Swing, rock, and groove with the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival
At the annual Spring Fundraiser at Beverly’s Larcom Theatre.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2015 – The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is throwing a benefit concert April 26 featuring the Cape Ann Big Band, a 17-piece swing band out of Gloucester and the North Shore Jazz Project All Stars, an elite youth jazz ensemble, comprised of local high school students. All proceeds will benefit the festival, a volunteer-run nonprofit celebrating its ninth season.
The fundraiser will take place at the historic Larcom Theatre in downtown Beverly on Sunday, April 26 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30). The theater is located at 13 Wallis St.
The benefit is sponsored by Wylie Inn and Conference Center, Marblehead Bank, Salem Cycle, North Shore 104.9 and Chianti Tuscan Restaurant and Jazz Lounge. The night will feature a silent auction of items donated by generous North Shore businesses and artists; raffles and a cash bar.
Tickets (available at www.gimmelive.tv) are $19/$29/$39 and proceeds will fund the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival’s non-profit mission of producing free concerts and supporting music education causes on the North Shore. This is the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival’s only ticketed show of the year.
About the Cape Ann Big Band: Formed in 2010, the 17-piece Cape Ann Big Band is driven by the talents of Cape Ann musicians who pride themselves in performing to entertain and connect with the local community. Bandleader Carlos Menezes Jr. directs the group in jazz, swing, New Orleans street band music, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll — standards from the “Golden era” of swing, pop tunes, and a number of show-tunes derived from popular films. “Moondance”, “Wonderwall”, Van Halen’s “Jump”, “Take the A Train”, Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood”, and a tribute to Frank Sinatra and Basie are just a few of the charts in this season’s repertoire.
About the North Shore Jazz Project All Stars: The NSJP All Stars is a world-class youth jazz band featuring the best high-school aged musical talent on Boston’s North Shore. The group is led by local tenor saxophonist, Mike Tucker, a Berklee College of Music graduate and professor.
In the coming months, the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival will host the following free shows:
• The SJSF/Berklee Summer Series at Derby Square, Salem, with Berklee College of Music student-led bands, on May 9 June 13, July 11 and Aug. 8
• The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival, a two-day concert at the Salem Willows, with 10 bands, a music education tent, kids tent, 21+ beer garden, and artisans selling hand-made goods, Aug. 15-16
Please go to salemjazzsoul.org for more information. Photos available upon request.
Leading up to the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival’s main event, Aug. 16-17, Sarah McKenzie, an Australian student attending Berklee College of Music, will play the final SJSF/Berklee Summer Series concert of 2014 in Derby Square, Salem, on Saturday, Aug. 9.