By, John Dammacco
The 3rd Annual JSJBF/Sandy Mack Fundraiser and Membership Drive was held at Salty’s in Belmar on March 10. It was a great success. We had almost 9 hours of live music all donated by the member bands/musicians of your JSJBF. The event was kicked off by Tom Baldino, JSJBF President, and EMCEE Danny Coleman of Danny Coleman’s, Rock on Radio. The opening band was led by Jay Sweet of Sweet Music Academy with 9 up-and-coming youth jazz musicians. Great soloing, great band playing from a live sound stage. Great job. Next was Vintage Vibe Tribe. High energy, scorching performance by a truly tight band. Singer Casey Sky, Jay Sweet on guitar, Bobby Boyd on drums and Justin Lee on bass delivered with power and style. Tad Schaefer and the Blue HiWay followed with Tad Schaefer vocals and guitar, Angelo Mancuso on bass, Dave Becker on drums and Tommy Labella on sax delivered a full set of swing and rockin’ blues. Parker Street and Company Featuring Dave Fields lit the stage with virtuoso guitar licks and tons of energy. Raul Diaz-Corbo on Drums, Dennis Matusche on the keys, Kenny Thorstenson on bass and the incomparable Dave Fields on guitar. The crowd was then treated to a 3-song barnburner set by Billy Hector, blues guitarist extraordinaire, Paul Avrutin on bass and Bobby Boyd on drums. The Chris Plunkett Band kept the joint jumpin’ with Chris Plunkett on vocals and guitar, Mike Hogan on guitar, Paul Avrutin on bass, Bobby Boyd on Drums, Tommy Labella on Sax and Dave Miller on Trombone.
We turned the rest of the night over to co-sponsor of the event Sandy Mack, who brought Billy Walton on guitar, Mike Flynn on guitar and Eric Safka on keys, Destinee Monroe vocal along with William Paris on bass and Dave Moore drums … a full lineup of great players.
Mixed in with all that great live entertainment was our raffles, 50/50’s, silent auction and a great time. A special shout-out to all the volunteers, Carol Conway, Joe Grillo, Dave and Cindy Ciullo, Ms G, Tammina Reason Smith, and Joanne Baldino
Some photos by John Posada
