Charles L. "China" Valles  

SJO Founder and President Emeritus

Nov. 5, 1925 - Dec. 17, 2014

Gone but never forgotten.

WE LOVE YOU MADLY! 

The Valles Family

The Sunshine Jazz Organization keeps China's JAZZ passion alive and well with YOUR support..

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CLICK FOR MEMBERSHIP FORM  

OR PRINT & MAIL WITH YOUR LEVEL OF SUPPORT 

Enjoy SJO's ongoing concerts, events and promotions 

as we proudly present our 36th Season of Jazz!

The Sunshine Jazz Messenger Newsletters      

IN PUBLICATION SINCE 1987 

Download on page 4

SUNSHINE JAZZ ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMMING IS ADA COMPLIANT. 

  **It is the policy of Miami-Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. To request materials in accessible format, sign language interpreters, and/or any accommodation to participate in Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs sponsored programs or meetings,contact [email protected], at least five days in advance to initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).**  

Check out South Florida Jazz happenings 

@ http://www.southfloridajazzlist.com

SJO IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THESE EXCELLENT JAZZ PRESENTATIONS!

Sunshine Jazz Organization programming is presented with support of Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and Cultural Affairs Council, Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. SJO Events are ADA Compliant 

International Jazz Month is April and Int'l. Jazz Day is April 30th. In honor of this UNESCO-sponsored extravaganza and with the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, the Sunshine Jazz Organization will once again participate with a very special concert presentation. Join us with our Jazz Ambassador on Friday, April 7th for "Ginetta's Vendetta". From New York City, Ginetta is a "Triple threat Female powerhouse" who plays pocket trumpet, sings and composes while leading her acclaimed Jazz combo featuring Gianni Bianchinni (piano), Paul Shewchuck (bass) and Raul Valdez (drums). Ginetta's most recent 2022 Ambassador tour was through the central Asian country of Uzbekistan. A massive success, her band headlined the opening night of The International Jazz Day Celebration at The 6th Annual International Jazz Festival of Uzbekistan. They toured the country giving workshops, visiting disabled youth centers, doing radio & TV spots. Ginetta entertains & teaches audiences around the globe about Jazz and inspiring young musicians from Moscow to Jakarta, Paris, Beirut, Jamaica, California, Canada, Mexico, Miami & all points in between. She continues her musical ministry as a Jazz Ambassador, calling Jazz "America's Greatest Export" !

Tal Cohen returns on Mar 3rd

Palm Beach Int'l Jazz Fest April 8th!

The 36th Season of SJO's monthly SUNSHINE JAZZ CONCERT SERIES is presented on Fridays at The Sandrell Rivers Black Box Theater, a new state-of-the-art theater serving Miami-Dade County & South Florida. The SRT is named in honor of Chief Sandrell Rivers, a dedicated, tireless arts advocate, artist, mentor and great friend and integral part of the SJO family. Sandrell Rivers Theater is a Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs facility.

https://www.sandrellriverstheater.com/box-office 

ADMISSION $25 Online at the Theater or in person at the Box Office

6103 NW 7th Avenue, Liberty City, Miami, FL 33127

305-284-8800

Carole Ann Taylor on Nov 4th!

Chief Sandrell Rivers

The monthly SUNSHINE JAZZ CONCERT SERIES returned on Friday November 5th, 2021 to a new venue, The Sandrell Rivers Theater! The SRT is named in honor of the late Chief Rivers, a dedicated, tireless arts advocate, artist and great friend and integral part of the SJO family.

THANKS TO THE BASS MUSEUM OF ART FOR OUR SJO COLLABORATION! 

 https://thebass.org/visit/  

​Meet this extraordinary artist @ https://www.talcohenmusic.com/

John Yarling w/ "Rest-Unrest" 9/6 @ Lagniappe 3425 NE 2nd Ave Miami || 9/8 The Music of Mulgrew Miller @ The Fish House www.thefishhouse.com

SJO Proudly Supports John Yarling!

"To China With Love"

SJO presents Eddy Balzola & Oriente,  Afro Cuban Soul Jazz

Thank You!

Yvette Norwood-​Tiger

Our Wonderful Monthly Concert Series and Eents postponed by the Covid Pandemic Shutdown March-Sept 2020​ *Top L>R Oriente; Jesse Jones, Jr.; South Florida Jazz Hall of Fame, Founder Alice Day; Melton Mustafa, Jr; Brenda Alford; Danny Burger. Bottom L>R Nikki Kidd; Mia-Dade County Fair w/Leon Foster Thomas; Int'l. Jazz Day w/ Nicole Yarling Quartet featuring Othello Molineaux; Music in The Park w/ Valerie Tyson, Le Vie.

Thank you!

