Uptown Music Festival To Feature Music, Art, Food

TAMPA, FL — Sponsors are needed for the third annual Uptown Music Festival, to be held Saturday, May 6 from 4 to 10 p.m. at the University Area Community Park.

This year’s lineup includes:

• Pieces of a Dream: Keyboardist James Lloyd and drummer Curtis Harmon have been making top-charting contemporary jazz and R&B music together for over 47 years. First discovered by Grover Washington Jr. when they were in high school. Lloyd and Harmon have been the nucleus of Pieces of a Dream since its inception. Lloyd and Harmon played together as kids and members of the Ada Lewis Middle School jazz ensemble, along with former member, bassist Cedric Napoleon. The trio, along with others, blend their jazz roots with R&B, soul and funk. The band established its place in the world of contemporary jazz with the CDs "Pieces of a Dream," "We Are One" and "Imagine This." Those albums include some of their biggest early hits, including "Warm Weather," "Mount Airy Groove" and "Fo Fi Fo." Their innovation and eclecticism keeps Pieces of a Dream fresh and authentic in a jazz world that is ever-changing.
• JJ Sansaverino: With multiple Billboard-charting singles, including a Billboard No. 1 smash hit with "Style and Elegance," and four highly acclaimed albums, New York guitarist Sansaverino has reached millions touring the world with his “Benson meets Santana” musical style. An extraordinary performer, Sansaverino has a take-no-prisoners performance attitude, gracing stages on his own or with reggae legend Maxi Priest, and bringing his vibe of smooth jazz, R&B, and reggae. A Berklee School of Music graduate and award winner, he has shared the stage with Maceo Parker, Victor Bailey, Gerald Albright, Randy Brecker, Shaggy, Ricky Lawson, Sean Paul, Rick Braun and the Marley Family. A highlight was performing at Sir Paul McCartney's wedding in 2002.
• Kyle Schroeder: Schroeder is a 25-year-old saxophonist based in the Tampa Bay area. With a bachelor of music in jazz saxophone/music business from the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, he has been a compelling force in contemporary jazz since his start in 2013. Schroeder has performed with world-class musicians, including Ben Tankard, Four80East, Nick Colionne, Eric Darius, BK Jackson, Two Friends, The Ries Brothers, Dave Liebman, John Daversa, Adam Hawley, Carl Fischer, Nathan Mitchell and Allon Sams. He has also had the opportunity to play large-scale music festivals, including the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, the Sunset Music Festival, the Seabreeze Jazz Festival, the Miami Smooth Jazz Festival and the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival.
• B. Thompson: Bryan Thompson (known as B. Thompson) is a 25-year-old pop / RNB instrumentalist from Indianapolis, Indiana. At age 9, Thompson was a child prodigy, mastering multiple instruments despite hearing loss in his right ear, and became an internet sensation, garnering social media views totaling over 100 million views. Thompson released his debut single “Irresistible” in 2019, followed by his highly anticipated EP “Isolated Sessions” in 2020. He recently released his long-awaited debut CD “P.O.V.” Thompson has recorded with John P Kee, Kim Burrell, T.I & Rick Ross, Shanice & Michelé. Most notably, Thompson joined Babyface’s 2023 touring band.
• Tim George: Music director Tim George was raised in Manhattan, Kansas, where he began playing age 6 and was always drawn to the sound of the bass. Some of the artists that he has performed with include Ray Charles, Bobby Caldwell, Chuck Loeb, Jeff Lorber, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Kim Waters, Mindi Abair, Nick Colionne, Euge Groove, Paul Taylor and Peter White.

In addition to an evening of top-rated music, the festival will provide an opportunity for local artists to display and sell their artwork.

Another highlight will be the family-friendly Kid Zone featuring the University Area CDC’s Prodigy® Moves, arts and crafts and other activities. Food and beverage vendors, food trucks and additional merchandise vendors will also be on site.

The family-friendly Uptown Music Festival, presented by the Uptown Entertainment Group LLC, was created to highlight the rich culture of the area through music, and to raise money for the important programs of the nonprofit University Area CDC.

Limited VIP table seating and reserved open seating will be available, along with general admission lawn seating. Audience members purchasing general admission lawn seating tickets are encouraged to bring outdoor chairs and blankets. Children 12 and under admitted free in general admission with a paid adult admission.

Tickets may be purchased online here.

For more information about the festival, sponsorship opportunities, volunteer opportunities and vendor submissions, click here or call 813-842-1365.