WV HUB

The West Virginia Jazz Society (WVJS) and Bridgeport Conference Center announce the second musical event in the popular "Jazz at Charles Pointe" series, the Appalachian Jazz Weekend (AJW).

The event, running May 20-23, is comprised of both free and ticketed performances, over three nights and days, in and around Bridgeport, West Virginia. The event will feature four jazz bands, each from a different part of the Appalachian region and each with a distinctive style. The bands include Salsamba, a Latin jazz quintet from Pittsburgh; The Blue Notes, a blues-based organ trio out of Charleston, West Virginia; Winchester, Virginia's Rendezvous, a sextet playing tributes to legends of jazz like Duke Ellington; and The Trachy/Lacy Collective, a modern jazz quartet from Raleigh, North Carolina by way of New York City.

The weekend's Marquee events are the evening feature performances offering live jazz and gourmet dining. These shows will be held at the nightclub-styled venue within the Bridgeport Conference Center (BCC). Scott Duarte, General Manager for BCC and Director of Charles Pointe Hospitality, the management company for the property says, "the response to our Winter Jazz Weekend was overwhelming. There's obviously a need for upscale evening entertainment and fine dining. We aim to continue to fill that need.

At this event, various styles of Appalachian Jazz will be featured along with gourmet Appalachian dining staples like Smoked Rainbow Trout, Caramelized Ramp Mashed Potatoes, Smoked Venison Sausage, and more."

The Jazz Ambassador Concert Series is comprised of free daytime jazz events held at Bridgeport High School and the First Methodist Church in Clarksburg.

"The Jazz Ambassador Concert Series is part of the WVJS's educational initiative," said Eric Spelsberg, WVJS President. "By bringing music to the community, we hope to deepen the appreciation for jazz throughout all age levels and help spread the word that great jazz music can be found regularly in this region."

Buffalo Wild Wings in Charles Pointe will be hosting the "Thursday Night Jazz Kickoff" on May 20th, which is a free, live show for restaurant patrons.

To round out the unique weekend events at BCC, ticketed pre-show musician's receptions and late-show jazz performances are offered Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as a Sunday Jazz Brunch featuring a duo from the band Salsamba. Weekend on-site lodging packages are available at the Wingate Inn, which adjoins the conference center, and Microtel Inn & Suites, which is adjacent to the conference center.

For a full schedule of events and show times, dinner menus, and more information, please visit Jazz at Charles Pointe. To purchase tickets, please call BCC at 304.808.3000.

Photo by Jill Stewart, Creative Exposure, Weston