Jazz festival to benefit the Kim and Tim Donnelly Music Scholarship at the Black Rock Art Center

Jazz festival to benefit the Kim and Tim Donnelly Music Scholarship at the Black Rock Art Center

On Friday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m., a hot spring jazz festival arrives at the Black Rock Art Center, 2838 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport. Playing the Kim and Tim Donnelly Music Scholarship benefit concert are local bands, Still Life, The Fairfield University 5'O Clock Band and Brian Torff's Black Rock Horns. All festival proceeds will go to the Fairfield University-based scholarship.

The scholarship was created to honor the memory of the Donnellys, who were killed in their Fairfield Center jewelry store in February 2005. Funds donated assist Fairfield University music students. The Donnellys had a strong connection to Fairfield University. Kim was a former university employee, Tim attended Fairfield Prep and both of their children are alumni.

Still Life, is a local jazz-funk band with Jarryd Torff, Chris McClanahan, Billy Ruegger, Dennis Caravakis, all students from Fairfield High School and Fairfield Prep and Kurt Leon, a Fairfield University student; The Fairfield University 5'O Clock Band features Fairfield University students; and Brian Torff ‘s Black Rock Horns features some of the best NYC players, Tony Kadleck, Fred Maxwell, Ken Gioffre, John Fumasoli, Brian Charette and Thierry Arpino and guest artist, French accordion virtuoso Ludovic Beier. The group will perform music from their new CD "Life in East Bumblepuck."

The jazz festival was organized as a way to celebrate the lives of Kim and Tim Donnelly and to benefit a music scholarship in their name at Fairfield University.

"The Donnellys were close to all of us and their love for music is what drives us to continue these events in their name, and towards helping future music students at Fairfield University," said Brian Torff, director of Fairfield's Jazz and Popular Music Program.

Those who cannot attend are invited to donate to the scholarship fund. For more information, contact Dr. Laura Nash, 254-4000 ext. 2638 or LNash@mail.fairfield.edu or send a fully tax-deductible donation to The Donnelly Music Scholarship, Development Office, Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824.

Admission to the festival is $15 general public and $10 students with ID. Tickets are available online at the Black Rock Art Center website, www.BlackRockArtCenter.com. For further information call (203) 367-7917.

Posted On: 03-26-2007 10:03 AM

Volume: 39 Number: 193