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Local jazz great Dorian Parreott and his All-Stars will kick off the Asbury Park Music Foundation’s free summer concert series when Music Mondays in Springwood Park returns on June 24.

Founded in 2011, the nonprofit works to advance youth music education programs, such as the Hip Hop Institute at the Monmouth County Boys & Girls Club’s Asbury Park location, in-school music classes at Hope Academy, after-school music classes at Our Lady of Mt Carmel School and in Asbury Park public schools. They also support Lakehouse Academy scholarships for ‘underserved’ youth and launched Beat Bus – a recording studio on wheels.

Music Mondays is one of three free concert series held weekly during the summer months; each with varying music styles.

The weekly Springwood Park event features diverse styles, including Soul, Funk, R&B, Hip Hop and Jazz, organizers said in a written statement. The Asbury Park Live series, held on Wednesdays, features emerging local bands while the Asbury Park Concert Band brings a big band sound to the Boardwalk every Thursday.

Below is a snapshot of the 28 free concerts being held through August’s end:

Music Mondays at Springwood Park

Now entering its fourth season, last year’s series attracted over 4,000 attendees during the 10 weekly shows. This year’s lineup features performance from local favorites like Waiting on Mongo, JT Bowen & the Mighty Kings of Soul, and the Soul Cruisers, with opening performances by the next-generation groups, all sponsored by the Asbury Park Music Foundation youth initiatives and scholarships through Lakehouse Music Academy.

Launching this year will be a farmer’s market provided by Community Greenmarket Organizers, in collaboration with Interfaith Neighbors and the Mayor’s Health & Wellness Committee to promote healthy food choices and living. Vendors will include Kula Urban Farm and Dean’s Market. Kula Café brings back their Monday night dinners with Chef Bilal with outdoor café seating and a to-go menu available for concert attendees.

The free concerts take place 6 pm Mondays June 24 to Aug 27 at Springwood Avenue Park, located between Atkins and Union Avenues. While free parking is available, attendees are urged to take advantage of public transportation, bike or walk.  Don’t forget the lawn chairs and/or blankets. In the event of rain, shows will move to the Asbury Park Transportation Center, announced via APMF Facebook page and Instagram.

The series sponsors include Interfaith Neighbors, the Spring Lake 5K, Asbury Park Press, Madison Marquette, NJ Natural Gas, Mullin Foundation, Arrow Limousine, Rockrete Recycling, Asbury Audio and the City of Asbury Park.

The lineup includes:

6/24 Dorian Parreott’s All Stars

7/1    Layonne Holmes & the Motor City Review

7/8    Louis Prima, Jr. Band

7/15 Mighty Kings of Soul with JT Bowen

7/22 Des & the Swagmatics

7/29 Al Covington Band

8/5    Waiting on Mongo

8/12 Funktion

8/19 Sandy Mack’s All Stars – Grateful for Motown

8/27 Sensational Soul Cruisers [Tuesday show]

Asbury Park Live

The series feature fan favorites and emerging bands, with opening sets by youth bands from Lakehouse Music Academy, many of which feature scholarship students supported by the Asbury Park Music Foundation. It runs 6:30 pm Wednesdays June 26 to Aug 28 at the Asbury Park Boardwalk First Avenue Green, located next to Watermark and MOGO.

Sponsors include Mogo, Watermark, Pepsi, Ansell Grimm & Aaron, TStone Pony, Lakehouse Music Academy, Asbury Park Food Commissary, 1^st Constitution Bank, Live Music Loyalty, Asbury Park Distilling, Makin Waves, Pucker, and the Crepe Shop.

The generosity of these sponsors not only provides free concerts but also a donation to APMF, organizers said. Last year, the sponsorships funded a Latin Experience Youth Music Camp to be held in the summer at Lakehouse Music Academy. This year, money raised from the summer series provides under-served youth from the community with scholarships to the special Songwriters Summer Camp. The two-week camp, operated by Lakehouse Music Academy, lends access to kids who would otherwise not be able to attend.

The lineup includes:

6/26 Sonic Blume / The Vaughns

7/3    Dark City Strings / Jackson Pines

7/10 Waiting on Mongo / Alexander Simone & WhoDat!

7/24 Black Suburbia Music Group / Blaise / Pamela Flores

7/31 Latewaves / Well Wisher / The Extensions

8/7    The Vansaders / The Tide Bends / Sunshine Spazz

8/14 Rachel Ann Dobken / The Mercury Brothers

8/21 Vendetta Rose / B. Wood & Company

8/28 Connor Bracken & The Mother Leeds Band / Shoobies /

Asbury Park Concert Band

Now entering their 74^th season, the renowned Asbury Park Concert Band features musicians from across the Garden State. The band plays thematic sets that includes Broadway, patriotic, and big band jazz music. Another feature is its Children’s Concerts, featuring accompaniment by talented students.

The free shows are held 7 pm July 3 to Aug 29 on the Asbury Park Boardwalk at Fifth Avenue near Convention Hall. This series is sponsored by Investors Bank Foundation and the American Federation of Musicians. A special seated section is provided, courtesy of Madison Marquette.

The lineup includes:

July 3  Patriotic and American Music

July 11   Music by the Numbers [Children’s Concert]

July 18   Jazz Night

July 25   Broadway on Parade [Children’s Concert]

Aug 1     TV Time

Aug 8     Dorian Parreott’s All Stars

Aug 15   Movie Time [Children’s Concert]

Aug 22   More Broadway

Aug 29   Music from Around the World /Salute to the Armed Forces [Children’s Concert]

For more information, visit About asburyparkmusiclives.org.

[Photos courtesy of the Asbury Park Music Foundation]

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