Chuks Okpu will perform at SJSF/Berklee Summer Series on Aug. 8 in Derby Square

SALEM, Mass. - July 23, 2015 - PRLog -- The free show will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. and will feature an educational interview about music and the Berklee experience.

Barber’s Edge will sponsor the performance.

Chuks Okpu is a Nigerian bassist/multi-instrumentalist/composer-producer who began touring around Nigeria, South Africa, and America in the band “Jazz Cats,” as the bassist at the age of 16.

He credits musicians such as John Patitucci, Gary Peacock, Christian McBride, Jaco Pastorius, Eddie Gomez and Marcus Miller as his main influences. He has assembled some seasoned musicians/friends from all around the world to perform refreshing and inspirational original compositions. His band includes Patrick Simrad (Canada) on drums, Giorgi Mikadze (Georgia) on piano, Gregory Groover Jr. (United States) on tenor sax and Cosimo Boni (Italy) on trumpet.

The ninth-annual Salem Jazz and Soul Festival will follow during the weekend of Aug. 15-16, featuring 10 bands, a family tent, music-education tent, artisan fair and 21-plus beer pavilion. The two-day concert is free.

The festival is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization that produces free concerts and raises money for music education causes on the North Shore.

Check salemjazzsoul.org [http://www.salemjazzsoul.org/] for more information. Photos provided upon request.