The Gary Starling Group — featuring its guitar-playing namesake, a Jacksonville University Artist-in-Residence — will perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the Breezin’ Stage at The Jacksonville Landing. John W. Ricci, Director of Jazz Studies at JU, will perform with his John Ricci Quartet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the “Groovin’ Stage” at Hemming Plaza (read more about Ricci here and see the full schedule here.
Here’s Gary Starling’s bio (read more at www.garystarling.com):
Gary Starling, Guitarist, Artist-in-Residence
Gary Starling attended Georgia State University, Florida Junior College, Dick Grove Music Workshop and studied privately with jazz guitarists Joe Pass, Howard Alden, Peter Bernstein and others. He began playing professionally in 1967 when he joined a jazz trio touring the United States. After years performing on the road, he returned to Jacksonville in the early 1980s to become a member of the Bill Davis Trio. He has taught guitar at Jacksonville University, Florida Community College Jacksonville, Episcopal High School, and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. He has performed with the Jacksonville Symphony, Diahann Carroll, Bob Hope, Rita Moreno, jazz great Eddie Harris, and Joshua Breakstone among others, and made multiple appearances at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.