Schools Concert for Japan Relief Set for Thursday

The survivors of Japan’s triple disaster will be the beneficiaries of funds from a music concert of Novato middle school and high school students Thursday night at the Center on South Novato Boulevard.

and will host a special benefit show starting at 6:30 p.m. for the victims of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster that struck Japan earlier this month.

The event will feature several award-winning groups from MSA including the Jazz Choir, Jazz Band II, Jazz Band I and Jazz Combo I that all earned command performances at the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival last weekend. The Jazz Band 1 and Jazz Combo 1 have been selected by audition to perform along with six of the best high jazz groups from the U.S. and Japan at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival on April 2.

Thursday’s event also will feature the Jazz Choir, the Jazz Band and MSA vocalist Laila Smith, who has just awarded by Downbeat magazine as the top high school vocalist in the United States.

All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross Japanese Relief Effort, and a check will be presented to the Tomisato High School Jazz Band from Japan, which is scheduled to perform at the Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey on April 3.

The Quest is at 1461 S. Novato Blvd. A suggested donation is $10 for adults and $5 for students, but donating more is encouraged. For more information, call the Marin School of the Arts at 892-7915.