SOMERS POINT — For the fifth year, the South Jersey Jazz Society (SJJS) will “unofficially” kick off the summer concert series on the William Morrow Beach in Somers Point, this time featuring the PJ Keiter Octet on June 5.
Keiter grew up near the ballfields in Somers Point and is a 2018 graduate of Mainland Regional High School, where he played trumpet in the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Express and was a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
“I played in basically every band that we had because our band director told us we had to,” he said, noting he worked with Keith Hodsen and Derek Rohaly.
“It really was the only thing I was good at and really enjoyed,” Keiter said, adding that he started his local band Plaid Salmon in his senior year.
After high school, he attended New Jersey City University, traveling home on weekends to play local clubs.
He said there, he “was out of my element” in the urban setting and he later transferred to Stockton University to finish his bachelor’s degree in musical performance.
He now is pursuing teaching credentials, working as a jazz band adviser at Mainland and has been substitute teaching for a couple of months.
Since graduation, the 25-year-old has been performing with Plaid Salmon and Exceptions, a wedding band out of Philadelphia.
He has been part of recording three albums of jazz music, including “Make it Snappy” with the PJ Keiter Sextet and two with drummer Mick Cesario.
“I am also involved with reggae bands, blues bands. I don’t discriminate on genre; I’ll play with whoever will pay me,” he said.
Keiter has performed on the beach in Somers Point before, having joined Hawkins Road for three or four songs in 2018 and has played during National Night Out two or three times with the SSP’s.
“I think it’s great. It’s a great location, run well, clean … you can’t ask for a lot more,” Keiter said. “We’ve got a lot of fun music.”
According to a news release from the South Jersey Jazz Society, the PJ Keiter Octet is a versatile jazz combo that performs everything from blues, classic and new wave jazz to funk, fusion and the Great American Songbook all over southern New Jersey.
Led by Keiter, who is a past recipient of the SJJS Jazz Scholarship award, the octet also includes Will Keiter on alto saxophone, Rick Roehm on trombone, Bill Conn on tenor sax, Sam Harasink on bass, James Melton on guitar, Chris Scamby on drums and Alicen Ragonese providing vocals.
Roehm, an All-State and All-Eastern trombone player, also graduate from Mainland, as did Keiter’s brother Will, who has his own blues band called Twisted Living.
“We’re so happy to bring this energetic group to the William Morrow Beach for everyone to enjoy,” SJJS President Nick Regine said. “The youthful exuberance they bring to their performances is sure to have toes tapping and people dancing throughout the event.”
SJJS has brought a range of performers to the beach. Previous performers over the years include the Tito Puente Jr. Latin Jazz Orchestra, Eduardo Cintron and his Sounds of the Caribbean, and the Andrew Neu Orchestra.
The 501(c)3 nonprofit has been in existence since 2004, offering year-round jazz events. SJJS also provides scholarship opportunities to local students and has donated more than $30,000 to support music and arts programs in public schools. Visit SouthJerseyJazz.org for more information.
Participants are encouraged to bring a beach chair and enjoy the concert from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Goodwill donations will be accepted.
Call (609) 289-0326 or visit SouthJerseyJazz.org for more information.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff