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Festival has evolved since its earlyroots in church basement

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by Bianca Hooper Staff internJuly 15, 2010

This year's Monroeville Jazz Festivalwill play homage tojazz legends.

All artists at the event Saturday, except the Center of LifeYouth Jazz Band, which will open the festival, will do tribute

performances Mike Tomaro leading a Benny Goodman-style quintet; vocalistEtta Cox singing in the style of EllaFitzgerald, accompanied by John "Squirrel" Mosley as LouisArmstrong; and The Eric Mintel Quartet, with Donna Bailey,honoring The Dave Brubeck Quartet and the vocal work of

Carmen McRae.

"We thought it would be a new neat thing to do, so welooked at several artists and matched them with legendary

jazz artists," Monroeville Jazz FestivalPresident ChuckSummerville said.

The fest will partner with the Greater Pittsburgh Community FoodBank and the Central Blood Bank to support their causes.

It will take place at the Boyce Park Wave Pool north park ing

area. The festival gates will open at 3p.m., and the music willstart at 3:30.

Admission to the festivalis free with a donation of nonperishablefood or cash for the food bank.

A blood drive will take place at the fest from 3to 7:30p.m."I think itis important for as many people as possible to help the


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food bank do a nearly impossible job. That is a huge task toundertake.I encourage everyone to help them out," saidWDUQ, 90.5 FM, radio personality Bob Studebaker, 55, ofForest Hills, who again is host for the festival.

Officials of both the food bank and the jazz festival expect tocollect a truckload of food to continue the fight against hunger."Jazz lovers can go to a free jazz festival for groceries. It's afight against hunger," said Iris Valanti, director ofcommunications for the food bank. "That's the best thing aboutthe Monroeville Jazz Festival."

The Eric Mintel Quartet, a well-known group from easternPennsylvania, will perform songs by Dave Brubeck, including"Take Five" and "Blue Rondo la Turk," with Dave Mohn on

drums, Eric Mintel on piano, Dave Antonow on bass and NelsonHill on alto and soprano saxophone and flute.The quartet has performed across the country and inWashington, D.C., forPresident Clinton in 1988, said Mintel, ofPhiladelphia.

"We are four guys that have a passion for jazz, and we are tryingto make the world a better place through jazz," he said.This is the second time the quartet has performed at theMonroeville JazzFestival. The last time was in 2005.Mintel said the most enjoyable part of the fest for him is how itbrings the community together, "and doing that with jazz is theright direction."

"I love jazz because it's the only music that can reach so manypeople in so many different ways," he said.Cox, another performer, said she is looking forward to the

festival.

"I expect a good time for all because we have some really goodperformers. I know people will enjoy them," she said.

Cox said one number she will sing is "Our Love is Here to Stay,"with Mosley on trumpetand the Al Dowe Band."I am doing Ella Fitzgerald's music, but no one can imitate Ella,"she said with a laugh.Cox named Fitzgerald as one of her inspirations, along withNancy Wilson, her favorite, and Sarah Vaughn.


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