Enjoy the sounds of local jazz musicians the Rick Massengale Trio as they perform at the Villages Amphitheater on Sat., Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 general admission and are on sale at the Historic Train Depot and Welcome Center in Fayetteville.

The Rick Massengale Trio has evolved over the years to become the masterful group now performing together. Massengale was the first person to bring jazz to Fayette County. More than ten years ago his trio started playing jazz at Starbucks in the Fayette Pavilion. Soon they were a staple at Baci’s Ristorante where they played for several years. When the original restaurant closed, Rick and Bill Nelmes, his longtime bass player and vocalist, expanded to venues in Newnan and Peachtree City before settling at the City Café and Bakery where they have been for three years. The “Music With Friends” series at the café has been one of the most successful ventures in the artistic community of Fayetteville. Every show over the last three years has easily sold out, and they continue to do so.

Along the way the popular duo has regularly played with their long time drummer Rex Butner, who formed a trio to play regularly at Baci’s Ristorante. Mariano Pacetti, who is a well known sax player and Martin Rudy on trumpet will join the trio to form an all star quintet. On several occasions, the trio has teamed with either Pacetti or Rudy, but never as a quintet. To quote pianist Massengale, “There is not a better sax player than Mariano, nor a better trumpet player than Martin Rudy. And to have them on stage at the same time will be a jazz experience like none other.”

This group brings an eclectic jazz style through their individual talents. It will feature jazz standards and classic jazz featuring music of Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane and music popularized by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald.

Tickets for all concerts may be purchased online at www.villagesamphitheater.com or by calling Fayetteville Main Street at 770-719-4173. Cash, check, Visa, Mastercard and American Express are acceptable forms of payment. Food and beverages are allowed in the amphitheater.

The remaining concerts at the Villages Amphitheater are Dionne Warwick on Aug. 11 and Lonestar on Sept. 8. Tickets are still available for all shows. God & Country Night, a free event, will be held on Sept. 9.

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