MILFORD – The Annual “Smooth Jazz for Scholars” concert has been set for Saturday, April 30, 2011 and will be held at the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium at the Parsons building. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m.; the concert begins at 8:00 p.m. Now in its 9th year, world renowned jazz musician and local resident Jay Rowe is excited about this year’s event and the fact that the concert will once again be held in the Parsons auditorium. Rowe donates a portion of the ticket sales back to the Milford Public Schools Music Dept. as a way to thank the educators who were there at the beginning of his musical career. He is a graduate of Calf Pen Elementary and Joseph A. Foran High School. Since its inception, Rowe has donated more than $37,000 to the Milford music program. Rowe will be joined by fellow artists Marion Meadows, Chieli Minucci, Ken Navarro and saxophonists Jeff Kashiwa(from the world renowned smooth jazz group the Rippingtons), Steve Cole and percussionist Steve Scales who has performed with the Talking Heads, Tina Turner and Michael Bolton. The group is looking forward to a wonderful night of great music, great fun and a great benefit to the school system. “I am so pleased to be able to bring a show of this quality to our small, beautiful city – it gives residents the opportunity to see a first-rate performance right here in town, without having to travel to New Haven, Hartford, or NYC,” Rowe commented. “And, of course, I am so pleased to be able to contribute in this way to our schools. To bring awareness and attention to the importance of music education is tantamount, for me.” Rowe has performed and recorded with the elite in the world of jazz throughout the world and has played in many major jazz festivals across the U.S., and around the world, including Portugal, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Norway, Germany, Holland, South Africa and Indonesia. As a solo artist, he has recorded and released five CDs, “A Dream I Had” (1994), “Jay Walking” (1997), “Laugh Out Loud” (2001), and “Red, Hot and Smooth” (2006) and "Live At Daniel Street"(2011). “I am pleased to be back at the Parsons auditorium. Our long time supporters of this event are familiar with the site, and they are comfortable there – and the venue is perfect for our program” Rowe commented. Tickets are $40 each and are available at Café Atlantique, The Canvas Patch, Milford Fine Arts Center, Arcioulo Shoe Store and Villa Gourmet. For tickets and information, you may also visit www.jayrowemusic.com or call (203) 874-4150.