The Aiken Jazz Society is a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 music organization that has as its primary mission the preservation of live jazz music performances. Through a myriad of public programs and annual jazz festival, the Society seeks to foster a greater appreciation for jazz music and promote an awareness of the contributions of local musicians and supporters to the development and preservation of this indigenous art form. All while developing young artists.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONTACT Lynda Platt 803.641.0646 or plattaiken@gforcecable.com Karen Gordon 706.495.6238 or info@gardencityjazz.com   The 5th Annual Aiken Jazz Festival scheduled for Sunday, October 3rd, will open with local a capella group, South Boundary, as they trace the influence of jazz on  folk, spiritual, barbershop and contemporary jazz pieces as well as rock ‘n roll.    Bill Riehl, director of South Boundary, commented: “Though we are not known as a jazz act, the history of music that leads to jazz is an interesting story of its own with many twists and turns.  We will sing the jazz roots trail with some of the sidelights to set up our audience for the real thing – and do some vocal jazz of our own along the way.”    Joining South Boundary on stage will be Lauren Meccia, Director of Bands at University of South Carolina - Aiken (USCA), who will provide saxophone accompaniment on one number.  Ms. Meccia’s students from the USCA Jazz Band will be on hand to greet guests and also to experience two unique jazz performances from the evening’s musicians.   Returning to JazzFest this year from his current home in Charlotte is Armen Boyajian with his group, Air Apparent.  A former Augusta resident, Boyajian is well-known to local jazz fans as a frequent performer at the Partridge Inn, Pinnacle Club, several Augusta country clubs and jazz venues.  A classical violinist by training, Boyajian began exploring jazz during an improv class at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music.  He has continued to pursue his love of jazz with originality and style on both instruments as well as composing original music.   The October 3rd performance will be held at the URS Center for the Performing Arts (Aiken Community Playhouse) with a 7 PM curtain time.  Reserved seating is available at $25/ticket.  To charge by phone, call the Playhouse box office at 803.648.1438.  Tickets may also be ordered by mail with checks payable to Aiken Jazz Society to P.O. Box 254, Aiken, SC  29801.  Mail order tickets will be held at the Will Call desk for pickup starting at 6:15 PM on performance night.   The Aiken Jazz Society operates as a 501 (c) 3 organization and will donate a portion of the show’s proceeds to the vocal scholarship fund at USCA.  South Boundary has waived their performance fee in support of this donation.