Live Music

Emmy-nominated jazz trumpeter, vocalist and composer Benny Benack III is in Southwest Florida working and performing with musicians in the Florida Gulf Coast University Jazz combo. Benack and the combo perform live in the WGCU studios, and we explore how the university’s jazz studies program continues to grow.

Our annual music review takes a look back at some of the great music featured on Gulf Coast Life Arts Edition in 2024, including a new album from the rock band Rosaline, new solo music from Southwest Florida-based musician Caleb Vilca, Tampa-based blues/roots musician Damon Fowler, and Delta Blues musician Anthony “Big A” Sherrod.

Our annual music review takes a look back at some of the great music featured on Gulf Coast Life Arts Edition in 2024, including a new album from the rock band Rosaline, new solo music from Southwest Florida-based musician Caleb Vilca, Tampa-based blues/roots musician Damon Fowler, and Delta Blues musician Anthony “Big A” Sherrod.

Tampa-based blues, roots rock and sacred steel musician Damon Fowler performs Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Alliance for the Arts’ “Art Is Essential” bash. Ahead of the concert, we’ll talk with Fowler about his musical journey and hear songs from his latest album “Barnyard Smile.”

Delta Blues guitarist, bassist and vocalist Anthony “Big A” Sherrod performed live in studio while in Southwest Florida for a Big A & The All Stars concert at Florida Gulf Coast University earlier this month. We’ll hear music and conversation from Sherrod along with Delta Blues documentarian, organizer and advocate Roger Stolle.

Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and sound engineer Caleb Vilca performs live in studio. Vilca is perhaps best known as frontman of the Southwest Florida-based alt rock band Perfect Sequence, but recently dropped a new solo single titled “HEARTBEAT,” that shows a different side of his musical creativity and influences.

Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and sound engineer Caleb Vilca performs live in studio. Vilca is perhaps best known as frontman of the Southwest Florida-based alt rock band Perfect Sequence, but recently dropped a new solo single titled “HEARTBEAT,” that shows a different side of his musical creativity and influences.

Delta Blues guitarist, bassist and vocalist Anthony “Big A” Sherrod performed live in studio while in Southwest Florida for a Big A & The All Stars concert at Florida Gulf Coast University earlier this month. We’ll hear music and conversation from Sherrod along with Delta Blues documentarian, organizer and advocate Roger Stolle.

Delta Blues guitarist, bassist and vocalist Anthony “Big A” Sherrod performed live in studio while in Southwest Florida for a Big A & The All Stars concert at Florida Gulf Coast University earlier this month. We’ll hear music and conversation from Sherrod along with Delta Blues documentarian, organizer and advocate Roger Stolle.

The Alliance for the Arts hosts the 5th annual Arts on Tap fundraising celebration, Friday, Dec. 1, including live music, craft brewers and food trucks. Alliance Executive Director Molly Rowan-Deckart previews the event and talks about the nonprofit’s latest gallery exhibition, the new digital arts laboratory, the Alliance’s ongoing Art House Cinema series, and the upcoming release of the newest Arts and Economic Prosperity study.