Melrose Temple Is Jazzed Up For June Concert

MELROSE, MA — Temple Beth Shalom on East Foster Street is gearing up for its annual jazz concert series.

Keeping Jazz Alive is slated to return to the downtown temple on Saturday, June 28 at 8 p.m.The concert is dedicated to longtime Temple member Irving Smolens, who was the event’s biggest fan and supporter up until his death in 2015.

This year’s edition of the event is slated to be headlined by bassist and Berklee College of Music Professor Bruce Gertz. Guitarist Sheryl Bailey, jazz harmonica player Mike Turk, drummer Gary Fieldman, and pianist Steve Hunt will join Gertz. Boston-based jazz singer Cassandre McKinley is returning to the concert. According to the temple, her return was requested by attendees.

“Cassandre McKinley is not only a singer, recording artist and composer, but also a voice coach and educator at Berklee,” Temple Beth Shalom leadership said in a statement. “As an artist, Cassandre channels a wide spectrum of genres… she has merged them into a singular sound that is uniquely hers.”

McKinley has released five solo albums in her career.

Tickets will be sold at the door on the night of the concert for $30, but can be acquired for $25 ahead of time. Keeping Jazz Alive is funded through the Melrose Cultural Council.