Local jazz musicians ready to make some noise
EAST GREENWICH— The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School’s Paul Murphy Ensemble of high school jazz and funk musicians won first prize in a competition modeled after the popular TV show American Idol. The winners of the annual Race to the Stage competition determine the opening acts for the annual free Summer’s End concert on Friday, Aug. 31 (rain date Sept. 1) at East Greenwich’s Eldredge Field. The gates open at 4; music starts at 5:30. This year’s Race to the Stage included 12 musical acts who competed at the Greenwich Odeum this past April. The evening culminated with R.I. Philharmonic Music School’s Jazz Band, who performed as the Tor Guides, taking the top prize. The Jazz Band is coached by Greg Takemoto and includes Jarret Allen, Lincoln, Emmanuel Despines, Barrington, Medeski Dow, Richard Evangelista, Providence, Pawtucket, Tor Kenyon, Barrington, and Max Riley, Coventry. The other three winning musical acts who will also perform at the Summer’s End concert are the Visiting Wine, a Boston-based duo; singer-songwriter Allison Giuliano, of Providence, and singer Jesse Tolppa, of East Greenwich. The RI Philharmonic Music School’s Jazz Band was chosen from a field of 32 as- piring performers who sent in online video submission. A committee reviewed the submissions and narrowed the field to 12 acts, who competed during Race to the Stage. The four judges for Race to the Stage included Megan Catelli, cellist and music teacher at Cole Middle School (East Greenwich); Katie Kleyla, vocalist with the New Providence Big Band; Bill McGrath, promoter of a music series; and vocalist-musician-songwriter Dana Wronski. Sal Sauco was the show’s emcee. Special thanks to the Greenwich Odeum and Stephen Caraccia of Main Street Music, for their key role in this event. Race to the Stage was created to identify new talent for the annual Summer’s End at East Greenwich’s Eldredge Field during Labor Day weekend. The winning groups are the opening acts for the headliners—the Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble. Summer’s End is an annual East Greenwich tradition since 1995, run by a volunteer nonprofit, Summer Arts and Festival Organization (SAFO). SAFO also offers arts scholarships to graduating seniors each year. Their goal is to support the arts in East Greenwich and “keep the music alive.” For more information, go to egsummersend.org or find the event on Facebook. The Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School encourages lifelong engagement with music through comprehensive music education and community partnership programs taught by Orchestra members and outstanding faculty. Quality, access, diversity and collaboration are the Music School’s core values. If you have any questions, call 401.248.7001 or email cartercenter@riphil.org.