The Athens Area Council for the Arts is pleased to announce a musical fund raiser to be held Saturday, August 18, 2012 at The Arts Center in Athens.  The casual event is the third annual Hot Nights, Cool Jazz Party with the Tim Hughes Quartet and Friends.  Tickets are $15 in advance and at the door.  All proceeds will be applied to The Arts Center’s building fund.

The Tim Hughes Quartet has been a featured group at various Arts Center fund raisers in the past, including the annual Arts Gala held in March and Jazzy Little Christmas.   The quartet appeared at Riverbend 2010 in Chattanooga where they opened for jazz trumpeter, Arturo Sandoval.  Members are Robert Grier on bass, David Payne on drums, Robin Payne on keyboard, and Tim Hughes on trumpet.  Guest vocalists will also be featured with the group.

Friends of the Tim Hughes Quartet include talented Knoxville musicians, vocalist Kelle Jolly and multi-wind instrumentalist, Will Boyd, and the Knoxville based band, Danger Cube.  Jolly and Boyd have been seen on stages world-wide as solo and ensemble artists.  They will also appear at The Arts Center in October as the bonus event on AACA’s Big Time/Small Town Performance series.  Danger Cube is comprised of Andrew LaPrise on keys, Josh Howard on bass and Bowman Townsend on drums.  They share the stage with what they call the Danger Cube extended family, a group of horn players, guitarists, and vocalists who lend their talents to the group.

Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar will be available.  Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased on line at www.athensartscouncil.org, at The Arts Center, 320 North White Street, or by phone at (423)745-8781.  Anyone wishing to make a donation to the event itself should call The Arts Center.