James Lloyd and Curtis Harmon have been the nucleus of Pieces Of A Dream since its inception and played together as kids and members of the Ada Lewis Middle School jazz ensemble along with former member, bassist Cedric Napoleon, blending their jazz roots with R&B, soul and funk. The band established its place in the world of smooth jazz with the CDs: Pieces Of A Dream(1981), We Are One (1982) and Imagine This (1983). Those albums include some of their biggest early hits, including “Warm Weather,” “Mount Airy Groove” and “Fo Fi Fo.” With the release of All In and the band’s 40th Anniversary, the sky is the limit for Pieces Of A Dream. James Lloydconcludes, “All In is our best effort yet. Here’s looking forward to our 50th Anniversary!”
With multiple Billboard-charting singles, including a BIllboard #1 smash hit with “Style and Elegance”, and four highly acclaimed albums, New York guitarist JJ Sansaverino has reached millions touring the world with his “Benson meets Santana” musical style. An extraordinary performer, JJ has a "take no prisoners" performance attitude, gracing the stage night after night touring 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 the likes of Maceo Parker, Victor Bailey, Gerald Albright, Randy Brecker, Shaggy, Ricky Lawson, Sean Paul, Rick Braun, the Marley Family, and even performed for Sir Paul McCartney's wedding in 2002.
Kyle 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, Kyle has been a compelling force in contemporary jazz since his start in 2013. Kyle has had the opportunity to be featured/perform 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, Allon Sams and more! Kyle has also had the opportunity to play large-scale music festivals, including Clearwater Jazz Holiday (3x), Sunset Music Festival, Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Miami Smooth Jazz Festival, and the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival.
Bryan Thompson (know as B. Thompson) is a 24-year-old Pop / R&B Instrumentalist from Indianapolis, Indiana. The youngest of 3 at age 9, Bryan became a child prodigy, mastering multiple instruments despite hearing loss in his right ear. In 2019 he released his debut single “Irresistible”followed by his highly anticipated EP “Isolated Sessions” in 2020. He has also shared the stage with legendary musicians and singers such as Najee, Kirk Whalum, Kenny Lattimore, Faith Evans, Toni Braxton, and very recently H.E.R. Opening act for Lalah Hathaway, Kem, Teddy Riley, Tank, Dru Hill, Frankie Beverly, New Edition and currently he has recorded with John P Kee, Kim Burrell, T.I & Rick Ross, Shanice & Michelé.
Our Music Director, Tim George was raised in Manhattan, KS 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 : Ray Charles, Bobby Caldwell, Chuck Loeb, Jeff Lorber, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Kim Waters, Mindi Abair, Nick Colionne, Euge Groove, Paul Taylor & Peter White.
The Uptown Music Festival is a community focused event for the Uptown area in Tampa, FL. Our 3rd annual festival continues to encourage visitation to the University Area and to be a conduit for co-branding the University Area and the Uptown District.
The Uptown Music Festival was created to bring the Uptown District of Tampa, FL together to highlight the rich culture of the area through music. This one-day event will draw Tampa residents and surrounding cities to the Uptown District for a day of music and art. With over 20,000 residents living in unincorporated Hillsborough County, and major institutions such as the University of South Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center, Advent Health, and Uptown Mall (University Mall) the festival is quickly becoming one of the premier cultural events in the area.
This outdoor event, held in the beautiful University Area Park 14013 N. 22nd Street, Tampa, FL 33613 will be a fun and relaxing evening for the whole family to enjoy. Reserved seating and General Admission available.
Children 12 and under admitted free in General Admission with a paid adult admission. General Admission is lawn seating, so bring your outdoor chairs and blankets to enjoy a great music and art celebration.
The Uptown Music Festival has several ways for your business to become involved in our mission. Please download our information packet to choose your level of sponsorship.
DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP PACKET
The Uptown Music Festival will have a limited number of vendor opportunities available. It is our intent to provide our audience with a variety of quality merchandise vendors to be a part of the Uptown Music Festival.
MORE INFO
As part of the Uptown Music Festival it is our desire to create a space where artist will have the opportunity to display and sell original art during the festival. If interested, contact: Junior Polo, Vero Polo, LLC at veropolo@veropolo.com
If you would like to volunteer with us at out festival, we would love to have you! Volunteers must be approved by us prior to the festival so please click on the link below for more info and to fill out our Volunteer form.
Click Here to Volunteer!
RESERVED SEATS | In Advance: $60 - Day of Show: $70 | Reserved Seating Area
GA TICKETS | In Advance: $25 - Day of Show: $30 | Open Lawn Seating (Lawn Chairs & Blankets Allowed)
- Private entry to reserved seating area experience
- Reserved Seating area is close to the stage.
-Chairs will be provided.
-Seating is open, first come, first served within the Reserved Seating area
To buy tickets in advance, CLICK HERE
- Lawn/beach chairs (we strongly encourage general admission to bring your own lawn/beach chairs, as the event will be on the University Park lawn )
- Blankets
- Ponchos
- Bug spray
- Phones for capturing memories (our social media hashtag is #UptownMusicFestival)
- Friends and family
- I.D. tags for small children
- Any outside food or beverages
- Pepper spray/tasers
- Weapons of any kind
- Solicitation or vending that is unauthorized
- All pets except for registered service animals
- Umbrellas
- Firearms, unless otherwise permitted by Florida Statute, Chapter 790 (2011)
- Glass containers or bottles
- Children 12 and under do not require a ticket.
- For children 13+, a ticket is required.
- We also have a KIDS ZONE
This family-friendly space on the lawn is the picture-perfect place to lay out a blanket and let the kids run and play. Kids Zone will also feature Prodigy Moves, arts and crafts, and live performance activities. Children 12 and under admitted free in General Admission with a paid adult admission.
For more information on becoming a vendor please contact us via email: vendorsubmissions@uptownmusicfestival.com.
Artist and Merchandise Vendors: CLICK HERE to apply
For more information on becoming a sponsor CLICK HERE or contact us at: info@uptownmusicfestival.com
All sales are final unless the show is cancelled. At that point, refunds will be issued.
CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer
CLICK HERE to see the parking layout
For media credentials and photography passes, please contact Hampton Allen at: mail@encoreuniverse.com. Please reference Uptown Music Festival.
