Jazz at the Panthereum Series Offers Two Big Acts, One Great Celebration

MELBOURNE, FLA.—WFIT 89.5-FM (a service of Florida Tech), the university and the Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce present Jazz at the Panthereum on Sunday, April 22, from 3 to 6 p.m. The event will celebrate the Smithsonian’s sixth annual national Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) with a performance by local group Jazzalicious. The concert will be held in Florida Tech’s new outdoor Panthereum.
Florida Tech embraces JAM by combining a high-energy jazz program and a dynamic demonstration of live painting by Dutch artist Frits van Eeden.
Zach Anspauch, a tenor saxophonist from Eau Gallie High School, founded Jazzalicious, a group of six Brevard County high school student musicians from Eau Gallie, Melbourne and Palm Bay high schools. Band members include Justin Mosseau on bass, Sidonie Wade on drums, leader Anspauch on tenor saxophone, Joe Goldberg on saxophone, Mike Roosa on keyboards and Richard Garcia on alto sax. All members participate in their respective high school jazz programs and have performed locally. They’ve been seen at The Avenue Viera, countless Space Coast Jazz Society and WFIT events, local restaurants, private parties and community celebrations.
“Forget that this is a group of high school musicians. When you hear Jazzalicious play John Coltrane you will just not believe it. They are utterly mesmerizing. These musicians improvise like seasoned professionals,” says Sandi Hall of WFIT radio.
JAM is presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and a roster of partners.
Rounding out the day will be internationally known painter and sculptor van Eeden who will paint live starting at 3 p.m. In a style most often described as contemporary abstract, he uses acrylics in his larger-than-life works.
During the concert van Eeden will paint his interpretation of the afternoon’s music, improvising with shapes, lines and color. He also will paint his impression of the university’s mascot, the panther. Both paintings will be available in a live auction at 5:30 p.m. Auction proceeds will benefit new programs designed to unite science and art at Florida Tech.
Holland-born Van Eeden attended school in The Hague, where his creative mind was stimulated by the great works of European artists. Since moving to Melbourne, Fla., he has devoted his time to teaching art at all levels and to all ages, at the Brevard Museum of Art and Science, local elementary schools and Florida Tech.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair to the Panthereum, located off Country Club Road, near the Denius Student Center.
The final Jazz at the Panthereum concert, on May 27, will feature the Ron Pirtle Quartet. A special guest artist will be named at a later date.
Community donations are required to continue the series in subsequent years. To become a patron, make a donation of $25 or more by calling Sandi Hall at (321) 674-7401. 
PHOTO:  Melbourne artist Sigi Oberlaender paints as Norm Bernard blows the flugelhorn at the March Jazz at the Panthereum.