Jazz up your weekend

You’ll have a beachin’ time at the Newport Performing Arts Center’s live, double concert event, “Beachin’ Jazz: A Sizzling Summer Serenade,” this Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11.

The concerts are presented as a fund-raiser for the upcoming annual Oregon Coast Jazz Party. Musical director Ken Peplowski has performed with artists such as Benny Goodman, Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney and even Madonna. He has headlined at venues across the country, including the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall and the Blue Note. For Beachin’ Jazz, he has gathered together powerhouse performers, including Dave Captein on bass, Todd Strait on drums, Mike Horsfall on vibraphone and piano and Dan Balmer on guitar. Both sessions will feature Peplowski, Captein and Strait. Saturday’s session will also feature Horsfall, and Balmer will perform Sunday.

“I can’t think of a better way to kick off the summer than with our good friend Ken Peplowski,” said Jason Holland, executive director of the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts. “He always gathers incredible musicians, adds his wit and humor and mixes it all together to create a party every time!”

The ever-popular Oregon Coast Jazz Party will return to the shores of Nye Beach for its 19th year from October 6 to 8, and tickets will be available to the general public on June 15. To see this year’s lineup of musicians, go to oregoncoastjazzparty.org.

This weekend’s concerts begin at 7 pm on Saturday, June 10, and 2 pm on Sunday, June 11, at the Newport Performing Arts Center, located at 777 W Olive Street. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-2787.