Jazz and Blues Festival Hits Long Branch's Great Lawn Aug. 24

From Patch blogger Jennifer Smiga:

The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation’s (JSJBF) Summer Series of Festivals ends on a good note at the Tenth Annual Long Branch Jazz and Blues Festival on Saturday, August 24th from 12:00 -10:00 p.m. on the Great Lawn at 28 McKinley Avenue in Long Branch, NJ. 

Thousands are anticipated to turn out for the day's exciting lineup of musicians, food, crafters and activities for the entire family - followed by fireworks. The festival is rain or shine, free to the public, dog friendly and all ages are welcome to attend. The Long Branch Festival is the final event in the Foundation's Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Summer Music Series, which were held in Asbury Park and Point Pleasant Borough. 

Each year, sponsor donations from the events raise essential funds for the nonprofit Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation’s operational expenses. Sponsors include Comcast, Investors Bank, and Alex and Ani. 

The Long Branch Festival’s headliner is The Rob Paparozzi AllStars. Frontman for The Blue Brothers and recently Blood, Sweat and Tears, singer, and harmonica player New Jersey's Rob Paparozzi has been a blues performer since 1967. But Rob is far from being strictly a blues musician, as he plays a wide range of music, ranging from rock to blues to jazz to pop. This versatility is reflected in the long and remarkably diverse list of major artists Rob has worked with, including B.B. King, Dr. John, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Carole King, Roberta Flack, Culture Club, Cyndi Lauper, Randy Newman, Jimmy McGriff, and James Galway. Jazz and blues fans will love the mix of strong national and local musicians. 

Newcomers to the sounds of the genre will love the variety and the chance to hear something fresh, says organizer Dennis Eschbach. "I have people who've never listened to jazz and blues say, 'Oh my gosh this is great music! I've never really heard it before." But even more than the music, Eschbach said, it's the location of the festival that makes it a destination. 

"At concerts you're stuck in a field somewhere. Here you've got the beach, you can walk on the boardwalk, get something to eat and listen to great music. It's just great." 

Long Branch Jazz and Blues Festival Lineup Headliner:

• The Rob Paparozzi AllStars 1:00- 1:25 p.m.
•  Gary Wright 1:30- 2:30 p.m.
• The Blind Tellers 2:45- 3:45 p.m.
• Dorian Parreott Jazz Ensemble 4:00- 5:00 p.m.
• Bob Del Rosso Band 5:15- 6:15 p.m.
• The Long Gone Daddies 6:30- 7:30 p.m.
• Al Chez & The Brothers of Funk 7:45- 9:15 p.m.

The Rob Paparozzi AllStars About The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation Founded in 1987, the nonprofit Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation remains dedicated to its efforts to preserve, promote and perpetuate jazz and blues on the Jersey Shore through performance and education. 

Visit www.jsjbf.org for more information. Connect with the JSJBF on Facebook at Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festival and Twitter @JSJazzBluesFest. For information on becoming a festival sponsor or crafter, contact Doris Lazur at 732-933-1984 or sponsors@jsjbf.org.