Following an excellent season kickoff over the holidays, the second concert of the 2017-2018 Jazz Brew Fundraising Concert Series will take place this weekend. The SEMM Foundation and Jazz 98.5 FM, WSAX-LP proudly present international saxophone superstar Jeff Kashiwa, along with Columbus’ own smooth jazz stars NexLevel, on Saturday, March 3rd, at 7pm in the Walter Armes Learning Center Auditorium at Whitehall-Yearling High School located at 675 S. Yearling Road in Whitehall. Tickets are available here. Earlier in the day, Kashiwa, a longtime member of the Rippingtons and founder of the Sax Pack, will lead a free Jazz Brew Jazz Music Clinic, also at Whitehall-Yearling High School, from 12pm until 2pm. Sponsored by lead sponsor Yamaha Corporation with additional support from community partners, the clinic is open to all students, enthusiasts and professional musicians, and each attendee receives a complimentary ticket to attend the concert that evening. Clinic registration and more details are available here. Keep reading for full details from WSAX-LP, and get ready for a great evening of smooth jazz supporting Columbus’ jazz radio station.
SEMM FOUNDATION AND JAZZ 98.5 FM, WSAX-LP
PRESENTS
THE JAZZ BREW FUNDRAISING CONCERT
FEATURING INTERNATIONAL SAXOPHONIST JEFF KASHIWA AND NEXLEVEL
Columbus, OH – SEMM Foundation and Jazz 98.5 FM, WSAX-LP radio station proudly presents the 2nd installment of The Jazz Brew Fundraising Concert Series at the Walter Armes Learning Center Auditorium at Whitehall-Yearling High School located at 675 S. Yearling Road in Whitehall.In the second installment of the Jazz Brew Fundraising Concert Series scheduled for Saturday, March 3rd at 7:00pm, the series will feature Jeff Kashiwa, the international jazz recording superstar, longtime member of the Rippingtons and founder of the Sax Pack, along with another appearance of Central Ohio’s renowned jazz group, NexLevel.
Tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices range from $15 to $35 with special prices for Seniors, Students and VIP members. Tickets and more information are available online at www.myjazzbrew.com or www.eventbrite.com. Ticket purchases help support SEMM Foundation’s music education programs, the construction and operations of their new 24 hour non-commercial Jazz 98.5 FM, WSAX-LP radio station, with proceeds also benefiting the auditorium improvement campaign for the Walter Armes Learning Center Auditorium at Whitehall-Yearling High School.
The Walter Armes Learning Center Auditorium at Whitehall-Yearling High School has been the primary host venue for the Jazz Brew concerts featuring stellar Straight-Ahead, Smooth Jazz, Jazz Fusion and Classic Big Band performances by National and notable Local “Homegrown” musicians hailing from the Central Ohio area.
Seattle native, Jeff Kashiwa became known as one of the most compelling young saxophonists in contemporary jazz during his first year with The Rippingtons. Kashiwa performed hundreds of shows all over the world and appeared on many of the band’s classic recordings. Having established himself in the 1990’s as one of the most diverse saxmen in contemporary jazz during his decade long tenure with The Rippingtons, Kashiwa’s instincts led him to more dynamic endeavors through his solo career. Kashiwa now has nine CDs released under his own name and has continued to record as a guest artist with many other artists as well. In 2004, Kashiwa founded The Sax Pack, a trio of saxophone headliners, featuring himself, Steve Cole and Kim Waters. The group released two CDs together and charmed audiences with their Rat Pack style reparte’ in tours across the U.S. and abroad.
In 2006, Jeff reunited with The Rippingtons for their 20th Anniversary Tour and continues to record and tour with the group as often as his busy schedule will allow. In addition to touring with The Sax Pack and his own group, Kashiwa has expanded his career to include the realm of music education, teaching various courses through the music program at Shoreline Community College in Seattle.
His recent CD, Let It Ride, featured a host of great musicians in the world of Contemporary Jazz; Russ Freeman, David Benoit, Chuck Loeb and Tom Schuman of Spyro Gyra. Let It Ride has been in the top 4 Best Sellers in Smooth Jazz on Amazon.com. Jeff recently released his newest CD, Fly Away.
Joining Jeff Kashiwa, fresh off their spectacular Jazz Brew 3rd Annual Fundraiser performance with Paul Taylor and their summer Jazz At The Amp performance is our own national recording group, NexLevel, known for wowing and amazing audiences around the country, doing hits from their new CD Midnight Blue.