If you live in Branford, come summertime, there’s no better place to spend a Thursday night than at a free Branford Jazz on the Green concert. On Wednesday, March 30, the folks who’ve brought so many jazz greats to the Branford Green will pair up with a Branford Jazz series sponsor, Stony Creek Brewery, for a benefit to help build a brand-new Branford Jazz Scholarship.

Event tickets are limited and on sale now for the special night at Stony Creek Brewery, set for March 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The night will feature live music from local jazz artists and, of course, premium crafted beer. Musicians lined up for the show are Dr. Joe Cardinale and Friends: Donn Trenner, Dave Daddario, Ben Belillo and Chris Coulture. Tickets, $25, available now -- ticket holders receive an exclusive pint glass and their first beer free.

The evening is a great opportunity to enjoy live jazz featuring one of the country's most versitale artists, Trenner, a jazz icon who has worked with performers ranging from Tony Bennett to Josh Groban. The Guilford resident was recently featured as a Zip06 Person of the Week http://www.zip06.com/profile/20160309/sharing-his-story-musicx2019s-donn-trenner

When the series was started more than eight years ago, one of the goals was to create a scholarship for a student who has a passion for jazz, said committee member/Branford Jazz co-founder Charlotte Mattei. “This event held at the brewery will be used to begin that fund and to allow us to start the scholarship fund.”

The Branford Jazz on the Green series began in 2009, born out of the efforts of residents wanting to take Branford Recreation Department’s free Sunday afternoon concerts to the next level. Under the auspices of Branford’s Recreation Board, the Branford Jazz committee was formed with volunteer members. The Branford Recreation Department continues to assist the program.

With sponsorship assistance from local businesses and other local organizations, the Branford Jazz series has grown to feature nine Thursday evening shows from mid-June into August, drawing big names and rising stars. The 2016 summer jazz series is already set to kick off Thursday, June 23, with consecutive Thursday night shows (from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) running through Aug. 18.

The Branford Jazz Scholarship will help assist recipients who may not be able to afford an instrument, lessons, or schooling.

An evening of music featuring local jazz artists and premium crafted beer takes place at Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Avenue, Branford, on Wednesday, March 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit Branford Jazz Music Scholarship Fund. Limited tickets, $25, are available at http://www.branfordjazz.com%20or call the Branford Recreation Department at 203-488-8304.