Jazz concert to benefit mental health group

PORT TOWNSEND — Val James and Friends will be the featured performers at 7 p.m. Thursday, a “make-up” performance for a snowed-out Candlelight Concert.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 609 Taylor St. Admission is a $10 donation.

The concert is a benefit for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization for people with severe and persistent mental illnesses, and their family members and friends.

Val James and her Friends will perform an array of jazz favorites from 1930s, ’40s and ’50s era films, including “I’ve Got the World on a String” and “The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea” by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler, “The Lady Is a Tramp” by Rogers & Hart and a Jobim selection, “Meditation.”

“I just can’t get those beautiful songs out of my head,” James said in a news release.

“Some of my favorite tunes will include ‘Our Love is Here to Stay,’ ‘Girl From Ipanema,’ ‘Shadow of Your Smile,’ ‘Cheek to Cheek’ and ‘But Not For Me,’ ” she said.

“Songs that will be performed at the Thursday concert will include, ‘I’ve Grown Accustom to His Face,’ and ‘Takin’ a Chance on Love.’ ”

James’ Friends who provide musical accompaniment for her jazz concert include Mark Schecter on piano, Bruce Cannavaro on bass, Tim Sheffel on drums, Rex Rice on trombone and Jack Lambton on guitar.

For information, call 360-774-1644 or email rdanpurnell@msn.com.

More in Entertainment

Melody Sky Weaver, left, and Sally Franson at the Big in Sweden book launch at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, July 2024. (James Weaver)
Novelist to read from ‘Big in Sweden’

City staffer contributed to inspiring the book

Olympic Theatre Arts to host improv show

Imagined Reality Improv will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday. The… Continue reading

Concerts in the Barn to present gala concert

Concerts in the Barn will present a gala concert at… Continue reading

Drama workshops to be offered in Port Townsend

Saltfire Theatre will begin The Cauldron, a new series… Continue reading

Singer-songwriter to perform at Concerts in the Woods

Jesse Terry will perform at Concerts in the Woods at… Continue reading

April Surgent’s “Portrait of an Ocean” will be part of the Water Connects Us All exhibit that is the inspiration for Thursday’s Civic Minds and Creative Hearts presentation.
Port Angeles Fine Arts Center to host presentations

The Civic Minds and Creative Hearts series will present… Continue reading

Mountain Gazing in the Sunset by Ailo Saari of Port Angeles placed first in the Art category for youths 0-9.
Tidepools Magazine winners announced

The 2025 Tidepools Magazine contest winners in the categories… Continue reading

Joe Euro will perform at Candlelight Concerts on Thursday.
Euro to play at Candlelight Concert series

Joe Euro will perform during a Candlelight Concert at… Continue reading

Music, stage performances set for this weekend

Music and stage performances plus a seed exchange highlight this weekend’s scheduled… Continue reading

Jodi Ericksen is the core teaching artist for Aging Creatively, Northwind Art’s program for people with memory loss, along with their caregivers. Ericksen is pictured at Northwind’s Jeanette Best Gallery in Port Townsend. (Diane Urbani/Northwind Art)
Aging Creatively program is for people with memory loss

Aging Creatively, a new free art program especially for… Continue reading

Rachel Lee Priday will be the guest soloist for the Port Angeles Symphony’s first concert of spring on Saturday. (Lisa-Marie Mazzucco)
Soloist to play with symphony Saturday

UW music professor to join Port Angeles group

Luke Bulla will perform at the Palindrome on Sunday.
Bulla to perform at Palindrome on Sunday

Rainshadow Concerts will present Luke Bulla in concert at… Continue reading