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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JAZZ & BLUES FEST CELEBRATES 20th ANNIVERSARY IN RED BANK

Red Bank, NJ - Scores of volunteers are busy making preparations for the 20th Anniversary of the Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival, which will take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – June 2 - 4, 2006 next to the picturesque Navesink River in downtown Red Bank’s Marine Park. The “listening committee” of the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation (JSJBF), which sponsors this popular free event for music lovers, is making their final selections from the hundreds of performing groups that have applied to play in this, one of the largest free jazz & blues festivals in the country. Contracts are being signed for 27 different bands, nationally known bands, as well as top NJ musicians who will be the headliners on the Marina Stage. Exciting new bands, the up-and-comers, will be playing on the Riverfront Stage; and, on the Harbor Stage, an expanded educational program will feature performers, workshops, and special presentations on the history and fun of this improvisational art form that many call, “America’s Classical Music.”

As a part of the Festival’s 20th Anniversary, nationally known designer (and local resident) Mike Quon, has created a new festival logo that will be used on the stages and T-shirts, and to help decorate Marine Park for the 100,000 to 150,000 jazz and blues lovers who will attend on the weekend after Memorial Day.

The new logo of the Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival, designed for its 20th Anniversary by nationally known graphic artist and local resident, Mike Quon.

Many sponsors help to fund the festival so that it can remain free to the public, and the Board of JSJBF thanks all the sponsors, including this year’s title sponsor, radio station,CD 101.9, and presenting sponsor, Washington Mutual Bank.

The festival actually began as a food festival back in 1980 when local restaurateurs, Rick Bott of Merri-Makers caterers, Danny Murphy, Lou Vaiti, Dieter Bornemann, John Sharp, Wayne Fisler (among many others), offered unique samples of the finest from their kitchens. Initially called RiverFest, it evolved over time into the Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival, which, in addition to its musical offerings, features international food, area artisans and family activities. This year also includes a new paddle-wheeler boat that will be available (for a fee), which will take festival-goers for relaxing trips on the river.

Red Bank’s Mayor, the Honorable Edward McKenna, said, “This is one of the best events in the entire state during the whole summer. The quality of the music is the major factor, but I also love it because it’s a great family event. I meet so many people, people who come from all over the Northeast. I end up going to hear the music several times a day.”

Area businesses benefit from all the visitors to Red Bank. Studies have shown that the economic impact of the Festival is approximately $4 million.

JSJBF produces and manages a wide range of additional events throughout the year, including a new series at the Red Bank Woman’s Club called “Reckless Steamy Nights,” and a “Blues by the Beach” series, presented at Ocean Place Resort & Spa in Long Branch. Coming up on April 30, 2006 will be the annual charitable fundraiser called Harpin' Help (featuring various blues harmonica players), an event that has successfully raised funds for various charitable organizations.

For more information about the Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival, go to www.redbankfestival.com or call 732-933-0541. For information about JSJBF and a full schedule of upcoming events, go to: www.jsjbf.org

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