Boothbay Region Land Trust

Spectacular jazz and spectacular views combine for a local cause

Tue, 08/19/2014 - 8:45am

If jazz is America’s “only true art form” then Thursday evening’s performance by the Marcus and Riza Printup Quartet at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard confirmed the artistry.

Playing to a sold out audience of more than 200 with expansive sunset harbor views behind them, the Quartet performed at the Boothbay Region Land Trust’s “Jazzing Up The Shipyard” fundraising event.

Printup has been a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis since 1993, and has made several recordings including “Desire,” his most recent work with his wife, harpist Riza Printup. He has also appeared on-screen in the movie “Playing by Heart.”

When asked what he enjoyed about performing in the local venue, Printup explained, “When we play in the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra we can have audiences of two or three thousand people. Here, it’s my own group and we get to play for a smaller audience.”

Printup said that he loves to come to the Boothbay area and that the shipyard offers great acoustics and a good audience.

The jazz event committee was chaired by Pauline Dion. According to BRLT Executive Director Nick Ullo, this is the second jazz at the shipyard event on behalf of the Land Trust in as many years. (The first jazz event was held in 2012.)

“We lowered the ticket price this year to $75 in hopes of attracting a broader audience,” Ullo explained.

In addition to the concert, 18 area restaurants provided food for the guests, which ranged from canapés to lobster rolls and oysters. A silent auction offered a mix of 24 items including artwork and day lilies and an overnight stay at the Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse.

Marcus Printup not only performed, but also contributed two tickets for a jazz performance at Lincoln Center next month. Kathleen Jones, chair of the auction committee explained that her team started in May to solicit items for the evening.

According to Ullo, the financial goal for the evening was to generate a net of $18,000, which would be used to support the Land Trust’s work of maintaining hiking trails and ongoing education and outreach.