We have an eclectic mix of events in this week's Sarasota-area concert picks, going from A to Z — or, more specifically, "Ameri-kinda-grass" to Zamrock.
The latter genre, named for the African country of Zambia from which it originated, will be represented by WITCH (or We Intend to Cause Havoc) at Oscura. Americana and bluegrass will come courtesy of Sarasota's own Passerine, who play the brewery Flamingo Bay Brewing Company that's now home to Cottonmouth.
We also have two noteworthy jazz concerts in Sarasota, one featuring a musician whose new album is set for release the same week, the other celebrating what would've been jazz great John Coltrane's 100th birthday. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change.
Sign up to receive restaurant news and reviews plus info on things to do every Friday
Fernando Ferrarone Quartet
Returning to Fogartyville this weekend will be Miami-based jazz trumpeter and alto saxophonist Fernando Ferrarone with his quartet. Ferrarone will visit the venue the day after his new album "Beautifully Different" is set for release, the follow-up to his 2025 EP "Now till Forever," which concludes with the track "North Miami" named after his home city.
His accolades include winning a Student Music Award in 2013 and 2014 from DownBeat, the Chicago music magazine covering "jazz, blues and beyond." 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show Friday; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $30, $25 members, $15 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org
Passerine
Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, which recently moved from Bradenton's Village of the Arts neighborhood to nearby brewery Flamingo Bay Brewing Company, will host Passerine at its new home. Passerine describes its sound as "Ameri-kinda-grass," spanning traditional folk and bluegrass to contemporary Americana.
The Sarasota group plays closer to home after a 2026 that has seen them visit Scotland and North Carolina. 6:30 p.m. Saturday; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen at Flamingo Bay Brewing Company, 1910 14th St. W., Bradenton; facebook.com/cottonmouthsoul
Jeremy Carter Quartet: Coltrane at 100
Jazz Club of Sarasota's Monday Night Jazz Cabaret series, held in Florida Studio Theatre's John C. Court Cabaret, will continue with Jeremy Carter Quartet. The Tampa Bay saxophonist, who's previously performed at the Sarasota Jazz Festival organized by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, will celebrate Coltrane at 100 at this show.
Legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane would’ve celebrated his 100th birthday on Sept. 23 had he not died in 1967 at only 40 years old. 6:30 p.m. doors, dinner/drinks, 7:30 p.m. show Monday; John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota; sold out as of press time; 941-260-9951; jazzclubofsarasota.org
WITCH
In another impressive booking for the Bradenton venue, Oscura will welcome WITCH (or We Intend to Cause Havoc) Wednesday. Hailing from the African country of Zambia, WITCH was part of the 1970s Zamrock scene that blended then-contemporary psychedelic and hard rock with traditional African music.
The group experienced a second life decades later when they reformed in the 2010s, still fronted by founding member Emmanuel "Jagari" Chanda, and in 2023 released "Zango," their first album in nearly 40 years, earning a 7.7 score from Pitchfork. WITCH, who released another album "Sogolo" last year, will be joined by The Venus and Deadborns. 7 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show Wednesday; Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton; $25 advance, $30 day of; oscura.live
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top Sarasota area concerts this week include Zamrock pioneers
