Blue Bamboo Arts Center faces challenges, said executive director Jeff Flowers. But after a decade of operation, changes to the surviving venue, and the death of its founder, the nonprofit that elevates live music is still here.
And that’s worth celebrating.
“I can’t say it’s a miracle,” Flowers said. “But it’s close.”
Blue Bamboo will hold a 10th anniversary concert on June 28th at its current home in the former Winter Park Library. The headliner is the Orlando Jazz Orchestra. It was the first ensemble to lead the Blue Bamboo concert at its original location ten years ago, and the first to give its name to the current stage.
A lot has happened in the organization over the past decade, and not all of it has been welcomed.
“The last few years in particular have been a challenge,” Flowers says modestly. “But the big message is Blue Bamboo is here and we’re here to stay.”
Blue Bamboo is the dream of jazz musician Chris Cortez, who opened the original venue in 2016 in a warehouse space on Kentucky Avenue in Winter Park. But in 2023, a new landlord tripled the rent, and the organization moved forward. We landed in the old Winter Park Library building in June 2025, but a lot of work was needed to transform the space.
In October, a deal with Central Florida Vocal Arts, with which they would share the space, fell through. But the biggest blow came in December, just four days before Christmas. Cortez died a few weeks after the brain tumor was discovered.
Flowers said Cortez’s presence will be felt at the memorial concert.
Blue Bamboo founder Chris Cortez dies at age 69
“His spirit is in the room,” Flowers said, noting that Blue Bamboo plays recordings of Cortez’s music during intermissions and interludes. “He’s still a part of the show. We’re moving forward, and that’s what he wanted.”
But moving forward comes with new challenges.
Flowers is in talks with Winter Park officials about easing future rent increases that would double the nonprofit’s monthly payments to the city, which owns the building. He is also considering changes to the lease agreement to provide more options for subleasing space within the building.
Blue Bamboo has just received its official certificate of occupancy for the first floor, which means attention will now shift to the upper floors, Flowers said.
And despite the uncertainty regarding the building, Flowers says the organization is in good shape. In the last 12 months, Blue Bamboo has paid musicians $200,000.
“It puts money in the hands of the people on stage,” he says.
He said attendance has increased, with more than 100 people attending the past two Thursday Hangs, an informal night of jazz-related jam sessions.
The community’s response to the space and the live music it offers gives him hope for the future.
“We’ve been amazed by the audience’s response and passion,” he says. “We received 75 messages of support in one week.”
He hopes city officials can help keep the momentum going. “Winter Park is a city of arts and culture,” he says. “That’s what we want.”
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And for now, Flowers is excited to celebrate with the Orlando Jazz Orchestra.
“They opened for us 10 years ago,” he says. “It’s coming full circle.”
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anniversary concert
• What: Orlando Jazz Orchestra Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Blue Bamboo
• Date and time: June 28th, 3:00 p.m.
• Location: Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, 460 E. New England Ave., in Winter Park.
• Price: $25.86 – $42.42
• Information: bluebambooartcenter.com
