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Nick Colionne, Bethany Pickens and Corey Wilkes to
play Jazz in the Park for Charity 2010
State Rep. Al Riley presents annual fundraiser benefiting
regional not-for-profit organizations on Sunday, August 8
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Olympia Fields, IL—State Representative Al Riley announced that Nick
Colionne, Bethany Pickens and Corey Wilkes will play this year’s Jazz in the Park for Charity
(JITP) at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 8, at Bicentennial Park in
Olympia Fields. The event benefits regional not-for-profit
organizations. In addition to live jazz performances, the
afternoon will also feature food from local restaurants and a silent
auction. Tickets are $50.00 per person. To purchase tickets
or for more information visit jazzintheparkforcharity.com.
“It is my pleasure to host Jazz in the Park for Charity,
which attracts over 1,000 attendees annually,” said Representative
Riley. “This is an excellent opportunity to help local
not-for-profit organizations, while showcasing the beauty, culture and
hospitality of Chicago’s southern suburbs.”
The Artists
Nick Colionne
blasted onto the national contemporary jazz scene in 2003 and his
career has been in ecstatic overdrive ever since. His
breakthrough single, “High Flyin’,” hit #2 on the Radio & Records
airplay chart. In 2007 he was named “International Instrumental
Artist of the Year” at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. This year
Nick has been honored by the American Smooth Jazz Awards with two
nominations “Guitarist of the Year” and “Entertainer of the Year.”
Bethany Pickens
began her keyboard training under the watchful tutelage of her father,
world class jazz pianist Willie Pickens, followed by more classical
training at the American Conservatory of Music. She has performed
at various jazz and music festivals such as, The Chicago Jazz Festival,
Jacksonville Jazz Festival and Ibiza Jazz Festival in Spain. Bethany
has performed duo concerts with her father at Symphony Center, Ravinia,
The International Association of Jazz Educators, and the Steinway
Society.
Corey Wilkes,
a young lion with a roar being heard in several music genres, began
playing trumpet at the age of 10, honed his talent at the Berklee
College of Music and landed in the heart of the Chicago jazz club scene
in 2002. His soulful notes can be heard gracing a variety of projects
including DJ sets by logic, Osunlade and Josh Deep; tracks on Hidden
Beach's unwrapped Vol. 4, as well Kahil El Zabar's Ascension Loft
Series.
Not-for-profit organizations benefiting from this year’s event include:
Grand Prairie Services Foundation; Jassac Charitable Foundation; Josephine
Elizabeth Seaton Franklin Foundation; The Link & Option Center; The
South Suburban Chicago Chapter of the Links, Inc.; Theta Mu Lambda
Charitable Foundation; and Trinity Services, Inc.
In 2008, State Representative Al Riley assumed the position of Chairman for Jazz in the Park for Charity,
which has established itself as one of the signature summer events in
Chicagoland. Historically, it has featured the best in local and
nationally renowned jazz entertainment, and samples of cuisine from the
finest restaurants in the Southern Suburbs. Founded by civic
leaders and arts patrons Martin and Lois Anthonisen, who hosted the
event in their backyard for years, JITP has grown into an event that
attracts over 1,000 jazz fans annually. Proceeds from Jazz in the
Park for Charity 2010 will benefit local not-for-profit organizations.
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Nick Colionne
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Corey Wilkes
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Bethany Pickens
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