Tom Ellison and Hip Pocket

Tom Ellison and Hip Pocket at Dante’s Allegro Bistro Wednesday, October 24

Southwest-Florida-based jazz quartet returns to popular Venice, FL restaurant

Reed player and leader Tom Ellison lives in Venice, FL and performs with area combos and big bands. As a freelance woodwind artist, Tom has performed with Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, John Denver, Henry Mancini, Andy Williams, Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Lou Rawls and many other top name artists.

Don Mopsick lives in Cape Coral FL. For 19 years he was the bassist with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band in San Antonio, TX and appeared on the Riverwalk Jazz public radio series. He has also played jazz concerts in Florida and elsewhere with Mousey Alexander, Ralph Sutton, Kenny Davern, Ira Sullivan, Ken Peplowski, Dick Hyman, Peter Appleyard, Red Rodney, Aaron Weinstein and many others. Don plays an antique German double bass set up in the old-school manner with high action and gut strings, and he prefers acoustic “unplugged” playing wherever possible.

Safety Harbor FL resident Matt Bokulic is Director Of Education at the Players School of Music in Clearwater, FL.  Matt studied piano and composition at Berklee College of Music, The University of Massachusetts and The University of South Florida. He has played and recorded with Celine Dion, John Laporta Rick Derringer, Reeves Gabrels, and The Nelson Riddle Orchestra.

Drummer Chuck Parr holds a Master Degree from Florida State University School of Music. He has taught music and art in Sarasota. Very active in the local jazz scene, he is considered one of the best big band drummers in the area. His hobbies include the refurbishment of fine percussion instruments and fine arts painting.

Dante’s Allegro Bistro is located at 1740 East Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34292. Call (941) 484-1889 for more information and reservations. Click here for a map. The music starts at 6:30 PM. See you there!