Leader Publications
October 22, 2012
Jackson Event Scaled Back
By John Eby
The sixth annual Franz Jackson Jazz Celebration: Blowin’ The Blues Away! will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Wood Fire Trattoria, 134 S. Front St., Dowagiac, beginning at 5 p.m.
This is a change in time and venue from the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center, where the event was previously scheduled to take place.
Chris Greene Quartet kicks things off at 5, followed by vocalist Jenna Mammina (backed by Bob Dogan and Dan Shapera on piano and bass, respectively), and then the CD release party for “Franz Jackson: Milestone” starts at 8 p.m. with an all-star group of Eric Schneider, Yves Francois, Judi K, Billy Nicks and Bob and Dan.
Tickets prices remain the same as they were for the CD Release party: $25 for adults and an added discounted option of $10 for children ages 12-17; anyone under 12 will be admitted free.
Every adult ticket holder that night will receive a digital download of “Franz Jackson: Milestone” (a $20 value). Tickets can be ordered online at http://franzjackson.bandcamp.com/merch.
The Franz Jackson Jazz Celebration honors the late Chicago legend Franz Jackson, a former Dowagiac resident, for his lifelong contribution to the music world.
This year, Jazz Celebration will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Franz’s birth
with an expanded one-day jazz concert event featuring a variety of professional jazz musicians from Chicago, Michigan and beyond.
Jackson passed away at age 95 in May 2008.
Sponsors supporting the Jazz Celebration include WSBT, Lyons Industries of Dowagiac, Pizza Transit of Niles, Jazz Record Mart of Chicago, MediaSys of Clarkston, Mich., and Shirk’s Piano and Organ of Mishawaka.
To further Franz’s philosophy on music and mentoring, The Franz Jackson Jazz Celebration is collaborating with Charity Music Inc. (www.charitymusicinc.org).
Charity Music Inc., is a Michigan-based non-profit organization that provides new and used musical instruments to homeless and disadvantaged children so they may pursue their musical aspirations.
A portion of the proceeds benefits Charity Music Inc. and its programs.