Ms. Alice Day and Sweet Papa Lou Donaldson for

A Wonderland of Jazz at our 2019 Finale! 



A Most Sincere Thanks to Miami-Dade County Commissioner

Barbara J. Jordan ~ for another evening of amazing music!

Free community concerts under the stars!

Thanks to all for joining us for this Very Special Evening! 

Sunshine Jazz Organization Celebrates Our 33rd Season!

The 10th Annual

SOUTH FLORIDA JAZZ HALL OF FAME

Induction Ceremony & Concert

Honoring Sax Legend 

Sweet Papa Lou Donaldson

and 

Founder of 

Blue Note Records Miami

Bob Perry

Founded by Ms. Alice Day

"MOJO IKE & VAL WOODS EXPERIENCE" 6/23/19!


5/26/19 Eddy Balzola & ORIENTE!

jazz blues rhythm & soul

MUSIC IN THE PARK!

Friday May 10, 2019

MARYEL EPPS BAND and YAMIN MUSTAFA BAND

~ FABULOUS 2018 SJO EVENTS ~

Music in The Park ~ Friday Dec 7, 2018

"Jean Caze presents Amédé", and "Miss Gia Wyre"

SJO's Annual Holiday Jazz Celebration

Ms. Alice Day and Very Special Friends!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2018

Sunshine Jazz Organization

Celebrates Our 32nd Season!

Thank you Ms. Alice Day!

The 9th Annual South Florida JAZZ HALL OF FAME!

Induction Ceremony & Concert

JOAN CARTWRIGHT

MO MORGEN

                                                                      MIKE FACTOR         

Joe Donato

PR_JOE DONATO 4-22-18.pdf (PDF — 220 KB)

WOW! What an evening in celebration of SJO's 31st year.

Thank you all for making it so special.

SJO Sponsors JAZZ! Jan 12 & 14...

The 41st Annual ART DECO Weekend!

             http://artdecoweekend.com/

# # #

Friday Dec 1st, 2017 MUSIC IN THE PARK

THANK YOU! Carole Ann Taylor w/ Bobby Thomas, Jr. & Tal Cohen

plus Dr. Edward G. Robinson & The Instant Attraction Band 

# # #

A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO END SJO'S 2017 CONCERT SERIES!

DANA PAUL & THE DREAM TEAM!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17TH, 6PM-9PM

Nov 19th Nicole Yarling Quintet

The show was truly Spectacular!

Jim Gasior-Chuck Bergeron-Jean Caze-John Yarling

# # #

Thanks DANNY BURGER Quartet!

10/22/17

Thank you to

The great Maryel Epps Ensemble!

8/27/17

The 8th Annual South Florida Jazz Hall of Fame

was truly AN AMAZING EVENT! Our sincere gratitude

goes out to SFJHOF Founder, Ms. Alice Day and to

all of the musicians and families. We Thank You! 

SFJHOF 2017 (PDF — 243 KB)

Thanks for a great show !

SJO Co-Sponsored OTHELLO MOLINEAUX 6pm-9pm

Friday Night Sound Waves, Ft. Lauderdale Beach at Las Olas

Our thanks to

The Juanita Dixon Quartet

Jim Gasior, Bebop Bob Grabowski,

and Rodolfo Zuniga

6/26/17

5/5/17 Music in The Park

The Yvonne Brown Quintet

            Ricky Williams & The Gang

Carole Ann Taylor with The Jim Gasior Quartet 4/23/17

The Ja'Nia Harden Project

SJO's Annual Jazz Showcase

4/8/17 Dade-County Fair & Expo

            Richie Cole "Alto Madness"!

With Jorge Garcia, Don Coffman & Danny Burger

3/26/17 Miami Shores CC

The Joey Gilmore Blues Band

2/26/17 Miami Shores CC

BIG THANKS to

The MAGNIFICENT LeNard Rutledge Quintet!

1/22/17 Miami Shores CC

AND

The SJO All Stars 2nd Line Parade

ORIENTE & The SJO All Stars Concert

JECC Bootcamp Jazz Ensemble, Dir. Nicole Yarling

Jan 14/15 40th Annual Art Deco Festival Weekend

SJO's 30th Season of Jazz

Starts Now!

DECEMBER 2016 Celebrated another beautiful year of SJO Jazz!

Music in the Park was an amazing evening of Big Band Soul w/ Rochelle

Lightfoot and progressive Jazz w/ The Bobby Thomas 4tet - Randy Bernsen, 

Bob Grabowski, Fernando Diez. And a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jazz legend Melton Mustafa by Miami-Dade Commissioner Barbara Jordan.                AND Alice Day & Friendspresented SJO's Holiday Celebration with SFJHOF Sax Master Eric Allison!

