Community Jazz Sessions at Heartwood Soundstage

Join us for an evening of live jazz, community, and creative collaboration at Heartwood Soundstage. This monthly Jazz Jam features a professional house rhythm section, spotlight performances by local jazz artists, and open opportunities for jazz musicians to sit in and play or sing.

Players with jazz experience at any level — from emerging improvisers to seasoned performers — are invited to bring their instrument and sign up for an opportunity to be featured with the house rhythm section on a tune or two of their choice. Jazz listeners are warmly invited to come enjoy the music, discover local talent, and be part of a growing Gainesville jazz community.

Want to sit-in with the rhythm section and play your tune? We welcome you!! Please fill out this form!

https://forms.gle/EhkaBiAnUWaDtupq7

Online sign-in recommended, but not required. Sign-ups also possible at 5:30 at the bar.

Whether you come to play or simply to listen, this evening is designed to be welcoming, lively, and full of the spontaneous energy that makes jazz such a powerful shared experience. Everyone is welcome!

July's Jazz Sessions feature:

Natalie Rella

Natalie Rella is a Gainesville, Florida–based jazz vocalist whose expressive voice brings timeless jazz to audiences throughout the region. Performing with the Natalie Rella Jazz Ensemble, she interprets classics from the Great American Songbook alongside jazz-inspired arrangements of contemporary favorites.

Nick DeCarlis

A Gainesville resident since 1974, Nick graduated from UF in 1982 with a degree in Graphic Design, his profession for more than 40 years as owner of DECA Design. For just as long, Nick has been a self-taught professional jazz musician and musicologist, leading bands for both public and private events, with an emphasis on the songs and musicians from the 1930’s into the 1950’s. The Nick DeCarlis Quartet plays every 3rd Saturday at Daft Cow Brewery’s Listing Room (Alachua). In 2025 the Nick DeCarlis Quartet released a new album of original music called “Themes From Imaginary Movies”. Nick was a founding member of the Gainesville Friends of Jazz in 1982, and later produced /performed in four “Themed Concerts” for GFOJ. He also founded the High Note Jazz Club upstairs at the historic Florida Theater in 1991 and played there regularly with his Trio. Themed Concerts continue to be a special interest. Previous shows have included the popular “Songs Sinatra Sang”, “Hollywood Jazz”, “The Hits of Tony Bennett”, and “Holiday Jazz”. Musical influences include Bobby Hackett, Warren Vache, Jr, Ruby Braff (all cornet), Chet Baker (trumpet), and Scott Hamilton (tenor sax). Nick is also known as a collector/restorer of antique jukeboxes, as well as cornets and trumpets.

Info including show information: www.NickDeCarlisJazz.com

Rhythm Section:

Ryan Hecker - Drums

Ryan Hecker is a new resident of Gainesville, Florida. Prior to the move, Ryan was an active drummer and percussionist in South Florida for over fifteen years. Ryan is a graduate of Florida International University with a B.A. in Jazz Performance and the University of Miami with a M.M. in Jazz Performance. Ryan can most often be heard in the theatre, with recent performances including In the Heights at the Arsht Center of Performing Arts and On Your Feet! at the Actors’ Playhouse. Ryan spent his pre-college career as a member of the Florida Youth Orchestra and continued playing with the Sunrise Symphonic Pops Orchestra throughout college. This experience combined with his schooling in jazz has shaped Ryan’s goal for his music career, which is to expand and redefine the definition of what a “Drummer” can and is expected to perform. Currently, Ryan is a Professor of Fine Arts at Santa Fe College teaching a variety of music courses and percussion lessons.

Cindy Mueller - Piano/Host

Cindy Mueller is a Gainesville-based jazz pianist and vocalist, with many years of experience as music educator, musical director and bandleader. A summa cum laude graduate of James Madison University in Music Education, she has worked as a performer, musical director/pianist, and teacher in the United States and internationally, including with the USO in Germany and Italy. With fellow jazz musician, John David Eriksen, she has released the jazz album Sixes and Sevens, available on major streaming platforms. After hosting jazz sessions in her own music studio for years, Cindy is happy to help bring this kind of welcoming musical gathering to Heartwood Soundstage as pianist and host of the Heartwood Jazz Sessions.

Instagram: @cindymuellerjazz

Album: Sixes and Sevens, streaming on all platforms

Jens Watts - Bass

Jens is a bassist, ethnomusicologist, and educator who has performed around the country and continental Europe. He holds a BA in Music from Brigham Young University, where he performed for four years with the jazz group Synthesis. After moving to Gainesville, Jens received an MM in Ethnomusicology from the University of Florida. During his master’s degree, he performed with UF’s Jazz, Brazilian, and Afropop ensembles, as well as undertaking a research trip to São Paulo, Brazil. He will be continuing his studies at UF as a PhD student in the fall. Jens can be heard on recordings with BYU Synthesis, The Fabled Folks, Jumpmonk, and a forthcoming UF Jazz Band album.

Indoor Stage

All Ages

Free Entry

Sit-ins welcome

Bring an instrument

Everyone is welcome!

Presented in partnership with Avera & Smith. Heartwood Soundstage proudly thanks Avera & Smith, our Annual Concert Series Sponsor, for supporting live music and community programming in Gainesville.

A HUGE thank you to our Jazz Sessions sponsors for making this event possible!

Gainesville Big Band www.gainesvillebigband.com

Roger Reep

Darren Burgess

Edward White