More than 125 people spread blankets or relaxed in lawn chairs one evening last week on the lawn of the Roberts Vaughan Village Center in Murfreesboro as they listened to the Navy’s Fleet Forces Jazz Ensemble perform a variety of diverse styles, ranging from the timeless classics of big band swing to Count Basie and Duke Ellington to the exciting contemporary jazz literature of Bob Nintzer and Matt Catingub.

The concert was free, sponsored by the Town of Murfreesboro and the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce as a part of the town’s Downtown Summer Sounds series.

The concerts – there will be five more – are funded through a grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

Coming concerts will include:

July 9 – Shiloh Grass Band (bluegrass music)

July 23 – Harmonizing Jubilee (gospel music)

Aug. 13 – Cross Creek Band (variety)

Aug. 27 – Chowan & Murfreesboro Talent Night

Sept. 10 – Chowan Faculty Gala Recital

All the concerts will be at the Roberts Vaughan Village Center on Main Street, except the last, which will be at Turner Auditorium on the Chowan campus. (In the event of rain, concerts scheduled for the lawn of the Roberts Vaughan Center will be moved to the auditorium of the Jefcoat Museum.)

All concerts will begin at 6:30 p.m. and conclude at 8 p.m. except the final one, which will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Mark your calendar. Nowhere will you find better entertainment, a nicer setting for a concert, company nearly so good… or a better price!