"The Art of Jazz"

Come Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with us at the Butterfly Fine Arts Gallery in Red Bank

April is Jazz Appreciation month as declared by the US Congress and supported and promoted by the Smithsonian Institute. While we here at the Jazz Arts Project feel that it’s important to appreciate jazz year round, this year we will be presenting an exhibition of jazz-related visual art in association with the Butterfly Fine Arts Gallery in Red Bank.    To kick off this month-long art show, we will be hosting an opening night benefit gala on April 2nd. In addition to the wonderful paintings, photographs, sculpture, and memorabilia, we will be offering a special musical performance of world class jazz along with fine wines and  hors d'ourves.

The exhibition will include original art works from local and national artists including oils, watercolors sketches, fine art prints, photography and sculpture.  Many of the works will be available for sale although there will be jazz related exhibition pieces as well. Also on display will be significant jazz memorabilia on loan from The Institute of Jazz Studies - Rutgers University Library such as a Miles Davis trumpet and Pee-Wee Russel’s clarinet, original artwork by Pee Wee Russell and Mary Lou Williams, and famous photographs and prints of numerous jazz legends.

Proceeds for this opening soiree will benefit the Jazz Arts Project's educational workshops, master-classes, and programs for gifted and talented middle and high school students throughout the region . Last year, the project launched the Jazz Arts Academy, a series of three ten-week sessions during the school year which are designed to augment the music education and cultural enlightenment  of area youth.  This program focuses on adding knowledge of improvisation, small ensemble playing, and jazz history and general musicianship to the studies of young musicians, and has thus far proved a resounding success.

Like all of our educational initiatives, however, the Academy offers free tuition to those in need.  At risk and underserved students benefit in remarkable ways from these programs and we have a commitment to include anyone in the program regardless of whether they can afford the tuition.  We must therefore seek outside funding and support to continue this important work.   Remember that by attending this event, you will not only be ensuring yourself a wonderful evening, but you'll also be supporting the education of area students in their pursuit of America's only truely indigenous music,  jazz.

The event is open to the public, but you must have a ticket to attend. To purchase a ticket to the event, click on the registration link below and follow the instructions. If you would prefer, you may call or email the Jazz Arts Project at (732) 746-2244 or info@jazzartsproject.org for more information or to purchase a ticket by check. We thank you in advance for your patronage and look forward to seeing you on this wonderful occasion!