On Sunday May 15th, four great bands will be appearing at the Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro, 908 Shore Rd., Somers Point, NJ, from 4-8 PM to raise money for Jazz Bridge, a nonprofit that aids jazz and blues musicians in crisis who are living in the Lower Delaware Valley. Tickets: $25 (includes a buffet), cash bar. Terrific Door prizes. For info call: 609-927-2300 or 215-517-8337, visit jazzbridge.org or email [email protected] Seating will be limited, so get your tickets now.
4 PM: The Ed Vezinho/Jim Ward Big Band, a smokin' 16-piece big band, kicks off the fundraiser—alto saxophonist and arranger Ed Vezinho and trumpeter Jim Ward lead a band that is nothing short of phenomenal. Their CD With Friends Like These got rave reviews from every jazz publication on record. Cadence called the band “a proud extension of the territory band tradition." The Philadelphia Inquirer praised Vezinho's original compositions and his funky arrangements. All About Jazz heralded the band, saying, “Most of all, the musicianship, solos and all around outstanding performances from a truly world-class orchestra"
5 PM: the Tony Day Quartet takes the stage with guitarist Teddy Royal, organist Dan Kostelnik, alto saxman Duane Davis and drummer Tony Day. This band is comprised of some of the best musicians in the NJ/Philly area who will rock the joint to the sounds of the Hammond B-3 from the minute they hit the downbeat until the end of their set.
6 PM: the Jim Ridl Trio is next with bassist Tim Lekan, and drummer Bob Shomo. Pianist Ridl is one of our tastiest artists and a major talent on the world stage. JazzTimes wrote, “Very few jazz pianist/composers were raised on ranches in North Dakota. Jim Ridl's origins on the windswept plains may explain why he is able to perceive jazz potential in unlikely rural sources...Ridl is a forcefully articulate pianist and his take is fresh and caterwauling and free."
7 PM: Jim Ridl and Tim Lekan stay onstage and invite singer/songwriter Gina Roche to do a set with Keith Hollis on drums and percussionist Jimmy Hamilton. The Philadelphia Inquirer loved her CD Dawn of a New Way, calling her “the intersection of jazz, soul, and Brazilian pop" and All About Jazz praised her as an “individualistic and compelling singer."
4 PM: The Ed Vezinho/Jim Ward Big Band, a smokin' 16-piece big band, kicks off the fundraiser—alto saxophonist and arranger Ed Vezinho and trumpeter Jim Ward lead a band that is nothing short of phenomenal. Their CD With Friends Like These got rave reviews from every jazz publication on record. Cadence called the band “a proud extension of the territory band tradition." The Philadelphia Inquirer praised Vezinho's original compositions and his funky arrangements. All About Jazz heralded the band, saying, “Most of all, the musicianship, solos and all around outstanding performances from a truly world-class orchestra"
5 PM: the Tony Day Quartet takes the stage with guitarist Teddy Royal, organist Dan Kostelnik, alto saxman Duane Davis and drummer Tony Day. This band is comprised of some of the best musicians in the NJ/Philly area who will rock the joint to the sounds of the Hammond B-3 from the minute they hit the downbeat until the end of their set.
6 PM: the Jim Ridl Trio is next with bassist Tim Lekan, and drummer Bob Shomo. Pianist Ridl is one of our tastiest artists and a major talent on the world stage. JazzTimes wrote, “Very few jazz pianist/composers were raised on ranches in North Dakota. Jim Ridl's origins on the windswept plains may explain why he is able to perceive jazz potential in unlikely rural sources...Ridl is a forcefully articulate pianist and his take is fresh and caterwauling and free."
7 PM: Jim Ridl and Tim Lekan stay onstage and invite singer/songwriter Gina Roche to do a set with Keith Hollis on drums and percussionist Jimmy Hamilton. The Philadelphia Inquirer loved her CD Dawn of a New Way, calling her “the intersection of jazz, soul, and Brazilian pop" and All About Jazz praised her as an “individualistic and compelling singer."
