"Jazz in the Park": Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S.
Tamiami Trail. Traditional jazz, Dixieland jazz, soul-infused jazz and big-band jazz will all be part of this afternoon event. "Jazz Lectures": 10 to 11:30 a.
m. Monday-Tuesday, Burns Court Cinemas, 501 Burns Lane. On Monday, pianist Michael Royal talks about "How to Understand and Appreciate Jazz.
" On Tuesday, drummer Henry Ettman shares his recollections of the Count Basie Band. "Jazz on the Bayfront": 3 to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Bayfront, 777 N. Tamiami Trail. Katt Hefner, known for her three-octave range, brings her meld of jazz and pop to an outdoor performance.
Bring blankets and chairs, but no coolers. "Jazz Caravan By Trolley": 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Van Wezel parking lot. Travel by trolley to enjoy jazz in several Sarasota nightclubs. $15 advance; $20 at door.
366-1552. Chris Botti: 8 p.m.
Thursday, Van Wezel. Trumpeter Botti transcends boundaries. Although a jazz musician, he has collaborated with hard rockers, folk rockers and classical groups.
His latest CD is currently in the Top 6 of Billboard's jazz albums chart. Eartha Kitt and Lillette Jenkins-Wisner: 8 p.m.
March 16, Van Wezel. Twice nominated for Tony Awards, Eartha Kitt is best remembered as Catwoman, Batman's nemesis. Lillette Jenkins-Wisner is a local pianist who's performed in several off-Broadway hits and is a former cast member of "All My Children.
" The Four Freshmen: 2 p.m. March 17, Van Wezel.
Nominated six times for a Grammy Award, this vocal group has been around in one fashion or another for 58 years, but contains no original members. Dick Hyman and Friends: 8 p.m.
March 17, Van Wezel. Hyman has more than 100 albums to his credit, and was the musical composer and arranger for the movie "Moonstruck," as well as 11 Woody Allen movies. He is a mainstay of the Sarasota Jazz Festival; this year, he will perform selections by Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller and Duke Ellington.
John Pizzarelli and The Swing Seven: 2 p.m. March 18, Van Wezel.
The son of famed rhythm guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli has 40 albums of his own to his credit and has topped jazz charts both contemporary and traditional. Count Basie Orchestra: 7 p.m.
March 18, Van Wezel. Although Basie died in 1984, his band lives on. The group is committed to "upholding and advancing the American institution that is jazz.
" But the "hip" company Botti keeps does not overshadow his jazz roots. That's why even traditional jazz artists such as Dick Hyman think he's a perfect choice to headline the 27th annual Sarasota Jazz Festival, which has prided itself in recent years on "bridge-building" between young and aging fans. "I think he is something else," said Hyman, one of the few featured musicians at the festival who have been around since its inception.
"I'm excited to see him." The Jazz Club of Sarasota began an earnest effort about three years ago to attract a younger audience to its distinguished ranks as one of the nation's longest-running jazz clubs, said president Gorden Garrett. The new recruitment effort was inspired largely by the 2005 festival appearance of Kenny G, whose mellow mood music helped define smooth jazz in the 1980s.
"We saw record numbers coming out," Garrett said. "So we're going to try and build that bridge for younger people to come out to these concerts. We're trying to have jazz that appeals to all groups.
" While Botti is joined by a handful of contemporary musicians, the bulk of festival performers are still more in the traditional jazz vein.
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