The 7th-annual Salem Jazz and Soul Festival, held at Salem Willows the weekend of Aug. 17-18, was an unprecedented success due to the contributions of hundreds of individuals and organizations.
More than 6,000 people attended the two-day, free concert and they all contributed to a family-friendly, safe weekend in a beautiful setting with perfect weather.
Thanks to all the individuals and organizations who pitched in to make this happen — sponsors, volunteers, musicians, audience members, Berklee College of Music, Salem State University, all city departments, Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Rep. John Keenan, Ellen Talkowsky, dedicated volunteers, residents around the Willows, Salem Trolley, the Hobbs and Campbell families, and especially Wire 4 Hire, Inc.
You all helped us forward our nonprofit mission of producing free concerts and donating to music education causes.
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is run by an 11-member volunteer board of directors and I’d like to personally thank them for all their hard work.
We look forward to next year!
Larry Claflin Jr., volunteer executive director, Salem
Jazz and Soul Festival