JAZZ IN THE CITY BRINGS THE MUSIC TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS:
POMCO returns as the Presenting Sponsor and Mayor Driscoll will be honored.
POMCO Presents Jazz in the City 2009 will be bringing the
music to the neighborhoods, on the Southside, Eastside and Northside of
Syracuse with 3 Thursday evening concerts in July andf August. In existence
since 2001, this inner city outreach series features the finest in local
talent, local students and great national guest artists.
Where and when?
The first of the three P0MCO Presents Jazz in the City 2009 events will take
place on the South side at Dunk & Bright.
James F. Bright, President of Dunk
& Bright, had this to say, “Dunk & Bright Furniture is excited again to host
this Jazz in the City concert. Last year we had a huge crowd and look
forward to another successful year.”
The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday July 30 and will feature local R&B band, The BlackLites. They will pay tribute to Michael Jackson and also
honor their former keyboard player Donald Ranson, marking the second year of his passing. Headlining the Southside neighborhood concert will be national recording saxophoist Teodross Avery. Teodross, who grew up in California and now resides in New York City, has played with artisits such as Aretha Franklin, Ramsey Lewis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Roy Ayers, Lauryn Hill and Mos Def. Teo has been on TV shows such as Saturday Night Live and American Idol. Dunk & Bright is located at 2648 South Salina Street.
The POMCO Presents Jazz in the City concert series will be in Eastwood 7p.m.
Aug. 6 at the POMCO parking lot across from Cummings Field, featuring
world famous Latin jazz flutist Dave Valentin. Dave has been a fan-favorite.
He was featured at Jazz in the City back in 2007 and 2005. Evan Knight, the
local Sax Phenom, will be a featured guest.
POMCO Presents Jazz in the City concert series will wrap up on the Northside at 7p.m. Thursday Aug. 13 at the North Salina Street’s 400 block. Featured
will be the Hammond B-3 organ burner, Vince “The Prince” Seneri. This is a
return for Vince as well, as he received rave reviews for his Northside
concert back in 2007.
Since then, Vince has released an award winning CD “The Prince’s Groove.”
Also performing will be special guest saxophonist Bill Easley. 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of Bill’s outstanding career as a musician.
All POMCO Presents Jazz in the City concerts are free and open to the
public. They are scheduled to run from 7 to 9 p.m. Patrons should bring lawn
chairs and umbrellas. They are encouraged to patronize vendors who will be
present and to patronize nearby establishments who will set up sidewalk
dining for the events. No coolers or pets will be allowed, and the
organizers will serve no alcohol.
The City of Syracuse is a major supporter with the CNY Jazz Arts Foundation for this cultural event.
This year, Jazz in the City will be honoring Mayor Matt Driscoll at the first concert on July 30th for all his support. In 2005, Mayor Driscoll helped bring back the Jazz in the City concert series with the CNY Jazz Arts Foundation after a two-year hiatus. The concert series since than has had 10 concerts in the neighborhoods of Syracuse, attracting more than 8,000 people. With several more concerts this summer, we expect a couple more thousand people will flock to the neighborhoods of Syracuse to enjoy some great Jazz and R&B. In turn, Jazz in the City wants to thank Mayor Driscoll for all his efforts with this recognition.
Speaking in behalf for the City of Syracuse, Commissioner for the Syracuse
Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs, Pat Driscoll said, “We are honored once
again to be part of the Jazz in the City Program; an annual event that
continues to grow in popularity each summer. The City of Syracuse is
grateful to the many sponsors of this program: the artists who are slated to
perform at these concerts and to the many residents who come out to support some of the best local talent that Syracuse offers.”
Van Robinson, City of Syracuse Councilor-at-Large added, “Just when you
think “things can’t get any better” 2009 “Jazz in the City” proves you
wrong. The cast of superb musicians for the 2009 series of “Jazz in the
City” presents a premier line-up of talent other cities would die for. This
phenomenal program, which brings America’s true musical art form to your
backyard, is absolutely amazing and it is free to the public. So neighbors
please come out and enjoy the summertime treat coming soon to your
neighborhood. Let’s give a big shout-out to Larry Luttinger, Executive
Director of CNY Jazz Central and the caring sponsors for making the 2009
“Jazz in the City” concert program possible.”
