Gulf Coast Jazz Collective & Jazz at the MACC
The Gulf Coast Jazz Collective
Jazz at the MACC
Our 2025–26 Jazz Series continues to raise the bar with a lineup that honors the roots of jazz while pushing the music forward. From timeless tributes and reimagined classics to powerhouse vocalists, bold original works, and genre-crossing grooves, each concert delivers the kind of live jazz that stays with you. Founded in 2021, the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective set out to “play real jazz and blow people out of their seats,” says band leader Paul Gavin. Five seasons in, their sold-out shows prove they’re doing just that.
The Gulf Coast Jazz Collective is led by powerhouse drummer Paul Gavin, alongside pianist Zach Bartholomew and bassist Brandon Robertson—three of the most accomplished and electrifying jazz musicians in Florida. Together, they bring in esteemed guest artists and take audiences on a thrilling ride through every era of jazz. From the classics of Miles, Monk, and Coltrane to bold, original compositions, every concert is a masterclass in musicianship and showmanship. With big energy, deep grooves, and an electric atmosphere, these concerts are unlike anything else you’ll find in Southwest Florida—or beyond.
Jazz Messenger
“I just want to play the instrument that resonates within my soul.”
Learn more about Paul and the origins of the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective.
MEET PAUL GAVIN, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Paul Gavin is the Artistic Director of the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective and Advisor for Inclusivity & Diversity Initiatives at the Gulf Coast Symphony. Based in Tampa, FL, Paul is a drummer, teacher, composer, and arranger. Since graduating from the University of South Florida in 2015, he has thrived as a freelance musician, collaborating with top talents across Florida and leading the best-selling, high-energy Gulf Coast Jazz Collective concerts at the MACC in Fort Myers. Paul leads two bands, The Vanguard and Mosaic, and has received numerous honors, including the VSA International Young Soloist Competition and the Downbeat Student Award. He also won a grant from the Young Artists Awards in Fort Myers for his debut album. Catch Paul and the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective at the MACC for some of the most exciting live performances in Southwest Florida!
Welcome to the Music and Arts Community Center, a 270-seat venue in Fort Myers just off Daniels Parkway. With fantastic views from every seat, it’s a premier spot for live music, including jazz and chamber orchestra concerts, and home to the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective. Founded in 2020 on the cusp of the pandemic, the MACC serves as a community space for Southwest Florida, enriching the area with quality and diverse entertainment. Enjoy our lobby bar and experience exceptional acoustics on an unforgettable night out.
Get to know the MACC, SWFL’s newest space for live music and theatre.
BUY TICKETS
Experience the best jazz in Southwest Florida—your way. Get 25% off when you subscribe to all six concerts in the Jazz Series and enjoy the same reserved seat for every show. It’s the easiest way to catch the full season of high-energy, world-class performances—or, buy single tickets to the concerts you love.