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Jazz on the Green returns

 Newsroom@DominionPost.com

Jazz on the Green returns Thursday to Jack Roberts Park in First Ward. Kicking off the evening, which is set for 4:30-9:30 p.m., is the Curtis E. Johnson group, CJ4.

Johnson is one of the busiest musicians in the area, performing with symphony orchestras, jazz combos and popular music artists. Johnson is an educator and has mentored hundreds of students from elementary to higher education levels.

The Jenny Wilson Quintet will take the stage following CJ4. With Jenny are her daughter, Ava Lintz on acoustic bass, and Kyle Andrews, on drums. Lintz is a graduate of Duquesne University and is the assistant principal bassist with the Akron Symphony. A native of West Virginia,  Andrews is working as a drummer in Philadelphia.

Also joining the quintet are two of the top horn players from Washington, D.C. On bari and soprano sax are Leigh Pilzer and Chris Battistone, on trumpet. Pilzer is a member of the Grammy-winning all-female band, DIVA.  Battistone has performed and recorded with numerous big bands and small groups.

Closing out the evening at will be a West Virginia favorite, the Bob Thompson Unit. Bob Thompson is the pianist and music director for the  West Virginia Public Broadcasting show, “Mountain Stage.” Members of  Thompson’s group are Ryan Kennedy, guitar; John Ingrahm, bass guitar; and Timothy Courts, drums.

Attendees should bring a lawn chair and provide their own food and beverages. The rain date for the concert is  July 22. The concert is free and sponsored by BOPARC and the City of Morgantown.

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