NAPLES, FL (May 2012) – A Southwest Florida tradition continues, as The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club will again host its popular “SummerJazz on the Gulf” concert series. This will mark the 27th consecutive year of the fun, free concert series, combining a diverse selection of Jazz entertainers with gorgeous views of the Gulf, exquisite sunsets, refreshing breezes, and a relaxing atmosphere. Each concert is held on the resort’s scenic Watkins Lawn overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. “SummerJazz on the Gulf” will take place one Saturday evening per month June-September, and each concert will be from 7 - 10 p.m. This year’s concerts will be on Saturday, June 16; Saturday, July 21; Saturday, August 25; and Saturday, September 22, 2012.

According to Jim Anderson, food & beverage director for The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club and organizer of the annual concert series, the 2012 “SummerJazz on the Gulf” line-up is:

·         Legendary J.C.’s  – Saturday, June 16, 2012

·         Late Night Brass – Saturday, July 21, 2012

·         New Groove City featuring Gumbi Ortiz – Saturday, August 25, 2012

·         Eight To The Bar – Saturday, September 22, 2012.

“This year we’re featuring two groups who have played SummerJazz previously, Late Night Brass and Gumbi Ortiz, now known as New Groove City featuring Gumbi Ortiz – plus two new groups that we think will put on great shows,” said Anderson. “It promises to be an excellent concert series.”

Those interested in staying at the resort during “SummerJazz on the Gulf” weekends can contact the resort’s reservations department for best available rates and packages by calling (800) 237-7600 or (239) 261-2222, or online atwww.NaplesBeachHotel.com .

For those not staying at the resort there will be parking just north of the hotel at Lowdermilk Park, with free parking provided to those with a Naples beach sticker, and free trolley service to the resort and back. Guests may bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating, however coolers are not permitted. Call (239) 261-2222 for further information and directions.

The Legendary J.C.’s will kick-off this year’s “SummerJazz on the Gulf” concert series on Saturday, June 16, 2012. Performing for the first time at SummerJazz, the 8-piece band – commonly called “The J.C.’s” – is known for getting the audience on its feet from the first song to the last. Performing a very appealing mixture of soul, old school R&B, funk, Motown classics, and original tunes, the band features talented and energetic lead singer Eugene Snowden, and impressive horn and rhythm sections. The band has headlined at NOLA Jazz Fest, Florida Music Festival, the Springing in Blues festival, and at the Monte Carlo Casino in Las Vegas. Additionally, the band has performed with such greats as James Brown, B.B. King, and Al Green, and has played for dignitaries at the G8 Summit and the Canadian Parliament. For band information, visit www.sonicbids.com/thelegendaryjcs . The concert is being sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. 

The very popular and versatile 10-piece Late Night Brass will headline the SummerJazz concert on Saturday, July 21, 2012. Returning to SummerJazz for the fourth consecutive year, this high-energy band features a powerful four-piece horn section, a skilled four-piece rhythm section (keyboard, guitar, bass and drums), a dynamic male vocalist, and a very talented female vocalist. They will perform a range of songs from such popular horn bands as Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, Blood Sweat & Tears, and The Doobie Brothers. The band has opened up for Chicago, Chris Botti, Huey Lewis & The News, Billy Joel & Elton John, Michael Bublé, Earth Wind & Fire, and Sting & The Police. For more information on the band, visitwww.latenightbrass.us . The concert is being sponsored by Insurance and Risk Management Services, Inc., and Florida Community Bank.

New Groove City featuring Gumbi Ortiz will perform on Saturday, August 25, 2012. Performing an eclectic blend of jazz/fusion, funk, samba, and retro-soul, the 5-piece band is under the leadership of charismatic Gumbi Ortiz, who has been an integral part of superstar fusion guitarist Al Di Meola’s band for 20 years. Formerly called The Latino Projekt, the band became New Groove City in 2011 to better reflect the more soulful direction the band has taken. The band has released two successful albums, and has toured throughout the Southeast. For more information on the band, visit www.newgroovecity.com . The concert is being sponsored by Naples Transportation, Tours and Event Planning. 

This season’s final SummerJazz concert on Saturday, September 22, 2012, will feature Eight To The Bar. The impressive, 6-piece band performs swing, Motown, classic R&B, standards, and funk. Known for its outstanding instrumentalists and sophisticated musical and vocal arrangements, highlighted by female vocals, Eight To The Bar was named “Best Live Band 2010” by Hartford Magazine. The band has produced 11 CDs and has performed coast-to-coast in the U.S., as well as in England, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Austria, and Switzerland. Additionally, the band has opened for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Manhattan Transfer, Robert Cray, Neil Young, Roy Orbison, and Ray Charles. For more information on the band, visitwww.eighttothebar.com .  The concert is being sponsored by BSSW Architects, Inc., and D. Garrett Construction, Inc.

Guests attending “SummerJazz on the Gulf” should consider dining at the resort’s H.B.’s on the Gulf, the city of Naples’ only beachfront restaurant, which serves fresh Florida seafood and traditional American favorites. Patrons also can enjoy a specialty drink at the newly renovated and expanded Sunset Beach Bar & Grill, named Naples’ “Best Beach Bar” by the Travel Channel. All concerts feature full bar service in several locations and a food concession with a selection of snack items and freshly grilled burgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken sandwiches.

The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, owned and operated by the Watkins family for more than 65 years, is Naples’ only beachfront resort offering on-site championship golf, a world-class spa, and an award-winning tennis center.

Continually enhancing its already-impressive offerings, the 317-room resort completed a $22 million renovation in 2010. The multi-phase project included the renovation of guest rooms and suites, and the addition of a $5 million all-new beachfront pool complex. On-site amenities include a fitness center, the professionally-supervised Beach Kids Club child activity program, an Orchid House, multiple restaurants and bars, 34,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space, and many beautiful outdoor venues. The resort is located at 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. North in Naples. Contact the resort at (800) 237-7600 or (239) 261-2222, and visit www.NaplesBeachHotel.com .