Staff Report

CORAL GABLES —The Community Arts Program opens the 30th season of its summer concert series this week with an array of jazz and classical musicians that will please South Floridians.

This summer, today through August 13, in a quiet neighborhood within the Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ’s intimate, historic Spanish-revival style setting, concertgoers will have the unique opportunity to be awed and entertained by the music industry’s most talented and revered classical and jazz figures. These artists will perform and delight audiences with the Community Arts Program (CAP) 2015 Summer Concert Series.

The series has entertained more than 64,000 people since it began in 1985. The Series has grown into a valued tradition and, more recently, part of a Community Arts Program that also provides music education to children within its Conservatory for the Arts.

“The Community Arts Program (CAP) Summer Concert Series is a rare opportunity to hear world-renowned artists in the intimate and beautiful Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ,” says Shelton G. Berg, University of Miami Dean of the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music. “The CAP Conservatory for the Arts provides high-quality music education to children, many of whom would otherwise be denied access to the wonder of music and the beauty of the artistic spirit.”

This year’s first concert features Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) saxophonist Sherman Irby, who takes center stage with his all-star quintet: JLCO lead trombonist Vincent Gardner; Jazz at Lincoln Center favorite, drummer Willie Jones III; pianist Charles Craig; and bassist Dezron Douglass. Opening performers are the CAP Miami Jazz Institute All-Star Jazz Ensemble, fresh from its performance on Jazz at Lincoln Center stage and the 2015 Essentially Ellington Festival.

“We are very excited to again present a diverse and world-class line up of artists,” says Mark Hart, executive and artistic director of the Community Arts Program. “It’s an honor to welcome concertgoers locally, from across the state, and as far away as Europe; and rewarding to see the growth of our music education program for kids! In all, we’ve come to provide exceptional cultural and educationally enriching experiences for more than 3,000 children and adults each year.”

General admission tickets are $30 advance, $35 at the door (based on availability). Packages also are available. Order tickets by calling (305) 448-7421, ext. 153., or online at www.CommunityArtsProgram.org. All concerts are 8 p.m. Thursdays at Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, 3010 De Soto Blvd.