Jazz Pioneers Added to Lineup of In Concert for Cancer Sept. 8

Acclaimed jazz recording artists Jeff Lorber Fusion featuring Eric Marienthal have been added as the opening act for the second annual In Concert for Cancer 2012 on Saturday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum.

The concert will be headlined by funk legends and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Family Stone. Proceeds from the show will benefit cancer survivorship programs at Scripps Cancer Center.

Lorber helped pioneer the contemporary jazz genre with his band, Jeff Lorber Fusion, which released five albums in the late 1970s and early ’80s. He has also released 14 solo studio albums and has done extensive production and session work for artists such as Dave Koz, Herb Albert and Kenny G. He recently re-formed Jeff Lorber Fusion, which has released two additional albums since 2010. Lorber has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards.

Saxophonist Eric Marienthal started his professional career with famed New Orleans trumpeter Al Hurt and went on to win two Grammy Awards for his work in Chick Corea’s Elektric Band. Marienthal has released 13 solo albums in addition to his work with Jeff Lorber Fusion, Lee Ritenour, David Benoit and the Rippingtons.

Joining Lorber and Marienthal Sept. 8 will be Fusion bandmates Jimmy Haslip on bass, Gary Novak on drums and Oliver Leiber on guitar.

The Family Stone includes founding members of Sly and the Family Stone Jerry Martini on saxophone, Cynthia Robinson on trumpet and Greg Errico on drums. The three Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees and R&B Pioneer Award winners are renowned for blazing new musical territory by fusing soul, funk, rock and R&B genres.

Also performing as part of The Family Stone lineup on Sept. 8 will be Alex Davis on lead vocals and keys, Trina Johnson Finn on vocals, Nate Wingfield on lead guitar and Blaise Sison on bass.

The Family Stone will perform from its deep catalog of psychedelic funk hits, which includes “Everyday People,” “I Want to Take You Higher,” “Dance to the Music,” “Family Affair,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” “Sing a Simple Song,” “Stand!” and “Thank You.”

Ticket sales are now under way for the Sept. 8 In Concert for Cancer performance, at www.scripps.org/inconcertforcancer. General admission tickets are $50. Tickets for premium seating (rows two through six) are available for $75 and front-row seats are $100. Available for an additional $150 is a special preshow “meet and greet” with the band. The USS Midway Museum is located at 910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, Calif., 92101.

In Concert for Cancer is presented by Cjazz and Scripps Health, benefitting Scripps Cancer Center. Concert sponsors include the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, The Walrus 105.7 FM and the California Wine Club.

Learn more about Scripps Health, a nonprofit integrated health system in San Diego, Calif.