The Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation’s (JSJBF) Summer Series of Festivals kicks off with the Point Pleasant Borough Jazz & Blues Festival on Saturday, June 18, 2016 from 12 -8 p.m. at Riverfront Park, located on the corner of Maxon Avenue and River Road in Point Pleasant Borough, N.J.

Thousands are anticipated to turn out for a day of live performances by talented jazz and blues musicians, food, crafters and sponsor exhibits, a beer and wine garden, and activities for the entire family. The festival is rain or shine, free to the public, dog-friendly and all ages are welcome to attend.

Other festivals in the series will be held in Asbury Park on Saturday, July 23, 2016 from 12 – 8 p.m. at Bradley Park, located at 5th and Ocean Avenue, and in Long Branch on Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 12 – 9:30 p.m. at The Great Lawn on the Boardwalk, located on Cooper Ave. Each year, sponsor donations from the Summer Series of Festivals raise essential funds for the nonprofit Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation’s operational expenses. Sponsors this year include Comcast, Lagunitas, Hunterdon Distributors, and 95.8 FM the WRAT.

“Our award-winning summer festival has been entertaining jazz and blues fans on the Jersey Shore for more than 25 years,“ said festival organizer Dennis Eschbach. “We attract thousands of visitors of all ages, and in recent years the festival series has introduced new generations to the genre. Thanks to the support of our musicians, volunteers, sponsors and host towns, we’re able to keep jazz and blues music alive on the Jersey Shore.”

Point Pleasant Borough Jazz & Blues Festival headliner is the Billy Hector Experience featuring the Midnight Horns. Billy Hector, known for his soulful style, will take the stage with the Midnight Horn, for a classic blues set sure to get the audience on its feet. The Billy Hector Experience is the winner of the Asbury Park Music Awards “Best Guitarist,” “Best Blues Band,” and “Living Legend” awards, as well as the two-time winner of the East Coast Rocker’s “Best Guitarist” award. Billy’s style is old school blues mixed with a little bit of rock and roll, and performances are always passionate, engaging and dedicated to making the audience move. He reflects the true soul and origins of the blues.

Founded in 1987, the nonprofit Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation remains dedicated to its efforts to preserve, promote and perpetuate jazz and blues on the Jersey Shore through performance and education. Visit www.jsjbf.org for more information. Connect with the JSJBF on Facebook at Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festival and Twitter @JSJazzBluesFest. For information on becoming a festival sponsor or crafter, contact Doris Lazur at 732-933-1984 or sponsors@jsjbf.org.