Ed Metz Trio in Florida, 1/9/12

Eddie Metz Jr. and Nicki Parrott in Florida, 1/12

Rossano Sportiello in Florida, 1/12

Orlando-based drummer Eddie Metz Jr. crafted a Florida mini-tour with New York-based pianist Rossano Sportiello and bassist Nicki Parrott, who he called two of his favorite musicians on their respective instruments. Their January 9 performance at the Charlotte Cultural Center in Port Charlotte opened a weeklong Florida leg that winds up this weekend at Matt Domber’s fourth annual Arbors Records Invitational Jazz Party in Clearwater Beach.

“It’s only my trio from the standpoint that I booked the gig,” Metz said. He wasn’t kidding in that regard. This was a true trio of equals, with the players passing the relay baton all night to lead the trio through a diverse array of excellent music.