The Space Coast Jazz Society is celebrating 40 years of bringing live jazz to Brevard County as saxophonist Jeff Rupert kicks off the 2025-2026 concert season on September 14th.
Jeff Rupert has been a featured soloist on dozens of recordings with artists including Sam Rivers Mel Tormé Diane Schuur Benny Carter and Maynard Ferguson. His recording "The Ripple" with legendary saxophonist George Garzone was released in September 2019. He played on Benny Carter's Harlem Renaissance which won a Grammy. He has also performed with Kevin Mahogany Ernestine Anderson Joe Farnsworth Ray Drummond Harry Allen pianist Benny Green Kenny Drew Jr trumpeter Michael Philip Mossman and pianist and singer Judy Carmichael.
Rupert has several releases under his own name including "Lets Sail Away" with Veronica Swift "Imagination" and "R&D" with pianist Richard Drexler. Rupert is the leader of The Jazz Professors a sextet that had top JazzWeek charting hit albums in 2012-2015. "The Jazz Professors: Live at the UCF-Orlando Jazz Festival" peaked at #19 during its seventeen weeks on the JazzWeek charts. His third album "From Memphis to Mobile" was with Kenny Drew Jr.
Rupert joined Sam Rivers' band in 1996 and appeared in four recordings with the group. He has performed in hundreds of concerts with Rivers including performances at Lincoln for Ed Bradley's Jazz from Lincoln Center (broadcast on NPR) the Vision Festival NYC and Columbia University.
He has been a member of the Jaguar International Jazz Series alongside Joe LaBarbera Tom Wharington Larry Koonse and John Fedchock. He also performed with Michael Philip Mossman and John Riley at the Taipei National Concert Hall Taiwan.
Rupert has played at jazz festivals around the world with dates in Europe Scandinavia Japan Taiwan Israel South America Australia and New Zealand.
Rupert also leads The "Flying Horse Big Band" one of the premiere performing ensembles of the UCF Music Department. They have appeared at the Montreux Switzerland and the North Sea Jazz Festivals as well as numerous festival and concert appearances domestically. The band has featured Randy Brecker Bob Berg Michael Mossman James Moody Nick Brignola Harry Allen Steve Turre Rodney Holmes Terry Gibbs Marvin Stamm Mulgrew Miller John Swana Kevin Mahogany Lou Donaldson and Eric Alexander with the band. In 2005 the "Flying Horse Big Band" premiered Sam Rivers’ work for double big band with Rivers’ RIVBEA orchestra. The group has had six recordings on the national jazz charts. Recordings include "Jazz Town" "The Blues is Alright" "Into the Mystic" "Big Man on Campus" "The Bat Swings!" and "Florida Rays". The last two albums climbed to #1 on the national (professional) jazz charts.
GENERAL ADMISSION IS PAID AT THE DOOR. $30 for members of the Jazz Society and Veterans Memorial Center $35 for guests and students are free. Bring your own food and drink. Tables chairs live jazz and a beautiful view of the river are provided.
Also check out other Music events in Merritt Island, Entertainment events in Merritt Island, Concerts in Merritt Island.
