True Blue!
Jazz on the River:
By Kimberly Durden, Development Director – WFSS
Jazz on the River 2010, celebrating its fifth anniversary as the major communityoutreach event and fundraiser for WFSS 91.9FM, did not disappoint jazz fans. Months of preparation gave way to a spectacular evening on Saturday, October 9, at Campbellton Landing in Fayetteville. The weather was perfect and led about 1,200 people to come from as close as down the street to as far as Texas to enjoy this evening of jazz.
Trumpeter David Wells from West Virginia opened the show and immediately made the audience fall in love with his smooth style. His keynote song, “Strawberry Letter 22,” got everyone groovin’ as they reminisced about this Brothers Johnson hit. He was nominated for best new Gospel jazz artist by the American Smooth Jazz Awards and it was easy to see how he earned that nomination. Next, keyboardist Oli Silk of London, England, and saxophonist & Maryland native Art Sherrod, Jr., and guitarist Matt Marshak of New Jersey took the stage as a trio, each performing as lead while the other two backed them up. Their styles meshed seamlessly and they had the crowd on their feet with a little funk & DC “go-go.”
The show’s headliner, saxophonist Eric Darius of Florida, is no stranger to Jazz on the River. He was a special guest during the event’s second year, sharing the stage with Californian guitarist Joyce Cooling. People remembered his energetic style and showed much appreciation for the great performance that he gave. But, he brought the house down and got couples dancing near the stage area with Alicia Key’s hit “If I Ain’t Got You,” walking through the crowd and playing to adoring and enthusiastic fans.
Many sponsors helped to support this event including a grant from the FayettevilleCumberland County Arts Council, and support from PWC, Givens Performing Arts Center of Pembroke, Nationwide Insurance – Herb Townes Agency, GEICO Insurance – Caesar Blue Agency, Sam Johnson Cross Creek Lincoln Mercury, Friendly Reminders, Inc. of Raeford, Coca-Cola, Aramark Food Service, Washington & Pitts Law Firm, Dr. Ernesto Graham, Dr. George Cooper, Dr. Dennis Royal, Dr. S. J. Patel, Harris Wholesale, Duplin Winery of Rose Hill, and many more! The staff of WFSS, the NPR news & jazz station located on the campus of Fayetteville State University, is both humbled by and proud of the fine support received from each of our sponsors and benefactors.
From the great concessions offered by the host of vendors on-site to the beautiful view of the Cape Fear River behind the stage, Jazz on the River 2010, according to the comments of attendees, was definitely a “true blue” success!
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