Savannah Music Festival (SMF) is delighted to host Winter Bash: An Evening to Benefit Savannah Music Festival on Saturday, January 25 at 5:30 p.m. at Plant Riverside District, located at 400 West River St. in Savannah, Ga.

This winter wonderland-themed event will feature a private concert by acclaimed jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker at District Live as well as a sumptuous supper in the Salzburg Ballroom. Proceeds from Winter Bash will support Savannah Music Festival’s free education programs for area youth and acclaimed year-round artistic programming.

Whitaker, who has been blind since birth and is often referred to as “the next Stevie Wonder,” is a musical prodigy who has been called a “genius” by legendary jazz artist Jon Batiste. His musical journey began at the age of three, when his grandfather gave him a small keyboard. At the age of 10, Whitaker served as the opening performer for Stevie Wonder’s induction into the Apollo Theater's Hall of Fame. Over the years, this talented jazz artist has captivated international audiences and has performed at top venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and the Apollo Theater. He has been featured on “60 Minutes” and enjoyed notable performances on “The Today Show,” “Ellen” and “Showtime at the Apollo.”

“We invite everyone to join us at Winter Bash for an amazing night filled with incredible music and the spirit of community,” said Savannah Music Festival Executive Director Gene Dobbs Bradford. “At Savannah Music Festival, we believe music has the power to transform lives. Thanks to the generous support of our donors and the greater Savannah community, we’re able to provide free music education for more than 10,000 local students each year, present a world-class festival every spring and offer live music year-round by top artists.”

Hosted by Event Chair Rhegan White-Clemm, Honorary Chair Tim Coy, SMF Executive Director Gene Dobbs Bradford and SMF Artistic Director Ryan McMaken, this fabulous evening will kick off with a lively reception, featuring an open bar, winter-inspired drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres. Guests will enjoy a performance by students from the SMF Jazz Academy, an after-school jazz program that is free to Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) students in grades 5-12, and will be invited to participate in a fast-paced paddle raise led by Auctioneer Erin Kienzle of Giving4Good. Attendees can bid on a curated gourmet dinner for 10, prepared by SMF Executive Director Gene Dobbs Bradford.

Winter Bash tickets are currently available at savannahmusicfestival.org or by clicking HERE. Tickets are $400 per person and include complimentary valet parking, entry to the pre-concert reception, a delicious dinner, a bid paddle and admittance to the exclusive performance by Matthew Whitaker.

The presenting sponsor for Winter Bash is Beyond Exceptional Dentistry. For more information about Winter Bash and sponsorship opportunities, please contact SMF Development Manager Kat Clark at 912.234.3378 ext. 106 or [email protected].