Renowned Jazz Guitarist Peter Bernstein to Headline Seacoast Jazz Society Event

PORTSMOUTH—

The Seacoast Jazz Society has announced that renowned jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein will headline the next SJS Jazz Appreciation Project event on Sunday, February 13 from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. at the Press Room on Daniel Street in Portsmouth, NH. The event will precede the weekly Sunday Jazz at the Press Room show from 6 to 9 p.m. Joining Bernstein will be pianist Ryan Parker, bassist Will Slater and drummer Brooke Sofferman.
Peter Bernstein is one of the most remarkable guitarists on the jazz scene today. Master guitarist Jim Hall has said of Bernstein “…He plays the best of them all for swing, logic, feel and taste.” Bernstein has been a long time member of the band of saxophonist Lou Donaldson. Bernstein has also played and recorded with a variety of jazz artists including trumpeter Jim Rotondi, saxophonist Eric Alexander and pianist/organist Mike LeDonne. LeDonne, Bernstein and Alexander along with drummer Joe Farnsworth have performed every Tuesday evening for over 10 years at the New York City jazz club Smoke. Their 2010 release on Highnote Records, “The Groover” was one of the top recordings for the year. Bernstein is also an in demand clinician and teacher around the United States.
The Seacoast Jazz Society’s Jazz Appreciation Project is an ongoing series where musicians hold pre-performance discussions to talk about how they approach the creative process as well as how they interact with each other. Previous clinicians have included Boston based saxophonists Allan Chase and Jerry Bergonzi.
The Jazz Appreciation Project event is free and open to the public. The normal Sunday Jazz cover charge of $10 applies for the evening performance. For more info, visit the SJS website at www.seacoastjazz.org.
Photo caption: Peter Bernstein headlines Seacoast Jazz Society Event on Sunday, Feb. 13. (Photo courtesy www.peterbernsteinmusic.com)

‘Overboard!’ Survival Story at the Dover Public Library

DOVER—

In early May of 2005, Captain Tom Tighe and First Mate Loch Reidy took on three passengers for a five-day voyage from Connecticut to Bermuda. The sailboat, Almeisan, offered offshore sailing and the adventure of a lifetime for these three extra crewmembers. On the fourth day, a massive storm struck, and washed the Captain and First Mate overboard leaving the three crew members on the boat rapidly being torn apart by the storm.
“Overboard: A True Bluewater Odyssey of Disaster & Survival” is the rousing story of the rescue by the US Coast Guard in a desperate, complex and dangerous pursuit. The Friends of the Library are pleased to present author Michael Tougias on Tuesday, February 15 at 7 p.m. in the library’s Lecture Hall. Tougias will highlight his talk with slides from the storm, the sinking sailboat, and the rescue mission to bring this story to life. He will also be accompanied by Ron Burd, the Dover resident who survived this devastating storm.
Michael Tougias is a lecturer and award-winning author of nineteen books. His work has been praised as “breathtaking, marvelous, and terrifying” by no less than the Los Angeles Times. He has researched dozens of survival stories and among his recent works are “Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival at Sea” about two Massachusetts fishing boats caught in a ferocious storm off Georges Bank, and “The Finest Hours,” the true story of the US Coast Guard’s daring rescue of two oil tankers off Cape Cod in 1952.
All lectures in the Friends of the Library’s Cultural Series are free and open to the public. Refreshments will follow the program. FMI: Call 516-6050.
Photo caption: (Courtesy book cover image of “Overboard”)

Chamber Names Board of Directors

ROCHESTER—
The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its recent elections to the Board of Directors beginning in 2011.
Officers for the organization include Chairman of the Board – Gerry Gilbert, Profile Insurance Group; Chair-Elect - Brian Hughes, Holy Rosary Credit Union; Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs – Patrick Hourihane, Hourihane Cormier & Associates; Vice Chair, Member & Community Development – Bruce Boudreau, Acme Rug & Upholstery; Vice Chair – Events & Fund Raisers, Judy Ouellette, Rochester District Visiting Nurse Association; Treasurer – Mary Henderson, Federal Savings Bank; and Immediate Past Chairman – Carl Potvin, Law Offices of Carl W. Potvin.
New directors recently elected to the board to serve a three year term on the board beginning in 2011 are: Mark Farrell, Laars Heating Systems, Patrick Gagnon, Granite Steak & Grill/Windjammer’s Seafood Restaurant and Rich Hilow, Edward Jones Investments.
Other members of the Chamber’s board of directors are Judi Angelo, Executive Properties; Vicki Beaudoin, Hawkins Safety Equipment; Rhonda Bisson, PSNH; Steve Cates, Waste Management; Jeff Dillion, Eastern Propane & Oil/Raspberries Hair Salon; Jeanne Grover, Jeanne A. Grover, JP; Thomas “T.J.” Jean, Frisbie Memorial Hospital; Steve Marcotte, Collins Sports Center; Christine McCluskey, MetroCast; and Darlene Towle, MLC Catering.
2011 Chairman of the Board, Gerry Gilbert of Profile Insurance Group and board members were formally introduced to the Chamber’s membership and the public at the annual Chamber Showcase & Annual Meeting Business After Hours at the Rochester Elks Lodge in Rochester.
The Board of Directors is responsible for governance, policy formulation, and the fiscal management of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.