JAZZ & CLASSICS FOR CHANGE (JCfC)  has been busy this summer presenting concerts and outreach programs in the Berkshires and Columbia County.

We opened our season with a festive benefit concert with violinist Jessica Tong and cellist Ashely Bathgate and a jazz concert with George Brooks (Saxophone) and Utsav Lal (piano), both on the beautiful grounds of The Mount

in Lenox, MA. They were followed by two exciting family concerts at Mettabee Farm and Arts in Hillsdale, and also performed at Camphill Ghent, Camphill Village Copake and Camphill Triform. The concerts were met with enthusiasm and gratitude to full houses and audiences spanning all ages and all walks of life.

We are grateful to the musicians who joined us: violinist Emily Daggett-Smith, cellist Ashley Bathgate, and the young artists Liri Ronen (French Horn), David Bánóczi-Ruof (violin), Goni Ronen (tuba), William Pilgrim (cello) and Artistic Director Gili Melamed-Lev (piano). In addition, the full recital entitled Music of Hope, with cellist Ashley Bathgate and Gili Melamed-Lev, was aired on radio station WMHT in mid-August.

Programs and events for the spring and summer of 2022 are already in the planning stages and include concerts with Eugene Drucker (the founder and first violinist of the Emerson String Quartet), Roberta Cooper (cello), William Frampton (viola), members of the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, a jazz concert, and several Young Artists concerts. In the coming year, we expect to continue to grow and expand our audiences, extend our musical partnerships and performance venues, and offer you the finest jazz and classical music that transcends culture, environment, and time. 

As president of Jazz and Classics for Change (a 501(c)(3) charitable organization), I am proud of our progress and Herculean efforts in surviving a challenging year. Our heartfelt thanks go to our supporters, contributors and donors for their generous support and interest in our work. It is thanks to your help that these concerts were possible.

Won’t you please join us in helping us continue with our mission — to connect and to heal through music in our changing world — and open your heart to a deeper and more profound human experience through jazz and classical music? Please consider a donation to Jazz & Classics for Change. With your help we can make a tremendous impact on the lives of so many.

The members of the JCfC Board of Trustees thank you for your support.

BJ Johnson

Board President