Grammy-nominated jazz violinst Regina Carter will perform eight commissioned works at the 39th Annual Penfield Jazz Fund Raiser Concerts on February 6th and 7th at 7:30 pm at the Fairport High School Auditorium. This will be Carter’s second appearance at the concert series, following a sold-out performance in 2002. Carter has received widespread critical acclaim for her “music that is wonderfully listenable, probingly intelligent and, at times, breathtakingly daring” (Time Magazine). She has recorded seven albums and, in 2006, was awarded the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship. She also has received a Distinguished Artist Award from the International Society for the Performing Arts. According to Penfield Music Commission Project Director Jim Doser, Carter will be the featured soloist on eight commissions written for Penfield and Fairport musicians to perform at the concerts. According to Doser, “[t]here are many jazz festivals around the country where students have an opportunity to perform with professionals, but few where students perform music that has been written just for them.” Carter will perform with jazz groups from both Penfield and Fairport, including jazz ensembles from Bay Trail Middle School and both high schools, the Penfield High School Jazz Choir and Studio Orchestra. Of special note will be a performance by the Penfield/Fairport Swingin’ Strings Ensemble, featuring Carter alongside one hundred string players of all ages from the Penfield and Fairport school systems. Check out this video of Carter playing with Ray Brown at his 75th Birthday.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students, available at the Penfield High School Music Office, The Bop Shop, Music and Arts, and the Penfield branch of Canandaigua National Bank, the official sponsor of the Penfield/CNB Jazz Series. All proceeds from these concerts will benefit the Penfield Music Club, funding the visitation of guest artists to visit the schools. For additional information, contact Jim Doser at 585-249-6737.