New Marin music nonprofit aims to boost after-school programs

Marin Jazz will donate proceeds from five upcoming shows in San Rafael to support young performers.

A new music nonprofit organization in Marin will use proceeds from five performances in San Rafael to help fund after-school theater enrichment programs for area youths.

The organization, Marin Jazz, will kick off its performance series at the Marin Center Showcase Theater in October, said Todd Ghanizadeh, the chief executive officer and executive producer.

“Our inaugural fall season features some of the most exceptional headliners of today who will surely resonate with the public’s desire to attend exceptional live entertainment,” Ghanizadeh said.

“I am particularly delighted to add that as part of the Marin Jazz mission, we are committed to raising funds to support meaningful after-school performing arts programs for kids,” he said. “Musicians supporting after-school programs for children — well, it doesn’t get better than that.”

Jason Fong, program coordinator for San Rafael, said Ghanizadeh and his partner Sonia Perozzi have worked with the city on after-school theater and performing arts programs for 20 years. They have benefited “hundreds of families” over that time, Fong said.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with the newly formed Marin Jazz organization to provide their after-school enrichment-based theater programs to our youth,” Fong said.

The after-school programs take place at Glenwood Elementary School, Lucas Valley Elementary School and Vallecito Elementary School during the school year, Fong said. They run one day a week for 90 minutes each session, he said.

“We utilize the stage spaces in the school gymnasiums or multi-purpose rooms,” Fong said. “Typically, we have anywhere from 15 to 50 students participating in each production, depending on the school location.”

At the end of each course, there is a performance for family and friends, he said.

The Marin Jazz performance schedule this fall includes Tito Puente Jr. at 8 p.m. Oct. 4; Terrie Odabi, Tia Carroll and Lady Bianca at 7 p.m. Oct. 18; Pride & Joy at 6 p.m. Oct. 31; Kim Nalley and Paula West at 7 p.m. Nov. 23; and Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence with Joyce Vincent and the Tony Lindsay Band at 7 p.m. Dec. 20. Other performances are booked well into 2025.

“We are thrilled to welcome Marin Jazz and their exciting suite of programming to the Marin Center,” said Gabriella Calicchio, Marin County’s cultural services director. “From upcoming Tito Puento Jr. to Pride & Joy, their concerts add a wonderful range of diversity and energy to our events lineup.”

The Marin Center Showcase Theater is at 20 Avenue of the Flags. Tickets and more program details are available at marinjazz.com