Ira Sullivan

The Glenridge Performing Arts Center (7333 Scotland Way,
Sarasota) is proud to present, Ira Sullivan, co-produced by South County Jazz Club and GPAC -
Saturday, February 9th at 8:00 p.m.

Ira Sullivan, a fearsome bebop soloist, is admired and respected by audiences and
fellow musicians alike. He’s a virtuoso player on several instruments and a noted
educator as well. He was taught trumpet by his father, saxophone by his mother,
and in his native Chicago played with Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Wardell
Gray and Roy Eldridge.

After playing briefly with Art Blakey, and mastering alto and baritone saxophone,
Sullivan moved south to Florida and out of the spotlight in the early 60s. Contact with local
younger players, notably Jaco Pastorius and Pat Metheny led to teaching and to a broadening of
his own musical roots to include the lessons of John Coltrane's music. After adding flute and
soprano saxophone to his instrumentation, he moved to New York for a time, and formed a
quintet with legendary bop trumpeter Red Rodney. Sullivan and Rodney worked on new
material and fostered young talent to produce some fresh and stimulating music.

Bassist Don Mopsick is a 20-year veteran of the Jim Cullum, Riverwalk Jazz Band. Woodwind
specialist Marc Berner is known for his unusual instruments. His contrabass flute was a big hit at
Ira’s sell-out GPAC concert last season. JazzTimes magazine wrote “Meet Tampa, Florida native
Patricia Dean, who stands as that rare, rare talent who plays drums sublimely, and sings like the
reincarnation of a cool version of Dinah Washington.” Michael Royal’s intellectual approach to
piano has made him one of the most interesting and popular musicians in the region. A SELL-
OUT CONCERT LAST YEAR!

Ira Sullivan – at the Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way, Saturday, February
9 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for just $20.00 at gpactix.com or by calling the GPAC box
office at 552-5325. Groups of 10 or more receive a reduced rate of $17.50. GPAC Family and
students get a discounted rate of $15.00.

Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota, 552-5325 or www.gpactix.com
Get social with GPAC at www.facebook.com/glenridgePAC