WILMINGTON — The Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley Jazz Concert Series returns on Saturday, August 20, at 8 p.m., to Memorial Hall, 14 West Main St., with an evening of performances from the Great American Songbook to benefit The Gathering Place.
According to a news release, the concert will feature Chris Bakriges, piano; Bidi Dworkin, vocals; John Kozinski, guitar; Mark Dunlap, bass; and Denny Ray Pelletier, drums. Admission is by donation at the door. Food and drinks will be for sale.
The Gathering Place provides adult day and home care services to Windham County residents. Donations from this concert will help the organization continue its vital service to seniors and adults with disabilities who enjoy the benefits of the center and its services.
Bakriges, a pianist, composer, and educator, has served as musical director for this concert series since its inception seven years ago.
Dworkin lives in Southern Vermont, where she developed “Chorus for Kids” in the local schools while serving as an interim cantor in her synagogue. She has performed throughout New England and studied with Meredith Monk, Theo Bleckmann, Jay Clayton, Sheila Jordan, Dominique Eade, and Rhiannon.
Kozinski developed his guitar style with local groups on Long Island and studied with John Stowell. He performs in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.
Dunlap is a founding member of the Western New England Double Bass Society and chair of the Holyoke, Massachusetts, Cultural Council. He studied with Santi DeBriano and performs with artists including David Frain and the Interplay Jazz Band.
Pelletier developed strong roots in jazz and his own American Indian ancestry. The son of a jazz trumpeter, he studied with Les Harris, Sr., and has performed with Cleo Laine, Peggy Lee, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, JJ Johnson, Ronnie Laws, and for children's television shows, including “Zoom” and “Sesame Street.”