Press release from event organizer:
The final Sunday of each month in 2017, two groups of WNC-based musicians and their ensembles will each perform a benefit concert to rise funding for WNC non-profits. The music performed each week will fluctuate between, jazz, rhythm & blues, soul, jazz funk, jazz fusion, and swing. Each event will host two groups, playing, consecutively between 3:00 and 5:00 pm with a brief intermission.
Jason DeCristofaro an Asheville based musician and music professor at A-B Tech and Warren Wilson College conceived the concert series after learning that many WNC organizations were concerned about their funding and the ability to continue to serve and protect their constituents under new administrations. Knowing that many of the non for profits support families were already living on the edge, any reduction in funding could trigger dramatic consequences. When Jason considered where to host the event series his first choice was Cam McQueen, the owner of the Block off Biltmore, with whom Jason had recently collaborated for a Louisiana flood victim benefit. Cam had been hosting Tuesday night Jazz n Justice Events for the past year and he knew that she shared his concerns about the potential for an unraveling of the WNC social safety net. The project had a home.
DeCristofaro states “As we enter 2017, my concerns about our most disenfranchised communities and our regional ecosystems continue. The goal is to generate financial support, and community engagement with these twelve WNC non-profits whose work supports vulnerable populations and our natural world. It’s my hope that concert attendees will walk away inspired and informed. Our region has a community ethic and history of self-reliance and resiliency. As a long term Asheville resident I think it’s important to continue the WNC supporting WNC tradition. The artists joining me share that sentiment”.
100% of proceeds go to the non for profits. Mr. DeCristofaro is donating all of his work on the project as the producer and as a performer during all 12 events. All of the 30 plus musicians involved in the project reside in WNC and are also donating their time. Jason’s previous pro-bono work with WNC non for profits in 2016 included events for MANNA Foodbank, The American Red Cross, Only Hope WNC, and Bread of Life.
The first organization to be the beneficiary of the series on Sunday, January 29 is Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, whose mission is dedicated to protecting and stewarding land and water resources vital to our natural heritage and quality of life and to foster appreciation and understanding of the natural world.
Each event will be held at The Block off Biltmore, in downtown Asheville 39. S, Market Street. Cam McQueen the owner of The Block off Biltmore is donating the use of the venue for all of the events. Tickets will be available at the door, the day of the concert. There is a minimum donation of $10 for each of the twelve events in the series. For more information about the concerts go to www.facebook.com/wncsolidarityconcertseries
The 2017 schedule of performers and non for profits:
Sunday January 29 – Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy
Act I – Tim Doyle Quartet
Act II = Aaron Price QuartetSunday February 26 – Center for Honey Bee Research
Act I – Richard Shulman Quartet
Act II – Dan Keller QuartetSunday March 26 – NAACP
Act I – Ruby Mayfield and Friends
Act II – Rhoda Weaver BandSunday April 30 – Our Voice
Act I – Al Schlimm Quintet
Act II – Chuck Lichtenberger QuartetSunday May 28 – Cherokee Seed Corn
Act I – Bill Berg Trio
Act II – Daniel Barber QuartetSunday June 25 – Dogwood Alliance
Act I – Jake Wolf Duo
Act II – Bill Berg TrioSunday July 30 – Youth Outright
Act I – Michael Jefry Stevens Duo
Act II – Wendy Jones QuintetSunday August 27– WNC Green Building Council
Act 1 – Ryan Barber and Friends
Act II – Drayton AldridgeSunday September 24 – Planned Parenthood
Act I – Tyler Kittle Quartet
Act II – Paula Hanke QuintetSunday October 29 – Helpmate
Act I – Rita Hayes Quartet
Act II – Jonathan Pearlman QuartetSunday November 26 –Quutopia
Act I – Ruth Cooney Quintet (Joni Mitchell Tribute)
Act II – Alina Quu and FriendsSunday December 31 – Homeward Bound
Special WNC Solidarity New Year’s Eve Concert
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