concert will also feature vocalist Carmen Bradford, a recording artist considered one of jazz music’s most diverse and inspiring vocal stylists. In addition to performing with Count Basie himself, Bradford has collaborated with George Benson, Benny Carter, John Mills, and many other noted musicians.
Early ticket pricing, available during March, includes $10 off each purchase with the promo code Romanza. With the discount, ticket prices range from $30 to $70 per person. Regularly priced tickets range from $40 to $80 per person. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit the website at www.RomanzaFestivale.com.
Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts celebrates its 13th year of art, music, dance, theatre, and literature from Friday, May 3 until Sunday, May 19. The Festivale includes events and exhibitions in collaboration with dozens of independent organizations, businesses, and talent.
Entertainment genres include a diverse selection of concerts, stage shows, film, visual arts exhibitions, culinary events, dance, poetry, spoken word, and more.
Romanza and St. Johns Cultural Council events are funded in part by the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council.
