Waltham Land Trust seeks auction donors and sponsors for annual Blues Jam

Waltham Land Trust is hosting its 22nd Annual Green Space Blues Jam on Friday, May 15, and is looking for sponsors to help underwrite expenses of the gala. The funds will also support green infrastructure projects suggested by the Charles River Watershed Association for the Lakeview Preserve on Hardy Pond. These improvements will help treat stormwater before it flows into Waltham’s only great pond.

The deadline for sponsor donations is May 4. Members of the public can purchase tickets for $85; $40 for those under 40. Visit the event website for details and registration.

This year’s Blues Jam features live music by blues vocalist Michelle “Evil Gal” Willson and keyboardist Shinichi Otsu. Attendees will enjoy drinks and snacks while strolling the historic mansion and grounds of Stonehurst, also called the Paine Estate, designed by H.H. Richardson and Frederick Law Olmsted. There will also be an online silent auction, which will run from Wednesday, May 13, to Sunday, May 17.

“This very cool event is our major fundraiser — supporting us in our mission to create a legacy of land conservation in Waltham,” said executive director Sonja Wadman.

About the artists

Known to blues lovers the around the world as “Evil Gal” and acknowledged by aficionados of jazz and blues as a passionate and gifted performer, bandleader and songwriter, Michelle Willson has recorded and released four critically acclaimed albums for Rounder/ Bullseye Records, as well as a live album recorded at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston. Michelle’s performances and recordings have received rave reviews from such respected sources as The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Downbeat, The Japan Times, GQ, Jazz Times and Living Blues, in addition to various other publications from many countries.

Shinichi Otsu has been a keyboardist and a musical director for Greg Piccolo (saxophonist for Jimmy Vaughn and Roomful of Blues) since 1999. He has worked for the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Rent.” He has also performed with Sam Butera’s Wildest, Marty Allen, Tommy Tune, Jay Geils, Duke Robillard, Ronnie Earl and Sugar Ray Norcia. He has opened for Dr. John, Robert Cray, Al Martino, Roberta Flack, John Scofield and the Sun Ra Arkestra.

Event details

22nd Annual Green Space Blues Jam

Friday, May 15, 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Stonehurst, 100 Robert Treat Paine Drive, Waltham