New Philadelphia, Ohio - The final installment of the 2018 Smoking Summer Jazz Series will showcase homegrown musical and visual arts talent in a single venue to create a unique entertainment and fine-dining experience.

On Saturday, August 11, Tuscomusic will welcome Barflies to the stage at the Performing Arts Center to share their fresh spin on traditional jazz music.

“Barflies are the real thing, not some bad version of watered down elevator jazz. They’re not watered down, smooth, elevator jazz,” said Tuscomusic President Dr. Darren Galambos. “They are very reminiscent of later career Miles Davis, with a healthy injection of fusion, and they’re not afraid to journey out on the edge.”

In addition to the mesmerizing bassist Jeff Beitzel, the lineup includes veteran instrumentalist Clint Alguire on drums, a power-packed horn section featuring Eric Snyder and Greg Carter, the silky, soulful Eric Barkdull on guitar and the incomparable Duncan Crooks on keys.

In combination, they have generated five albums worth of new material every year for the past three years, and that pace shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

The sextet brought the audience to its feet during a Tuscomusic presentation at the Breitenbach Wine Cellars’ Toolshed earlier this year, and are sure to deliver another memorable performance to close out the inaugural series of Smoking Summer Jazz. And rumor has it, the young guitar virtuoso Blake Beitzel may be joining his father on stage, making it a night for the ages!

In addition to bringing great local music to the forefront, the upcoming event will also provide a platform to showcase the talents of area visual artists.

Patrons are encouraged to arrive as early as 5 p.m. to enjoy an art exhibition and reception in the lobby area, where a selection of Beitzel’s oil and mixed media paintings will be on display.

The performance begins at 7, and patrons will enjoy an up-close musical experience while savoring an elevated take on a traditional barbeque meal prepared by Chef Cameron Krahel.

The Tuscomusic Smoking Summer Jazz series is a TuscoTV television production and a project of Digital Marketing Group. Galambos noted the series is part of a larger project designed to create local social events where good music, food, and ambiance are a central focus.  

“We’re creating an atmosphere for folks to enjoy memorable nights out, where they can experience the amalgamation of sights, sounds and tastes normally not available in our area,” Galambos explained. “One would typically need to drive at least an hour minimum to experience the calibre of evening we strive to bring.”

“My goal is to create an outlet for great musicians to showcase their stuff, build awareness and revitalize an interest in live jazz, the only uniquely American genre of music. Fifty years from now, I want my grandchildren to enjoy this music every bit as much as I do today,” Galambos shared.  

For more information about Tuscomusic or to purchase tickets to the August 11 event, visit www.tuscomusic.com or @Tuscomusic on Facebook. For more on Jeff Beitzel and Barflies, visit www.jeffbeitzel.com.