Nov 27, 2016 Thank you -

Mike Gerber, Ira Sullivan,

Marc Berner, Ethan Neuberg

and Emily Maddox 

Thank You!

To Ms. Rochelle Lightfoot

and your Fabulous Big Band!

October 23rd Miami Shores CC.

The Sunshine Jazz Organization's 30th Anniversary Celebration on Oct. 1st, 2016 was amazing, and fabulous, unbelievably cool and legendary!

THANK YOU MAESTRO MUSICIANS, BOARD MEMBERS, VIPS, SJO MEMBERS, FRIENDS,

SOUND TECHS, MSCC MANAGERS & STAFF! 

The Masters! IGNACIO BERROA (drums), DR. LONNIE SMITH (organ),

SWEET POPPA LOU DONALDSON (sax) and JOHN HART (guitar) WOW!

Some memorable SJO presentations and events include 

- Miami-Dade County Dept. of Cultural Affairs Council elects SJO as Service Organization for all Jazz Artists / Round Midnight Premier, 1986 Inaugural SJO Event / 2nd Anniversary w/ Diane Schuur / AFJS

Convention features Freddy Cole / A-Train to New Orleans / Jazz on Wheels Summer Parks Series / Musicians in Crisis Fundraisers for: Steve Bagby, Mike Gerber, Pete Minger, Mel Dancy / Jazz Jams for Youth Series / 10th Anniversary w/ Stanley Turrentine, Arturo

Sandoval / MOCA Jazz Concerts Co-Sponsor / 15th Anniversary w/ Houston Person / Arts in Parks / Magic City Jazz Series / Miami-Dade County Fair Annual Jazz Showcase, co-sponsored w/ DAC / Joseph Caleb Center Series and Tribute to Bill Withers Concert & Film

Screening / Co-Sponsor Annual South Florida Jazz Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies 2009-2016 / 25th Anniversary w/ Melton Mustafa Orchestra and Allan Harris featuring Alice Day, Brenda Alford and Yvonne Brown / 28th Anniversary Tribute to Nat & Cannonball Adderley featuring Melton Mustafa and Jesse

Jones, Jr. / 29th Anniversary with Dr. Lonnie Smith /

Art Deco Festivals 2013-16 featuring JECC Youth Jazz Ensemble, Director Nicole Yarling / Bi-Annual Music

in the Park, Co-Sponsor w/ Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan & City of Miami Gardens / Miami Shores Sunshine Jazz Concert Series

Thanks to

The BRENDA ALFORD QUINTET! 8/28/16

The All Star band Featured

Jesse Jones, Jr. (Sax), Paul Shewchuk (Bass),

Antulio Mora (Piano), Lenny Steinberg (drums.)

Thank you Ms. Alice Day!

Founder SFJHOF.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JAZZ HALL OF FAME

Past Inductees:

Cannonball Adderley, China Valles, Sandrell Rivers, Melton Mustafa,

Mel Dancy, Eric Allison, Lenny Zief, Alice Day, Ira Sullivan, Billy Marcus, Don Mosely Billy Rolle, Nancy Murphy, Charles Austin, Jesse Jones Jr.,

Dolph Castellano, Ed Bell,Jaco Pastorius, Othello Molineaux,

Bobby Thomas, Jr., Gary Duchaine, Jackie Davis, Alan Grant, Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Myrtle Jones, Jet Nero, Joe Donato,

Sam Jones, Simon Salz, David Nuby, Len Pace, Nestor Torres,

Pete Minger, Jimmy Crawford, Panama Francis.

6/26/16 ORIENTE w/ Jesse Jones Jr.!

Latin Jazz, Blues, Rhythm 'n Soul!

Many thanks to maestro

Othello Molineaux and your

spectacular band - Nicole Yarling!

Abel Pabon! Manny Patino! and

Rey Monroig!

MUSIC in the PARK, May 6, 2016

An unforgettable night of JAZZ! Featuring Alice Day, Melton Mustafa,

Jesse Jones, Jr., Melton Mustafa, Jr., Yamin Mustafa, Jihad Mustafa,

Paul Shewchuk, James Cotman, Brian Murphy. Brother Percussionist, Commissioner Barbara Jordan and Mayor Oliver Gilbert! 

Thank you!

JOE DONATO Brian Murphy,

Kai Sanchez, Michael Piolet!

OLLIVIERS JAZZ CLUB 

 ALICE DAY & FRIENDS!

Thank you for a fantastic concert!

Wendy Pedersen, Jim Gasior,

Jamie Ousley, Evan Hyde!

SJO's Annual Jazz Showcase

at THE FAIR Sat 3/26/16

JECC Bootcamp Jazz Ensemble! 

Thanks to director Nicole Yarling

and her excellent students!

