Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series: Tower of Power

The St. Augustine Amphitheatre has joined with Fort Mose Historic State Park to present a series of award-winning jazz and blues artists to appear in honor of the historic, and culturally significant, Fort Mose. On Saturday, February 8, 2025, Fort Mose welcomes Tower of Power.

Saxophonist Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka on the baritone saxophone met and formed the band that would become Tower of Power when Emilio was 17. The band has delighted jazz and funk lovers for more than 56 years. In addition to Emilio and "Doc," the current members are Roger Smith on keyboards and vocals, Tome E. Politzer on lead tenor sax, Adolfo Acosta on second trumpet and flugelhorn, Jerry Cortez on guitar and vocals, Marc van Wageningen on bass guitar, Dave Richards on trumpet and trombone, Jordan John on lead vocals, and Pete Antunes is on the drums.

This legendary band has performed with scores of other artists and has had eight songs on the Billboard Hot 100.

The site of the Fort Mose Historic State Park is America's first legally sanctioned settlement of free Africans and was a safe destination for escaped slaves during the early years of the Underground Railroad. This series is part of the County's Black History Month celebration. Proceeds of the concerts will help fund the construction of a representation of the original Fort Mose, which was destroyed in 1740 during the Battle of Bloody Mose.

The Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series is jointly produced by the Fort Mose Historical Society, the St. Johns County Cultural Events Division, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, the St. Johns Cultural Council, and Flying Saucer Presents.

Performer: Tower of Power

When: Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Admission: Tickets range from $69.00 to $119.00. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Amphitheater Box Office on Anastasia Island. The box office is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

Where: Fort Mose Historic State Park, 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine, Florida 32084.

The Full Series for 2025: Snarky Puppy on February 6, TBA on February 7, Tower of Power on February 8, Dinner Party on February 14, Macy Gray on February 15, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band on February 16.

Parking & Shuttles: There is no charge for parking and shuttles. Guest parking is available at 200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine Florida, 32084, at the St. Johns County Health & Human Services Building, just one mile north of Fort Mose. There is no on-site parking at Fort Mose Historic State Park.