The Litchfield Jazz Festival is pleased to announce a Benefit Evening, starring Dave Brubeck, produced by Jazz'd 4 Life and jazz radio personality, Mike Gow. Jazz'd 4 Life a non-profit organization dedicated to building opportunities for young people around the world founded by Brubeck family members. The Benefit Concert & Auction will be held on Friday, June 19th at Infinity Hall in Norfolk, CT. The evening begins with a pre-concert reception (open to premium $225 ticket holders) from 5:30 - 7 PM at the Infinity Hall Bistro where guests will have a chance to meet Mr. Brubeck.
Infinity Hall is Connecticut's newest hot spot for intimate concerts and dining. Reception food is provided by Chef Dan Fortin (formerly of Hartford's Trumbull Kitchen) and music by the renowned flutist Ali Ryerson and her Trio. The menu includes Lamb Kabobs, Pistachio Encrusted Beet and Goat Cheese Balls, New Orleans Barbeque Rolls, micro brews and an impressive wine selection. Ms. Ryerson, who joins the Litchfield Jazz Camp faculty this summer, has an active career that has taken her to New York's JVC Festival, Carnegie Hall, and Edinburgh Festival, to name a few.
The concerts open at 7PM with vocalist Nicole Zuraitis, a Litchfield native and NYU graduate who found her love of jazz at Litchfield Jazz Camp at 12. Her first CD, "Spread the Word," debuted with her on the 2008 Litchfield Jazz Festival. She regularly performs across Connecticut, in New York City, and as far away as Italy.
Next, guest hosts Colin McEnroe and Dianne Mower will perform an original Dave and Iola Brubeck composition called "One Moment Worth Years," originally written for Carmen MacRae and Louis Armstrong. Mower, a vocalist, educator, and an instructor at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, has performed at the Blue Note in NYC, the Hartford Jazz Society, and various jazz festivals. Colin McEnroe is a well-known radio talk show host, columnist, author, social commentator, and playwright.
McEnroe and Mower will also serve as the evening's auctioneers. Items include a Takamine acoustic/electric guitar, tickets to The Litchfield Jazz Festival Gala Opening Night in Kent, Tanglewood, George Wein's Jazz Festival 55, the Monterey Jazz Festival (including airfare), a yacht cruise, unique "jazz" necklace designed for this event by jeweler Neill Walsh, vintage autographed Dave Brubeck posters, priceless jazz memorabilia, music lessons, spa treatments and restaurant gift certificates.
The featured performance follows, by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, with Bobby Militello on alto saxophone and flute, Randy Jones on drums and Michael Moore on bass. Mr. Brubeck, whose signature album Take Five is the largest seller in jazz history, has been honored by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the International Jazz Hall of Fame, Down Beat Hall of Fame, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards, the National Medal of the Arts, the NEA Jazz Masters, the Connecticut Arts Awards, and was recently designated a Living Legend of Jazz. He has also been awarded six honorary doctorates.
Proceeds from this benefit will be donated to a variety of causes Jazz'd 4 Life is pleased to support: Litchfield Jazz Camp, the Joe Beck scholarship fund, Camp AmeriKids, Camp Farnam, Back Country Jazz youth outreach to Bridgeport schools and Bridgeport's Achievement First Academy, and projects abroad like the Well Project, k-12 School and orphanage in Haiti, and orphanages in India and Kenya.
Tickets at $85, $110 and $225 (includes Bisto Reception), are available at www.infinityhall.com or by calling 866-666-6306. For more information visit www.jazzed4life.org and www.litchfieldjazzfest.com.