Returning as our corporate presenter is POMCO. Other Corporate sponsors are Dunk & Bright, Medco (new this year) and the Red Mill Inn. A Community
sponsor this year is Our Northside – Prospect Hill Development. Media
sponsors include Time Warner Cable, Power 106.9, WAER, Syracuse New Times, Eagle Newspapers, Syracuse.com, Table Hopping and CNY Latino.
POMCO has made a commitment for this urban outreach series as its presenting sponsor for the past several years. Established in 1978, POMCO is one of the largest independent professional benefits administrators in the country.
“POMCO Group is proud to be Jazz in the City’s presenting sponsor for the
third year and host to the second venue for the outreach series. Jazz in
the City showcases the Syracuse neighborhoods that we work and live in. It
continues to give us a great opportunity to enjoy good music with people
from different areas, different backgrounds and of different ages; it is an
event that is enjoyed by all,” said Robert W. Pomfrey, POMCO president &
CEO.
Another sponsor that has been a big supporter of Jazz in the City is Dunk &
Bright. Jim Bright, President of Dunk & Bright said, “This is Dunk &
Bright’s third year supporting and hosting the Jazz in the City concert and
we hope to build upon the success of the last two years. We feel blessed
that we are able to host it, again, and we are honored that so many guests
attend, and enjoy it. Thanks so much to the organizer, Steve Becker, and the
primary sponsor, POMCO.”
A new sponsor this year is Medco. Medco is a leading health care company and the world’s most advanced pharmacy(r), serving the needs of more than 60 million people. Erik Bagin, General Manager for Medco commented, “many claim music is good for the soul, but it is fact that music is good for your
health too. We are very proud to sponsor Jazz in the City, which promotes
great music and great fun for the residents of Syracuse. That’s a
prescription from which we can all benefit,”
“Despite the challenging economy, we’ve been able to produce another high
quality concert series for Syracuse’s most deserving neighborhoods. A warm
thank you is due to all of our loyal sponsors and new sponsors for their
belief in our mission for the urban community. A special shout out to our
major movers and shakers, especially Pat Driscoll, Van Robinson, and Mike
Atkins, for their unwavering support. We can’t do what we do without the
help of many folks like these who love the neighborhoods of this city,” said Larry Luttinger, Executive Director of the CNY Jazz Foundation,
For complete information on each concert, call 479-JAZZ or visit
www.cnyjazz.org. For additional details contact Steve Becker, Producer of
POMCO Presents Jazz in the City
Special thanks to POMCO
POMCO is one of the nation’s largest independent professional benefits
administrators assembling best-in-class services to offer comprehensive,
cost effective solutions for clients. Established in Syracuse, New York in
1978 POMCO Group has nine offices within the United States. Visit
www.pomcogroup.com for more information.
Thank you also to a new Sponsor, Medco.
Medco Health Solutions, Inc (NYSE: MHS) is a leading health care company,
serving the needs of more than 60 million people. Medco, the world’s most
advanced pharmacy(r), provides clinically driven pharmacy services designed
to improve the quality of care and lower total health care costs for private
and public employers, health plans, labor unions and government agencies of
all sizes, and for individuals served by Medicare Part D Prescription Drug
Plans. Through its unique Medco Therapeutic Resource Centers(r) and the
Accredo Health Group, Medco’s Specialty Pharmacy, the company is creating
innovative models for the care of patients with chronic and complex
conditions. Medco is a leader in the emerging field of personalized medicine
and in applying evidence-based protocols to elevate the practice of
pharmacy – a key element in reforming America’s health care system. Medco is ranked number 45 on the Fortune 500 list, with 2008 revenues of more than $51 billion. For more information about Medco, go to medcohealth.com.
