On Saturday, February 13, the Sycamore Music Boosters is excited to welcome headliner the Pete
Benson Trio, Mr. Myers Trio led by Todd Donnelly on the Steel Pan Drums, Sycamore High School (SHS) Jazz Ensemble, SHS Jazz Choir, and a SHS String Ensemble as they host its 8th annual night of jazz and classical music entitled “A Note to Remember”. This fundraiser will be held at Blumen Gardens in Sycamore from 7:00pm – 11:00pm. Additionally, four talented musicians will be introduced and honored as our 2016 SHS Music Hall of Fame inductees. An elegant, sweet and savory hors d’oeuvres buffet and coffee bar will be included along with a raffle and silent auction of hundreds of gifts and prizes generously donated by local businesses.
Sycamore High School alumni, Pete Benson, has been one of Chicago’s premiere Hammond B3 jazz organists and in-demand pianists for over 15 years. As a member of the long running Saturday night staple, the Sabertooth Organ Quartet, Pete can be heard weekly at the legendary Green Mill Lounge. His recent performances with famed Chicago guitarist George Freeman include opening the Chicago Jazz Festival in 2014, performing and recording with drummer Bernard Purdie at the Green Mill and a trip to Poznan, Poland to headline the Made in Chicago Jazz Festival. Pete has been voted one of the top jazz organists for the Down Beat Rising Star Critics Poll four years running. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in classical piano performance from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the DePaul University School of Music. Pete was honored to be inducted into the Sycamore Music Hall of Fame in 2014 and is proud to be a part of the large music community that Sycamore helps foster. At the Note to Remember event, Pete will lead his piano trio which features two of Chicago’s most respected musicians, bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer George Fludas.
Todd Donnelly is a singer/songwriter that plays steel pans and percussion. He is also the leader and founder of the band Mr. Myers, which he started 35 years ago while studying percussion at Northern Illinois University. Todd performs as a solo artist and with Mr. Myers throughout the Midwest, with
occasional adventures in other exotic locales such as Las Vegas and the Caribbean. Mr. Myers plays “Caribbean Rock”- a mixture of Reggae, Calypso, Jimmy Buffett/Beach music, and their own originals. They have played thousands of shows ranging from Clubs to Festivals, as well as Corpor ate and private events.
The 2016 Sycamore High School Music Hall of Fame inductees will also be introduced at this event. Two Sycamore High School Alumni have been chosen as Legacy Award recipients and two community members will be receiving the Advocate Award; inductees will be announced soon. A separate induction ceremony including the unveiling of the updated 2016 trophy case is scheduled for February 13 in the Sycamore High School Auditorium at 2:30pm; the public is invited to attend and admission is free to this ceremony.
Sponsors for A Note to Remember currently include Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists, Prairie View Animal Hospital, Dr. Todd Anderson – Oral & Maxillo Facial Surgeons of Northern Illinois, Austin’s Violin Shop, Casey’s, Law office of Riley Oncken, American Midwest Bank, Bryan & Julie Kruskol, InVironments Magazine, LePrint Express, New Values Magazine, Shaw Media – the Daily Chronicle and the Midweek, PianoForte, Jamrah Middle Eastern Cuisine, and Nat’s on Maple. Sponsorship opportunities are still available; please see our web site to download the sponsor form at http://www.SycamoreMusicBoosters.com.
A limited number of tickets are available for this adult-only event at $30.00 per person which includes musical entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, coffee bar, silent auction and raffle. A cash bar will also be available. Seating opens at 7:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now at the Sycamore High School main office, Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists 3266 Resource Parkway office in DeKalb, Kar Fre Flowers, Shawn’s Coffee Shop, via E-mail at Note2Remember@gmail.com or by calling 815.751.8388. For more information, please visit http://www.SycamoreMusicBoosters.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
The Sycamore Music Boosters is a group of families and friends of students enrolled in music education classes in Sycamore Schools. This fundraiser will aid in the purchase of instruments, uniforms, and scholarships for Sycamore’s talented musicians.