Matawan Blues & Cruise Night 2024: Music, Classic Cars, and Community Fun
After a rainout in May, the third annual Matawan Blues & Cruise Night took place on warm but breezy night in July. It was presented by The Matawan Economic Development Council with the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation again providing the music. This night, the band was only the second act to use the new portable stage recently purchased by the town and they did a great job of breaking it in! Long time member Sharon Lasher and her Flashers tore through a pair of hour-long sets consisting of jazz, blues, pop and rock, to the delight of those in attendance. That’s not an easy task, unless you have some of the finest musicians on the Jersey Shore (or anywhere else, for that matter) behind you. With much in demand drummer Lee Finkelstein (Tower of Power, Original Blues Brothers), Keyboard ace Jeff Levine (Joe Cocker, The Chambers Brothers), guitarist P.k. Lavengood (John Eddie) bassist extraordinaire, Paul Avrutin and home town girl Diane Doolittle on sax and flute, they delivered on all accounts. The band is working on a Bonnie Raitt/Linda Ronstadt tribute this fall, so the night was sprinkled with familiar tunes from both, and Sharon has the voice to ensure these will be special shows.
There were plenty of classic cars, food vendors and crafters, mixed in with local service organizations, to ensure this would be a fun outing. Thanks to local resident Jay LoBosco, husband of our former board member, Tina, for all his efforts in making this a successful night. Hope to see you all here next year.