Smooth Jazz for Scholars 2016 dates/lineup December 21, 2015

The time has come to reveal the who and when of keyboardist Jay Rowe‘s annual Smooth Jazz for Scholars benefit concert. This is the 14th year, the fourth since expanding to two nights.

Jay has the details in two separate Facebook posts. Here’s the first:

Reserved seating for the 14th annual Smooth Jazz For Scholars benefit concert are on sale now!! The shows will be held on 4/29/16 and 4/30/16. The line-up for 4/29 is Peter White, Marion Meadows, Brian Simpson and Matt Marshak. The line-up for 4/30 is Nick Colionne, Chieli Minucci, Nelson Rangell and Eric Darius. Tickets are $40 for each night and $70 for both nights. Purchase tickets by sending a check or money order payable to Smooth Jazz For Scholars Inc. to P.O. Box 3723 Milford, CT 06460.

And the second:

General admission Smooth Jazz For Scholars tickets are on sale now at smoothjazzforscholars2016.eventbrite.com. Friday 4/29/16 line-up; Peter White, Meadows, Brian Simpson, Matt Marshak. Saturday 4/30/16 line-up: Nick Colionne, Eric Darius, Chieli Minucci, Nelson Rangell. The show will be held at the Parsons Complex 70 West River Street Milford, CT 06460. showtime at 8p.m. both nights. Tickets are $40 each 1 night $70 both nights.

I opted to go to both nights this year, meaning I’ll miss out on the 2016 WCWP Hall of Fame Ceremony at LIU Post. For the second year in a row, the ceremony conflicts with the second night. It was a tough decision to make as I’ve contributed quite a bit to WCWP alumni events with my pictures, video, and audio. It’s times like this when I wish I had a helicopter. I could take it from Milford to Brookville, and then go back after the ceremony. I hope 2017 is conflict-free.

As for Smooth Jazz for Scholars, this is the first appearance for Brian Simpson, Matt Marshak, and Eric Darius. I wonder if Brian will play his keytar and walk through the audience with it. And will Marion do the same for “Suede,” if he that’s on the set list? Can we expect Nick to play “Rainy Night in Georgia” and end the show with the always-wild James Brown tribute? What will Nelson’s whistle song be? Those questions and more will be answered this April.

Friday, April 29
Peter White
Marion Meadows
Brian Simpson
Matt Marshak

Saturday, April 30
Nick Colionne
Chieli Minucci
Nelson Rangell
Eric Darius

Location:
Parsons Complex
70 W. River St.
Milford, CT 06460

Tickets: $40 for one night, $70 for two nights

Reserved seating tickets can be purchased by check (like I did) or money order payable to:
Smooth Jazz for Scholars, Inc.
P.O. Box 3723
Milford, CT 06460

General admission tickets can be purchased at smoothjazzforscholars2016.eventbrite.com.

Here’s my recap of the first night of the 13th annual SJFS.

5/4 UPDATE: Recaps of both nights can be seen here and here.