St. Pete Jazz in the World

Jazz is one of America’s most enduring and influential cultural exports, with local roots going back to the 1920s. As an authentically American art form, it has also had a deep international impact. Join the St. Petersburg World Affairs Council (SPWAC) and the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association (ADTBJA) on December 16, at the Green Light Lounge for an unforgettable evening celebrating jazz's timeless artistry and global influence. This event showcases the exceptional talent of John Lamb and local musicians, and St. Petersburg’s role in the art form.
In St. Petersburg, jazz has woven itself into the city's cultural fabric for more than a century. From the historic Manhattan Casino, which welcomed legendary Black performers such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ray Charles, and James Brown, to the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, founded in the early 2000s, and live entertainment at local clubs, hear the great music stories that are an evolving part of St. Petersburg’s cultural fabric.