The Capital Jazzfest Big Jazz Jam fundraiser is set for 7:30 p.m. today in Jefferson City to raise money for the 25th Annual Capital Jazzfest in September.
The musical fundraiser will be held at The Mission, 915 E. High St., and is free and open to the public.
Band Pseudo Blue 2th and other local individual artists, such as Will West, Daniel Anderson, Monty Safford, Bruce Fleming, Kerry Cordray, Al Green and Artie Langston, will be performing.
Will West Music and Sound will provide some of the backline instruments and equipment.
"Jazz is America's truly original musical art form," said Jeff Bassinson, one of the Jazz Jam's organizers and president of Jazz Forward Initiative. The organization founded Capital Jazzfest and works to promote jazz music in Mid-Missouri.
There will also be a silent auction selling donated items from businesses and members of the public, including signed photos of musicians Trombone Shorty, Christian McBride and Jefferson City native trumpeter Hermon Mehari; a signed DVD of The Bel Airs' 2014 performance at Capital Jazzfest; four tickets to see The Bel Airs perform July 30 at The Mission; and jewelry from Kas A Designs. There will also be a raffle.
Capital Jazzfest takes several thousand dollars to have each year, Bassinson said, and organizers are hoping to make more than $500 from the Jazz Jam fundraiser this year so Jazzfest can stay free to the public. Other donations and grants help to fund the annual Jazzfest.
This year's Capital Jazzfest, in its 25th year, is scheduled for Sept. 10 in downtown Jefferson City. The lineup includes the University of Missouri Concert Jazz Band, Miss Jubilee, Marbin, Blue 88, and Dawn Weber and Naked Rock Fight.
Donations will go not only to Jazzfest, but also to the Jazz on Wheels program. The program sends jazz musicians to different school elementary and secondary schools in the area to show children a type of music they may never have heard. Bands visit schools to play for the students, teach them about the history of jazz music and tell them how their performing careers started.
"Jazz on Wheels has inspired success stories for some of the children," Bassinson said.