Live Jazz At Pearl Aids Scholarship Fund

Quietly — well, not that quietly; it’s music, after all — the Jazz Society of Fairfield County is making its mark.

The group’s mission is to ensure that “live, world class jazz music remains a key part of our area’s cultural life.”

But they do more than just play. Over the past few years the non-profit has raised funds to buy the famous Steinway piano from the historic Village Gate Jazz Club in New York; conducted workshops for area students; produced a benefit concert for Bridgeport’s Neighborhood Studios at the Bijou Theater, and established the Mickey Golomb Scholarship Fund, in honor of a former fan.

Now it’s time to toot their horn.

On Thursday, February 6, they’ll record live at Pearl at Longshore. All proceeds from CD sales, downloads and streaming will benefit the Golomb Scholarship.

The 6:30 and 8:15 p.m. sets feature an all-star cast: legendary pianist Andy LaVerne, 7-time Grammy-winning bassist Jay Anderson, fiery Mingus Big Band trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, first-call drummer Jason Tiemann, and famed “jazz rabbi” Greg Wall (saxes).

Wall — who doubles doubles as the spiritual leader of Westport’s Beit Chaverim — says the “energy, enthusiasm and response” of the audience will make the CD soar.

This is Jazz FC’s first live recording. Wall is proud that the project combines 2 of the group’s important goals: supporting jazz in the area by featuring world-class artists, and supporting music education for the next generation.

(JazzFC is raising funds to help defray the costs of recording, so more money can go toward the scholarship. Click here for information, and to contribute. All donations are tax-deductible.)