Opening Night Of Sag Harbor American Music Festival To Feature Benefit Concert With Jazz Bass Virtuoso

Before Sag Harbor Village is overtaken by a magical day of free musical performances, the annual Sag Harbor American Music Festival is kicking off with a benefit concert featuring Jazz Bass Virtuoso Christian McBride and Friends. The festive evening will take place at the Old Whalers Church (44 Union Street, Sag Harbor) on Friday, September 26, 2014. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m.

McBride has been an influential and omnipresent figure in the jazz world for 20 years. While studying at Juilliard, he was discovered by alto saxophonist, Bobby Watson. Since then, McBride has accumulated an impressive resume including collaborations with the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, Sting, Carly Simon, Queen Latifah, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins, J.J. Johnson, Ray Brown, Milt Jackson, McCoy Tyner, Roy Haynes, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Isaac Hayes, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Lalah Hathaway, Don Henley, Bruce Hornsby, the Roots, D’Angelo, opera legend Kathleen Battle, bass virtuoso Edgar Meyer, the Shanghai Quartet, and the Sonus Quartet.

General admission to the kickoff concert is $25, and limited reserved seating is available for $45.

Also on Friday, the Sag Harbor American Music Festival is holding Mick Hargreaves at Media Mavens Mixed Media Art Show at Dodds & Eder (11 Bridge Street, Sag Harbor, 631-725-1175, doddsandeder.com). The exhibit opens at 3 p.m. and proceeds support WPPB.

For more information, visit sagharbormusic.org.