17th Annual “Thin Man” Watts Jazz Fest to highlight Latin Jazz
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Jazz fans look to DeLand for Noble “Thin Man” Watts Jazz Fest
Hundreds of Central Florida jazz fans will flock to DeLand for the 2026 “Thin Man” Watts Jazz Fest at the Second Stage Theater, 600 N. Woodland Blvd., on Saturday, April 25 from 12 - 6:00 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now at www.wattsjazzfest.com for the 17th annual “Thin Man” Watts Jazz Fest, which honors DeLand native and renowned saxophonist Dr. Noble “Thin Man“ Watts. The 2026 Fest will feature four musical acts on Stetson University's Second Stage Theater. Additionally poetry, provide by Exodus United, a Central Florida based non-profit organization dedicated to serving at-risk youth through arts-and-education programs, will be spoken between the musical acts.
Ticket holders get admission to all four acts:
1. Sal Martinez Trio featuring pianist Sal Martinez
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Pianist Sal Martinez and his trio will play jazz standards from bebop of the 1950s, to the post jazz/ rock fusion era. The trio consists of piano, bass, and drums. Martinez will soon complete his degree in Jazz Studies as a piano performance major at the University of Central Florida. This budding young pianist recently went on a jazz tour in Tokyo, as well as winning multiple awards for performing at competitions at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
2. Eighth Note Collective featuring trombonist Derrick Harris
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Eighth Note Collective is a versatile jazz ensemble based in Orlando, that blends traditional jazz with soul, funk, R&B, and Latin rhythms. Led by trombonist Derrick Harris, the group performs both original compositions and creative arrangements of pop standards.
3. Ella and the Bossa Beat, featuring pianist/vocalist Ella Blu.
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Ella and the Bossa Beat is an international father-daughter jazz duo (with the addition of a bassist/ guitarist for this show) featuring vocalist and pianist Ella Blu and Grammy- nominated drummer/producer Magrus Borges. Based in Orlando, They are known for blending contemporary jazz, soul, and Brazilian Bossa Nova.
4. Dimas Sanchez
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
The 2026 “Thin Man” Watts Jazz Fest will feature renowned Puerto Rican percussionist Dimas Sanchez, and his Afro Latin Jazz Project, blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms with Latin jazz. Based in Orlando, Sanchez’ ensemble explores the cultural and rhythmic connections between Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.
The 2026 Jazz Fest kicks off with a jazz performance at Abbey Bar in Downtown DeLand on Friday night, April 24, from 8:00 to 11:00 PM.
T-shirts and posters will be available for purchase Saturday outside the Second Stage Theater. T-shirts are $20, or $25 for a bundle that includes a shirt from a previous year. Posters will be available for $3 each. A variety of food options will be onsite, including soul food and vegan selections from Golden Meals. In addition, the African American Museum of the Arts will be selling cookies and Icees.
All proceeds from this year's event are dedicated to the African American Museum of the Arts in DeLand, which recently finished constructing a much needed 3,500-square-foot expansion of its facility at 325 S. Clara Ave.
The annual Jazz Fest would not be possible without its sponsors: Judy Thompson, HapCo Music Youth Arts, Kemp Realty Group, Boulevard Tire Center, Advent Health – DeLand, Ken Goldberg Construction Co. LLC, Barb and Jeff Shepherd, Mainstreet Community Bank, Self-Help Credit Union, and Run 4 a Cause. In-kind sponsors and other supporters are Stetson University, The West Volusia Beacon Newspaper, West Volusia Tourism, Main Street DeLand Association, Sunny’s Wine & Liquor, Songbird Studios, Tinker Graphics, and Quality Quickprint.
About the “Thin Man” Watts Jazz Fest
The “Thin Man" Watts Jazz Fest is an annual celebration in Downtown DeLand dedicated to the life and legacy of legendary saxophonist and DeLand native Dr. Noble "Thin Man" Watts. Established in 2011, the festival serves as a primary fundraiser for the African American Museum of the Arts (AAMA). Its mission is to bridge community gaps and honor the area's storied musical history through world class jazz performances and cultural engagement. Jazz Fest tickets may be purchased online at www.wattsjazzfest.com.
Comments