Thursday, April 25, 2002

WILMINGTON, NC – “Blues in the Night: A Tribute to Johnny Mercer” is scheduled for 8 p.m., Saturday, May 4, in UNC Wilmington’s Kenan Auditorium.

This concert, a benefit for WHQR Public Radio, will include jazz vocal and musical performances of classic Mercer works such as “Moon River,” “The Days of Wine and Roses” and “Jeepers Creepers.” Guest artists include Stephanie Nakasian, Prince Taylor and Dr. Frank Bongiorno, saxophonist and chair of the UNCW Music Department.

Dr. Philip Furia, professor of creative writing at UNCW, wrote and will narrate the tribute to the Savannah-born songwriter. Furia is working on the first biography of Mercer.

Tickets to the tribute are $15, free for UNCW students with ID, and are on sale at the Kenan Auditorium Box Office. Call 910/962-3500. The Cape Fear Jazz Appreciation and UNCW Creative Writing Department are concert sponsors.