- February 19, 2025
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IF YOU GO
HAPCO JAZZ FEST OCOEE 2025
WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31
WHERE: Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee
DETAILS: Performances by Global Fusion Collective, the Aaron Iannitelli Quartet and the Ocoee High School Jazz Band
TICKETS: Free; VIP tickets available
INFORMATION: hapcopromo.org
VIP TREATMENT
Although general admission to the concert is free, attendees also have the option to purchase VIP tickets for $75. This option includes indoor ballroom seating and access to the HAPCO Wine & Dine, which features a robust Caribbean-inspired menu by Sage’s Kitchen. Chef Sage creates imaginative fusions of flavors with fresh, delicious ingredients. Wines provided by West Orange Creamery will complement the food menu.
To purchase VIP tickets, visit bit.ly/3DRoF6D.
It’s not often you have the chance to see Grammy Award-winning artists perform in West Orange.
And it’s even more rare that you can do so for free.
But that’s exactly what will happen when HAPCO Music Foundation and the city of Ocoee present the HAPCO Jazz Fest Ocoee 2025. The outdoor concert will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee.
The evening will feature the incredible Global Fusion Collective, the Aaron Iannitelli Quartet and a special performance by the Ocoee High School Jazz Band.
General admission is free, but there also is an option to purchase $75 VIP tickets, which includes indoor ballroom seating and access to the HAPCO Wine & Dine.
McMullen said Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson has been instrumental in organizing and presenting Jazz Fest Ocoee in the city’s downtown district.
“It’s allowing us to share the love of jazz — for free — to the community,” he said.
The Global Fusion Collective is led by by the multi-Grammy-, 53-time DownBeat Magazine- and 24-time Global Music-award winning multi-instrumentalist Dr. José Valentino Ruiz and Emmy Award-nominated artist Brandon L. Robertson. The ensemble also features Grammy- and eight-time Global Genius-award winner Derris Lee and Florida jazz pianist Dr. Zachary Bartholomew.
HAPCO founder Joseph McMullen said the group encapsulates perfectly his organization’s mission to embrace, support and encourage the musicians of tomorrow. Ruiz is a professor at the University of Florida, Bartholomew at Florida Memorial University in Miami. Robertson teaches at Florida Gulf Coast University and Lee at UF.
“These are great musicians and also great educators,” McMullen said. “At our core, (HAPCO) is about education. We’re here to share the importance of music with the community and train up the next generation,” he said.
In addition to presenting an inspiring evening of music, McMullen said Jazz Fest Ocoee also is an opportunity for HAPCO to offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life and journey of a professional musician.
“When people see great music, they don’t realize how much it takes to get from learning what notes are to being able to perform. It’s edutainment. We’re bringing great, top-notch performances while telling people the story of how musicians got to where they are.”
Concert-goers should take blankets or chairs; no alcoholic beverages permitted at the outdoor concert. Attendees are welcome to bring a picnic dinner; food from Big Mike’s Catering also will be available for purchase.
Proceeds benefit HAPCO’s education programs, which young people use their musical, culinary and artistic talents to fund their college education or to pursue professional careers.