Jazz For Jennings Continues Support For Child Care Center On June 25

A college prep program, college tours, a music program and national Scrabble tournaments—these were all made possible at the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center in the last two years because of its primary fundraiser, the Jazz for Jennings benefit concert.

The benefit is back for a third consecutive year on Sunday, June 25, at the Watermill Center, after it had previously taken a 10-year hiatus. The late ABC News anchor Peter Jennings founded the event in 1996 and it was held each year through 2005, the year he died. His widow, Kayce Freed Jennings, revived the concert in 2015 to continue raising money for the center.

“We really, really want people to know about the center. We want people to see it. They say, ‘Don’t just drive by it, stop by it,’” Ms. Jennings said, referring to a quote on the homepage of the center’s website. “We mean that. People should know about this place. They should see what goes on there because it’s something to be very proud of.”

These recent new additions to the center are only part of what the almost $500,000 in donations have gone toward. The proceeds have also helped expand the center’s existing after-school and summer programs, which serve Bridgehampton children with working parents—often with low incomes.

The outdoor event brings donors under the same tent as kids and faculty from the center for a day filled with live entertainment, food and art projects by kids in Young Artist Resident Project, an education initiative at the Watermill Center in collaboration with the child care center.

Each year, Ms. Jennings chooses a musician to be the event’s artistic director and bandleader, responsible for organizing the performing jazz band. This year she chose 23-year-old Evan Sherman after her friends raved to her about his impressive drumming talent. The New Jersey native started a 16-piece big band three years ago in New York City that plays at Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Rainbow Room, and takes smaller groups to events around the world.

The band he formed for Jazz for Jennings consists of alto saxophonist Patrick Bartley, pianist Julius Rodriguez, tenor saxophonists Ruben Fox and Julian Lee and guitarist Dan Rose, a returning Jazz for Jennings alum. He and his band members plan to bring a youthful energy to the concert that hasn’t been seen, or heard, in past years.

“The musicians that are coming are definitely of the younger age and of course I’m of younger age,” Mr. Sherman said. “I think when you look at the history of jazz and the history of other things, the young people who are maybe in their 20s often put a burst of new energy into whatever they’re doing. We’re all very serious and loving of the history and tradition of jazz, so that will still be there.”

The center’s executive director, Bonnie Cannon, explained that the proceeds from this year’s event will be used to continue expansion of existing programs. But she wants to provide more for the children. She said she has other ideas that could greatly benefit the center, but they could only be brought to fruition with additional funding.

“I would love to see us add an additional college prep counselor. I’d love to see us interface with more of the colleges and build relationships with more colleges,” Ms. Cannon said, adding that other academic opportunities could help the kids prosper, like developing a coding program and hiring more certified teachers to tutor kids in STEM—science, technology, engineering and math—to help the children on the path to college degrees in those fields.

The nonprofit also began a capital campaign to raise funds for the administration building— the center’s core that Ms. Cannon said is “in dire need of renovation.” She is hopeful work will begin next year, but the center needs significantly more funds in order to do so.

“There is infinitely more that can be done and should be done,” Ms. Jennings said. “It’s crucial that we continue to help the center raise money.”

Jazz for Jennings will take place on Sunday, June 25, at 12:30 p.m. at the Watermill Center on 39 Water Mill Towd Road in Water Mill. For more information and tickets, visit bhccrc.org. Tickets start at $500.