Blowing Rock Jazz Society concert Sunday

By Jeff Eason

For nearly a decade, the Blowing Rock Jazz Society has been bringing to the High Country the best instrumentalists, vocalists and composers in the Southeast.

The society will once again wow area jazz lovers this Sunday with an all-star concert at the Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock.

Sunday’s concert will feature Toni Tupponce on vocals, Todd Wright on saxophone, Gary Marcus on piano, Elisa Pruett on bass and Brian Sullivan on drums. The show takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. and tickets are available at the door.

Toni Tupponce has been one of the pillars of the Charlotte jazz scene for the past decade, both performing in numerous live settings and giving back to the community as part of The Sign of The Times of Carolina, a non-profit group dedicated to music education and performance.

In 2007, Tupponce performed with an 18-piece jazz orchestra for the filming of the live concert Songs for Our Fathers, a two-hour performance featuring original songs and poetry dedicated to the African-American experience in 20th century America.

Todd Wright is director of jazz studies at Appalachian State University, and one of the premiere saxophonists in the Southeast. An accomplished improviser, musical instructor and jazz historian, Wright’s numerous albums include Begonia, Christmas Time Is Here, and Reflections. Over the years, he has performed with Patty Page, Herb Ellis, the Fifth Dimension, Rita Moreno and other jazz luminaries.

Many area jazz fans are familiar with bassist Elisa Pruett through her stint with the Christian Tambur Quintet. This 34-year-old jazz star is originally from California but has been playing in the eastern half of the country since attending the University of North Florida. Last year her own band, the Elisa Pruett Trio, opened for jazz legend Herbie Hancock at the Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte.

Blowing Rock Jazz Society spokesperson Fred Germann stated that the all-star quintet collected for Sunday’s concert will perform a mix of jazz standards, originals and some Latin-tinged pieces for folks who want to dance.

In two months the Blowing Rock Jazz Society will celebrate its 100th jazz concert. Plans are now being made to make this a special event for jazz lovers in the High Country. For more information, call the BRJS at (423) 727-0795.