POMCO Presents Jazz in the City

POMCO Presents Jazz in the City 2008 is returning to the Syracuse neighborhoods with four Thursday evening concerts in July and August. In existence since 2001, this inner city outreach series features the finest in local talent, local students, and great guest artists.

"We are once again proud to be the presenting sponsor for Jazz in the City. As a company that has called Eastwood home for 30 years, we're excited to again help this event return to the neighborhoods of Syracuse where it belongs," said Robert W. Pomfrey, POMCO president & CEO. "Strong, diverse neighborhoods are the backbone of our society, which is why events like Jazz in the City that expose people of all ages to new and different cultural experiences are so important."

City of Syracuse Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll added, "This event personifies jazz as uniquely American, with its diverse cultural influences and urban sound. We are pleased that our Parks Department can support Jazz in the City as it reaches out to a variety of neighborhoods during the summer."

Concert Series Lineup

The first P0MCO Presents Jazz in the City 2008 events takes place Thursday, July 31 at Dunk & Bright, 2648 South Salina St., featuring local R&B band, The BlackLites. Headlining this concert will be Will Holton, a smooth jazz sax protégé of Najee from the Queen City of Buffalo.

The second POMCO Presents Jazz in the City 2008 concert will be Thursday, August 7 at Skiddy Park on the west side at Oswego and Otisco Streets featuring a "Latin Dance Party" with La Familia De La Salsa Latin All-Stars dancers and the Afro-Cuban Rhythms of "La Rumba Cubana." The opening set of music will be with Eudy Fernandez Latin Jazz Quintet.

The third POMCO Presents Jazz in the City 2008 concert will be "Little Italy Block Party" Thursday, August 14 on North Salina Street's 700 block. The concert will feature Tony Monaco, "Hammond B3 Jazz Organ Wizard," along with special guests Joe Carello and Jeff Stockham of the CNY Jazz Orchestra.

The POMCO Presents Jazz in the City 2008 concert series concludes in Eastwood on August 21 at the POMCO parking lot across from Cummings Field. Syracuse sax phenom Evan Knight will be the special guest, along with Matt Marshak, an R&B, Funk, World Beat, Chill & Jazz Guitarist extraordinaire.

All POMCO Presents Jazz in the City concerts will run from 7-9 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Patrons should bring lawn chairs and umbrellas, and are encouraged to patronize vendors who will be present and other nearby establishments that will set up sidewalk dining for the events. No coolers or pets will be allowed, and no alcohol will be served.

For complete information on each concert, call 479-JAZZ or visit www.cnyjazz.org.