(NEPTUNE, NJ) -- Fulfill (the Food Bank for Monmouth and Ocean Counties) has a star-studded lineup of performers scheduled for its inaugural benefit concert at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, NJ on Thursday, May 11. The lineup now includes G.E. Smith, Southside Johnny Lyon, Jesse Malin, Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie), Jill Hennessy (singer/actress from Crossing Jordan and Law & Order), Early Elton Trio (featuring Jeff Kazee, Rich Pagano and John Conte), Brian Kirk (Brian Kirk & The Jirks), House band featuring Jeff Kazee, G.E. Smith, drummer Shawn Pelton, guitarist Billy Norris, and the Asbury Jukes horns.
Malin, a New York City-based singer, songwriter and guitarist, is no stranger to the Jersey Shore, highlighted by his annual participation at the Light of Day Foundation WinterFest. Malin has collaborated with many musicians including Bruce Springsteen, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Lucinda Williams and Ryan Adams.
G.E. Smith will make a rare Monmouth County appearance and perform as part of the evening's house band that includes drummer Shawn Pelton and will be led by music director Jeff Kazee. Smith is well known as the former band leader for Saturday Night Live. He has also recorded and performed with artists including Roger Waters, Hall & Oates, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, David Bowie and more.
The pre-concert reception will honor two local musicians - Jeff Kazee of Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes and Brian Kirk of Brian Kirk & The Jirks - as well as radio personality Tom Cunningham, host of Springsteen on Sunday on 107.1 The Boss, for their longtime commitment to alleviating hunger in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
“We are excited and incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to showcase these three pillars of the music community and to thank them for their support of our mission to help provide food, services, and hope to the people of Monmouth and Ocean Counties,” said Triada Stampas, President and CEO, Fulfill. “We hope the community will turn out in large numbers to take part in what we know will be an incredible night filled with music and entertainment.”
Tickets are available for purchase online. The concert begins at 7:30pm. Sponsorship packages (including VIP tickets) and journal ads are available by contacting Kate Irving ([email protected]) or visiting their sponsor page for more information here.
Honoree Backgrounds
Tom Cunningham – The host of ‘Springsteen On Sunday’ on 107.1 The Boss (WWZY-FM) is in his 20th year of playing the music of Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and other Jersey Shore music scene stalwarts on Sunday mornings from 9 to 11. Cunningham began his radio career while a student at the University of Dayton, ending up at the Gem City’s top-rated free form progressive rock station and eventually heading back east, spending 10 years at legendary heritage Top 40 station WPST in his hometown, Trenton. Cunningham then landed in Cherry Hill for three years working with industry icon Kal Rudman at the Friday Morning Quarterback. He has held executive positions in the promotion departments at Reprise Records, Jive Records, Universal Records and Vanguard Records. He is currently a format editor at the radio and record industry destination, All Access Music Group. Tom holds an annual all-request show that benefits Fulfill. In its 17th year, Tom takes song requests for a minimum donation of $25 on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. His loyal listeners always grab the spots quickly with all funds benefitting Fulfill.
Jeff Kazee – A keyboardist and vocalist, probably best known for his longtime role as bandleader for Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, for which he has (with Southside Johnny Lyon) written and produced the Asbury Jukes' critically-acclaimed albums Pills & Ammo and Soultime! Kazee has recently written, performed and produced his own solo album, titled Thanks For Checking In. A highly in-demand, side musician and arranger for touring and recording, Kazee has worked across the country and internationally with Bon Jovi, Roger Waters, Dar Williams, Steve Kimock, The Blues Brothers Band, Gavin DeGraw, G.E. Smith Band and countless others. Early Elton Trio & The Poor Fools are two of Jeff’s favorite bands that he co-founded. During the pandemic, Kazee created a “Live from the Living Room” series where he performed live on Facebook, ultimately raising over $26,000 for Fulfill.
Brian Kirk – Part musician, part singer, part comedian, Kirk is the lead singer of Brian Kirk & The Jirks, a popular Jersey Shore band for over 20 years. Kirk comes from a family of musicians where both his father and brother were band leaders. He is a self-taught musician who used to play in basement parties with a tip cup in front of him. Brian has come a long way since those days and is amazed that he gets to make a living playing music and celebrating some of the most joyous occasions of people's lives. Brian and the band have played at Fulfill’s Culinary Classic for many years. Recently, Kirk chose Fulfill as the beneficiary for his 70th Birthday Tribute to The Boss at the Count Basie Center for the Arts and raised over $23,000.
Fulfill, the food bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, has been providing food for families at the Jersey Shore for more than thirty-eight years. We supply over 1,100,000 meals per month by distributing food to nearly 300 feeding agencies in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, including soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters, and by delivering food to families, children, seniors, veterans, and more. Fulfill also offers a suite of programs to connect people to the resources they need to become self-sufficient. Our team assists with applications for SNAP, affordable health care, and utility assistance. They also help with affordable housing applications, budgeting and money management, and senior services. Fulfill also provides community and school garden programs, and a 13-week culinary training program.
