How a Grammy-Nominated New Bedford Musician Is Still Changing Lives at Berklee

It's been 10 years since the passing of New Bedford's Armsted Christian, a popular and well-known jazz musician, writer and vocalist. Since his death, his wife, family and friends have committed to continuing his musical legacy by holding an annual fundraiser to provide scholarships for students at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Keeping a SouthCoast Musical Legacy Alive

Christian was a Grammy-nominated jazz musician who toured for 35 years, then passed on his love for music to students at Berklee, spending 17 years as a faculty member there before passing away in 2016.

Event Date, Location, and Ticket Information

Armsted's wife, Marci Pina-Christian, visited Townsquare Sunday to discuss her late husband and the fundraiser, which is coming up Sunday, June 14, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at White's of Westport.

"Armsted gave all of himself to his profession, always available to his students," Pina-Christian said. "He absolutely loved teaching at Berklee and making a connection with students, so the fundraiser is a wonderful way to help and support students at Berklee College of Music."

Highlighting the June 14 Smooth Jazz Lineup

The headliners for the June 14 event will supply an afternoon of smooth jazz, according to Pina-Christian. Performers include Grammy-winning artist Marion Meadows and the Gabrielle Goodman Band. Goodman wrote songs with Christian and teaches at Berklee as well.

Pina-Christian said scholarship winners will also perform that afternoon with master musicians, saying it's an opportunity for the attendees to see where their money is going.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Tickets for the Armsted R. Christian Scholarship Fundraiser are available at eventbrite.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

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"There's nothing better than live music," Pina-Christian said. "When you get a group of top musicians together, the spontaneity and creativity kicks in, and all of that makes for a great event, a great show."

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