Pensacola’s Joe Occhipinti is this year’s Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival Hall of Fame inductee. But don’t congratulate the saxophonist on the honor. Instead, support the events surrounding jazz in the area, Occhipinti requests. There is a big chance that Occhipinti will be there, too, as he always has been.

The Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival, based out of Mobile, is a non-profit with a mission to further the preservation and growth of jazz music for future generations, according to its website. Choosing Occhipinti as an inductee is apropos for both the organization and the musician.