. NEWS RELEASE:

FOR RELEASE:                                            CONTACT:  Betsy Donnelly

August 9, 2005                                               Phone/email

KANSAS CITY MUSIC BLUES & JAZZ FEST WELCOMES MILITARY

200 Area Veterans and Active Duty Personnel to Receive Free Tickets

KANSAS CITY, KS. – Kansas City’s past and present military service men and women are getting a special Labor Day treat:   tickets to the Kansas City Music Blues and Jazz Festival, Sept. 3-4.

Show organizers are donating 100 concert tickets to the Kansas City Veterans Administration Medical Center and 100 to Whiteman Air Force Base.  The jazz fest is being held at the Woodlands Horse Track in Kansas City, Kans., and for those military persons who are disabled or require wheelchair access, the Woodlands provides ideal seating. 

“One of the nice things about the Woodlands is that it accommodates people in many different situations,” says Mark Valentine, festival founder and local musician.  “In fact, this is the first time the Woodlands has hosted such an event.”

The VA Center provides many programs to its Veterans that focus on improving not only life, but the quality of life.  Larry Wood, a recreational therapist for the Center says the concert is a wonderful outlet for their patients.

“Any recreational opportunity – especially something involving music -- is a real plus for our veterans of the armed services,” says Wood.  “There are many jazz lovers at our facility and we’re thankful that the Woodlands provides access for wheelchairs and persons who are disabled.”

Likewise, Lt. Candace Cutrufo, the officer in charge of internal information at Whiteman’s 509^th Bomb Wing, says their military personnel will welcome the entertaining break as well.

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Music Blues & Jazz Festival will provide jazz lovers with two days of continuous music and dozens of acts.  Some of the popular national and local artists include Billy Paul, Joanna Connor, John Lee Hooker, Jr., Chubby Carrier, Bobby Watson, Sons of Brasil, Big Woody Blues Review, Haji Ahkba, Millage Gilbert, KARMA, Old School Knights, Camp Harlow, Cotton Candy and Boulevard Big Band - and more.

Tickets are only $17.50 per day; children under 12 are free with a paid adult. The Woodlands offers concert-goers a covered grandstand, free parking and patrolled parking lots.

Show sponsors include Major Cadillac, Tommy Guns Vodka, 75th Street Brewery, Barley's, O'Dowd's Little Dublin, the Blue Moose Bar & Grill, Jerry Bait Shop, Jazz Louisiana Kitchen, Jostins, EKC Online, BNSF Railway, RawhideDirect.com, and Big Dude's Music City. Media sponsors include Magic 107.3, Hot 103 Jamz, and all the Kansas Cumulus radio stations.

Visit The Kansas City Music Blues and Jazz Festival Website >>

About The Kansas City Music Blues and Jazz Festival

For more information and up-to-date additions to the show, visit the Kansas City Music Blues and Jazz Festival website at www.kansascitymusic.com.

Message to the Press: To schedule an interview, please call Betsy Donnelly at 913.236.7757 or contact by email at betsy@kansascitymusic.com

Copyright 2005 : Kansas City Music Blues and Jazz Festival