VJC SPOTLIGHT CONCERT FEATURING NICK FINZER (BENEFIT FOR KITCHEN ON THE STREET)

On Saturday, May 3rd at 2:00 p.m., the ensembles of the Valley Jazz Cooperative educational program will share the Ravenscroft Hall stage for the final time this season, joined by guest trombonist Nick Finzer. The Sapphire Big Band (led by Paul Brewer) and the Cerulean Combo and Indigo Big Band (both under the direction of Russell Schmidt) will play a wide-ranging program, with selections from Bill Holman, J.J. Johnson, Gerry Mulligan, Rayburn Wright, and many more.

This year’s VJC Spotlight Concert is once again a fundraising event, in cooperation with MSW Ministries’ Music on a Mission outreach. 100% of all proceeds and donations from this concert will benefit Kitchen on the Street, which is a beacon of hope to food-insecure children in Arizona. Since its founding by the Scarpinato family in 2007, Kitchen on the Street has rallied to serve children in need, with staggering results:

• More than half a million Bags of Hope have been distributed to provide food-insecure children with weekend nutrition.
• 4.6 million meals have been served to food-insecure children and families.
• More than 23,000 volunteers have donated over 131,000 hours to serve those in need.

Learn more at https://www.kitchenonthestreet.org/

About the guest artist… Hailed as a “Rising Star” in the world of jazz (DownBeat Critics Poll), Nick Finzer is making waves in the music industry with his dynamic original compositions and trombone artistry. Finzer has toured the globe as a bandleader as well as sharing the stage with some of the most respected names in jazz. As both a headlining trombonist and an entrepreneur, Finzer is on a mission to spread the joy and power of jazz. In the past ten years, he has released seven critically acclaimed albums, garnering features in the industry’s top publications and placements in the Top 10 of the JazzWeek’s charts. His original compositions have received national recognition through the honor of two ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Awards, and in 2020 he became a recipient of the prestigious New Jazz Works grant from Chamber Music America. Finzer’s latest album “Legacy” released last year, celebrates the centennial of trombone legend J.J. Johnson.

About the VJC… The Valley Jazz Cooperative was founded in 2016 as an educational outreach of MSW Ministries. Instruction is focused on expanding the creativity of VJC members by developing improvisation skills and learning the unique language of jazz. The program is offered free of charge to eligible, committed, passionate music students (grades 8-12).

Lobby doors open at 1:00 p.m., and Ravenscroft Hall doors open at 1:40 p.m. (following a soundcheck by the students). No food or drink is permitted inside Ravenscroft Hall. Please note that parking is free and abundant on-site at Ravenscroft.

 Cost for this event is $25.00 (adults) & $10.00 (for students). Click the “Get Tickets” button above to reserve your seats. Please join us and enjoy the remarkable artistry of Nick Finzer and the students of the VJC, all while supporting Kitchen on the Street!