In 2017 Sax on the River presents A Smooth Jazz “Concert for the Cure” is a Susan G. Komen Northern & Central California event.
Sax on the River was originally conceived by Trisha Friend who is the standing Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Susan G. Komen Northern & Central Valley affiliate. Over 8 years ago Trisha was enjoying a Tom Braxton show at Harlow’s in Sacramento and during the final number of the night, several local musicians; Kim Waters, Jeff Clayton and Garrett Perkins joined Tom on stage. Four amazing saxophonists on the stage at one time, playing together, made her heart skip a beat...and the rest is history. The saxophone is an instrument that brings smiles to faces and makes people’s hearts sing and she wanted to bring that to her benefit concert. It has become more of a labor love since her best friend (who helped her start the event) passed away from breast cancer that spread to her bones & liver. She is very excited that her vision is being embraced by the organization that has become family.
As a breast cancer survivor, she created the event to promote breast cancer awareness, to give back to non-profit organizations that help local women get the services they need and contribute to funding national research, as her lifelong wish is to see an END to breast cancer. Trisha also wanted to share her love of jazz, particularly the saxophone, with all her friends, breast cancer survivors and fellow jazz lovers in the Sacramento area.