JazzPA Announces Partnership with Columbia Gas

Bellefonte, PA - JazzPA (www.jazzpa.com) is thrilled to announce its sponsor partnership with Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania to present The Columbia Gas 2008 Summer Jazz Celebration on Saturday, July 26th in Downtown Bellefonte, PA. As lead sponsor for the Bellefonte event, Columbia Gas will fund all expenses for activities occurring throughout the day in the historic Garman Opera House Theatre, including the evening concert featuring trombonist Tom Malone, best known for his work in the original Saturday Night Live band, as an original Blues Brother and, currently, each weeknight on The Late Show with David Letterman in the NBC Orchestra with Paul Schaffer.

Also featured at the Garman's evening concert is Byron Stripling on trumpet and flugelhorn, known all over the U.S. for his work with pops orchestras, including the New York and Boston Pops, as well as his tenures with Wynton Marsalis's Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra and Dizzy Gillespie's band. Mr. Stripling is now the Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed Columbus (OH) Jazz Orchestra. Mr. Malone and Mr. Stripling will also present a one-hour master class Saturday morning at the Garman to share their wealth of knowledge with festival attendees and local high school students performing during the day. The full line-up of the day's performers and performances will be announced in late April. Visit www.jazzpa.com for more program information, directions and local accommodations.

“Columbia Gas is only as strong as the communities that we serve, and that's why we continue to make investments in the places we call home," said Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania president Terrence J. Murphy. “The Columbia Gas 2008 Summer Jazz Celebration is one more example of our commitment to the region." JazzPA is grateful to have the extensive support and sponsorship of Columbia Gas toward reaching its vision to be a leading jazz and jazz education organization in Central Pennsylvania. For more information relating to Columbia Gas and its 2008 JazzPA sponsorship, please contact Matt Pitzarella at 724-416-6313.

Visit JazzPA's website for more information on The Columbia Gas 2008 Summer Jazz Celebration and how you can be a part of it: www.jazzpa.com. JazzPA is celebrating our wonderful new logo, the commitment of the festival's artists and our partnerships with the Borough of Bellefonte and Columbia Gas. Thank you for your support of jazz in Central Pennsylvania - JazzPA! See you in July!!

JazzPA's Board of Directors: John Arrington, Lea Asbell-Swanger, Akemi Benton, Russell Bloom, Catherine Dupuis, Dave Fonash, Arthur Goldstein, Rick Hirsch, Bennett Hoffman, Allyson Hoover, Jeff Krauss, Richard Supina, Leslie Wagner, Paul Wagner, Tommy Wareham, Betsy Dupuis (Of Counsel).

About JazzPA
JazzPA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Pennsylvania, EIN: 20-8174452. All support is tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.