Parks Community Stage in Arnold Hall

10901 Coral Way, Miami 33165

THANKS to Nicole Yarling,

Chuck Bergeron, Tal Cohen and

John Yarling for your wonderful

musicianship!

THANK YOU!

Amazing Grace

IRA

1/24/16

Amazing Music! 

IRA SULLIVAN Quintet 

Friday, December 4th

MUSIC in the PARK!

Holiday Jazz Celebration

Dec
27, 

2015 was a

wonderful gathering of

friends and family!

ALICE DAY & Friends!

SJO's 29th ANNIVERSARY GALA

was an amazing experience for everyone! Dr. Lonnie Smith

was over the top! Accompanied by John Hart on guitar and

John Yarling on drums! WOW! BRAVO! and THANK YOU!

SUNSHINE JAZZ MESSENGER NEWSLETTER

Published since 1987

SEP-OCT 2015

Volume 28, Issue #6

The SUNSHINE JAZZ CONCERT SERIES 8/23/15 

THANK YOU TO

The Brenda Alford Quintet!

BRENDA ALFORD vocals,

PAUL SHEWCHUK bass,

JIM GASIOR piano,

JAMES COTMAN drums,

JON MICHALAK sax

THE 6TH ANNUAL

SOUTH FLORIDA JAZZ

HALL OF FAME!!

Music in the Park was Amazing!

The RODNEY KENDRICK Trio Featuring RHONDA ROSS!

Plus B-n-S Entertainment

THANKS TO ALL!

MANY THANKS!

to our SJO members, sponsors, friends and musicians

for joining us in Celebration of

SJO's 28th Season of Jazz!

The South Florida

Jazz Hall of Fame

5th Annual Induction Ceremony!

SJO's SUMMER ARTS

IN PARKS WORKSHOP

THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO

MR. STEVE GRYB! 6/16/14

Raices Cultural Arts Center 

International JAZZ Appreciation Day

APRIL 30, 2014

SJO CELEBRATES JAZZ EVERY DAY!

Sunshine Jazz Organization's 27th Season of Jazz!

The BILLY MARCUS TRIO and Special Guest MS. SANDY PATTON!

plus Alice Day, Melton Mustafa, Jesse Jones, Jr., Mel Dancy...

Catch up with the latest Jazz news!

SUNSHINE JAZZ MESSENGER

Newsletter...

Published since 1987!

Now Online too!

JUNE EVENTS

SUNDAY JUNE 23rd

4th ANNUAL

SOUTH FLORIDA JAZZ

HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY 

SJO's Silver Anniversary

Celebration on Sept 15th, 2012 was beyond spectacular! 

SJO's Founding Father, Jazz Radio Icon

CHINA VALLES,

with SJO Board of Directors

and Membership Family send our

deepest thanks to everyone who was involved with this event - musicians, dignitaries, staff, volunteers, radio and press, and to our South Florida Jazz community and friends from around the world who attended and/or sent your love.

 The MELTON MUSTAFA ORCHESTRA w/ Special Guest Vocalist ALLAN HARRIS! With very special appearances by Jesse Jones Jr., Alice Day, Brenda Alford, Yvonne Brown, plus Eddy Balzola!

THANK YOU ALICE DAY!

The 3rd Annual SOUTH FLORIDA JAZZ HALL OF FAME

Induction Ceremony 6/10/12

Inductees:

Blue Mitchell ~ Nancy Murphy ~ Melton Mustafa ~ Billy Rolle ~ Bill Peeples

Billy Marcus Quartet: Billy Marcus Piano, Don Mosely, Bass;

Gary Duchaine, Drums; Eric Allison, Sax & Flute

 SUNSHINE JAZZ at THE CALEB 2012!

SJO’s Annual Concert Series

presented at The Joseph Caleb Auditorium, Miami, FL

VALENTINES DAY SWINGIN, ROMANTIC MUSIC

Feb 12th, 2012 The YVONNE BROWN Quartet! 

# # #

Current & Recent Issues Now Online

SUNSHINE JAZZ MESSENGER NEWSLETTER

Published since 1986!

(Scroll for older issues below)

2011-2012 JAZZ @ THE CALEB Concert Series

kicked-off in November with the legendary Ira Sullivan!

Sunday, Nov 13th was a wonderful celebration for the finale

of SJO’s 2011 Jazz @ The Caleb concert series, annual Members Gathering and China Valles' 86th Birthday. 

JAZZ ICONS CHINA VALLES & SULLIVAN CELEBRATE SJO - HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHINA!! Sincere thanks to Ms. Alice Day, Brian Murphy, Jamie Ousley, John Yarling, Dante Luciani, Chloe Dolandis and the many SJO family and friends who attended!

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Sunshine Jazz Messenger Newsletter