Disorder At The Border Jazz Event To Benefit Bridgeport Music Education

BRIDGEPORT — On Saturday, September 27, a collective of world-renowned jazz experts called Disorder at the Border will come together at Black Rock Art Center to benefit jazz education in the City of Bridgeport.

Disorder at the Border bandleader and famed tenor saxophonist Bennie Wallace recently founded Backcountry Jazz to present world-class jazz musicians through intimate acoustical concerts, workshops and master classes. The organization develops events for young audiences in communities that have limited access to live, quality jazz music. Bridgeport will be the first city to benefit from Backcountry Jazz’s outreach program.

This event is being produced by Backcountry Jazz, along with Action For Bridgeport Community Development, Inc. (ABCD) and Black Rock Art Center. ABCD focuses on promoting appropriate institutional change and enabling over 35,000 poor across a six-town area, including Bridgeport, to become self-sufficient through a range of services.

Tickets are $25 each, and revenues will cover the costs of the concert and future jazz  programming for Bridgeport youth.

When asked what drove him to bring his program to Bridgeport, Mr Wallace explained, “Study after study has proven that learning instrumental music, particularly improvised music, increases skills and aptitudes in many other academic and social pursuits, as well as lowering youth drop-out and crime rates. Bridgeport students deserve the same music education opportunities as the more affluent communities in Fairfield County. It is our hope to help this situation.”

Mr Wallace also pointed out that this type of event enriches the entire community, not just students. Much has been made of the importance of the arts to economic development, and the goal for Mr Wallace and his partners will be to add a jazz element to the emerging arts scene in Bridgeport.

Doors will open at 7 pm, and the performance will start at 7:30. Information and tickets may be found at BackCountryJazz.org.

Black Rock Art Center is at 2838 Fairfield Avenue; telephone 203-367-7917.