2012 Archives • Jacksonville Jazz Festival

July 1, 2021

Gary Starling

2012 Inductee Gary Starling is a veteran of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, including 15 performances since 1985. Starling has also performed in local jazz clubs and private venues throughout the North Florida area. He has also appeared at the Hilton Head Jazz Society and the Gainesville Friends of Jazz. Starling’s professional jazz career began at 16, playing with Doug Carne at the El Dorado Lounge on Moncrief Road. During the late 60s and 70s, Starling...

July 1, 2021

Bernard Howard

2012 Inductee Bernard “Womack” Howard was a respected pianist in Jacksonville’s jazz community. He was trained as a child by his parents and went on to become an accomplished player. He performed with such notables as Teddy Washington, Longineu Parsons, Rev. Eugene White, Lisa Kelly, Gary Starling and other talented musicians during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. After retiring from the U.S. government, where he was the first black air traffic controller in the southern region,...