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PLYMOUTH, MA Issued April 9, 2014… Plymouth’s Spire Center for Performing Arts proudly presents Plymouth’s first-ever annual Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival throughout Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 24 through Monday, May 26, at 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth.  The festival is the final event in their 2-month long opening celebration of concerts and performances, and will be held annually during the holiday weekend.  The Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival has been made possible through the generous sponsorship of Plymouth Rock Assurance Company.  Additional support has been made possible through the generosity of Eastern Bank.

Local jazz trumpet legend Johnny Souza hosts a wide variety of jazz inspired acts to launch Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival.  On Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 pm, the world renowned Rebecca Parris Trio performs in concert, along with Berklee-based group The Bebop Guitars and The Johnny Souza Quintet.

On Sunday, May 25 at 2:30 pm, high energy jazz act The Yasko Kubota Power Jazz Unit, the Greg Abate Quartet and The Amanda Carr Quintet appear, featuring interviews and live performances.  Several partner social and reception events are in the works with local companies and restaurants.

On Monday, May 26, from 2 to 5 pm, local musicians are welcome to take the stage with the house band during a Jazz Jam Session.  Drums, bass and piano are the afternoon’s performance mainstays while local instrumental and vocal musicians sign up at the door to join in on the act, hosted by Johnny Souza.  Attendees are welcome to perform or listen in from the audience.  Use of a drum set, digital piano, bass amp, vocal mics and house sound system will be available to all performers.

Tickets for the Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival are $25 per day for Saturday and Sunday’s performances.  Tickets for the Jazz Jam Session are $10 for audience members or performers.  Advance ticket purchases are recommended, seating is limited due to capacity.  Individual and corporate sponsorships are available, benefits include ticketing privileges and more.  The Spire is handicap accessible, public parking is available streetside, and in public lots in close proximity.  For more information, to order tickets online, or to learn more about The Spire, please visit our website at www.spirecenter.org, call (508) 746-4488, or follow Spire Center for Performing Arts on Facebook.

The Greater Plymouth Performing Arts Center, Inc. (GPPAC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2010, dedicated to performing arts and educational programs, supporting the vibrant arts community in the greater South Shore region.  The organization founded The Spire Center for Performing Arts, a town-owned venue to serve as a mecca for the arts, dedicated to showcasing music, theatre and dance performances, and arts education appealing to all generations from across the Southeastern Massachusetts region.  The Spire’s 225-seat performance hall features superior acoustics, custom state of the art lighting and sound systems and original period architectural details, offering patrons an exceptional performing arts experience.   The historic 3-story building resides in the epicenter of America’s Hometown, where the growing arts vibe infuses the historical and cultural district with creativity year-round.  The Spire’s lower level is dedicated to classrooms for performing arts education and theater troupes, a state of the art recording studio, rehearsal studios and community activities.  A vast variety of music performance and eclectic theater productions fill out the majority of The Spire’s yearly entertainment calendar, including concerts, master classes, theatre events, variety shows and music festivals, offering Plymouth a more diverse entertainment scene than ever before.  The Spire is located at 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth.  For more information, to order tickets online, or to learn more about The Spire, please visit www.spirecenter.org, call (508) 746-4488, or follow Spire Center for Performing Arts on Facebook.