March 7, 2008 - METHENY MUSIC FOUNDATION KICK-OFF FUNDRAISING CONCERT, MARCH 7, 2008
In June 2007 the newly formed Metheny Music Foundation enabled two area high school students to attend the annual University of Missouri/Kansas City Jazz Improv Camp. "Awarding these scholarships is an important first step," said guitarist, 17-time Grammy winner, and Lee's Summit native Pat Metheny. And about the Foundation itself, Pat added, "This is an exciting endeavor with many promising possibilities."
On Friday, March 7, 2008, the Metheny Music Foundation will hold its first major fundraiser at Unity Village (near Lee's Summit) featuring the Pat Metheny Trio (Metheny, guitar; Christian McBride, bass; Antonio Sanchez, drums) along with special guests.
The concert begins at 8:00 p.m. at the Unity Activities Center. From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. light appetizers will be served, which is included in the $40 per person ticket price. There will also be a cash bar. For the concert only, tickets are $35 per person. Concert seating will be first come, first seated. For those traveling from out of town, the Unity Village Hotel is directly across the street from the Activities Center. Call 816-251-3540 or (toll free) 866-34-UNITY for reservations.
Pat's brother, trumpeter Mike Metheny has this to say about the Foundation:
"At the heart of the Metheny Music Foundation is the family's musical side, of course, but there is also the historical component. Our grandfather came to Lee's Summit in 1915 and was a prominent member of the community just as our parents have been over the decades. So those family roots are another important reason for this."
The organization's mission statement reads:
"The Metheny Music Foundation preserves, promotes, and perpetuates an informed appreciation for all styles of music, honoring the history of the Metheny family through four generations and the rich musical heritage of the city of Lee's Summit, the state of Missouri, and the surrounding region."
The March 7 concert will raise money for the Foundation's educational and historical endeavors, which include summer music camp scholarships for Lee's Summit high school students. Musicians from the Lee's Summit school district will be featured on March 7, and Mike Metheny will join his brother's trio as a guest.
Tickets go on sale December 1 at Cameron's in downtown Lee's Summit, 26 SE Third Street, or online by mail order or PayPal at the Foundation's website, http://www.methenymusicfoundation.org/
JazzReview.com
