Holiday Jazz Spectacular Dec. 9 at MPC

MILFORD, CT  - The Milford Performance Center presentsa Holiday Jazz Spectacular featuring Special EFX with Chieli Minucci, Jackiem Joyner, Cindy Bradley and Richie Cannata

Saturday, December 9th,  Doors open at 7:00 PM & Showtime at 8:00 PM   

This show is sure to be the best jazz concert you have seen this year, organizers promise. This talented group of headline artists features internationally recognized musicians. Guitarist, composer, and arranger Chieli Minucci is longtime leader of the Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group SPECIAL EFX, featuring Chieli Minucci, a major force on the jazz and world music scene for 35 years.  Besides writing and performing his own music, Chieli shares his guitar brilliance throughout the entertainment world. He has recorded and performed with many top artists, such as Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, Mark Anthony, Michael Bolton, Anastasia, as well as jazz artists Kirk Whalum, Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, Bernie Williams, Marion Meadows, Lao Tizer, Mindi Abair, Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley, Omar Hakim, and many others.

Special EFX is the host band, led by Chieli MInucci, who is also the band director for the show.  Longtime bandmate in Special EFX is local Jazz Legend, Pianist Jay Rowe. Rounding out the group is Cindy Bradley on trumpet from New Jersey, Jackiem Joyner on saxophone and Richie Cannata on tenor saxophone. Special EFX, Jackiem and Cindy all have songs at the top of Billboard Magazine’s Jazz charts. Richie Cannata just played the National Anthem at the opening playoff game at Yankee Stadium (vs Houston) to a standing ovation.

Cindy Bradley has blossomed into a powerful and charismatic presence on the contemporary jazz festival circuit, with 7 #1 Billboard singles along the way.  Jackiem Joyner became the saxman for Marcus Johnson. In 2007, under the Artizen Record Label Jackie released his debut album "BabySoul". The first single "Stay With Me tonight" featured guitarist Peter White and reached #17 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts.  In 2008, Jackie Joyner was featured on the cover of BMG magazine and he has been a regular at the top of the Billboard Charts at # 1 and 2 regularly since.

In the 1970’s & 80’s Richie Cannata performed and toured with Billy Joel.  The famous sax solos you remember from Billy Joel’s incredible hit songs were the iconic solos coming from Richie’s tenor sax. He has also worked with Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, the Beach Boys, Bernie Williams and the list goes on. He is also the music director for Bernie William’s All Star Band as well as the original Billy Joel Band, The Lords of 52^nd Street.

Don’t miss the show on Saturday, December 9th, at The Milford Performance Center. All shows at MPC help multiple local Charities.  This show helps Boys & Girls Club and Food 2 Kids.  Please see a list, on the MPC website, of kid friendly foods to bring and help fill our donation box.

Doors open at 7:00 PM & the Show Starts at 8PM. Refreshments, wine and beer is available. Tickets are available online at www.MilfordPerformanceCenter.org or at the door on show day.

About The Milford Performance Center

The Milford Performance Center is located at The Parsons Govt. Center in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.  MPC, a 501(c)3, is culturally dedicated to nurturing the arts in the community by creating new and exciting performance experiences, from Classic Rock to Classical Music, Jazz, Blues & Comedy to Country, Bluegrass, Folk and more.  Located at the intersection of W. Main Street & W. River Street (GPS- 53 W.Main St, Milford) and on the web at www.MilfordPerformanceCenter.org