The Arts & Humanities Alliance of Jefferson County (AHA!) will feature the jazz magic of the Bob Sykes Group at its first-ever wine tasting and jazz fundraiser, “Hot Times, Cool Jazz,” on Sunday, July 14, 5 p.m. at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown. There will also be a silent auction of original art works and prints by area artists.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit AHA’s Teaching Arts Creatively and Community Arts Impact Award grant programs. AHA awards some $35,000 a year in grants to artists, teachers and organizations in the county.

This fabulous indoor/outdoor event will also feature finely prepared international delicacies from four countries and over 15 complementary wines carefully selected by the Bavarian Inn wine expert, David Asam, and Master Chef, Wolfgang Vomend.

Jazz pianist, Robert Sykes, has been teaching and performing professionally for the past 30 years in the Washington, DC area. He has performed at the Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, Carter Baron Amphitheatre, Lisner Auditorium, the Phillips Collection, the Hirshorn Museum, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Hillwood Museum, The Barns at Wolftrap and the Swiss Embassy. Recently, Robert performed at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz festival in February 2013 and most recently he played a retirement party in the home of former Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton.

Tickets are $50 per person, available online at www.ahajc.org, by mail to AHA! of Jefferson County, P.O. Box 2051, Shepherdstown, WV 25443, and through AHA! Board members.

Sykes can be reached for interviews at 301-518-5926or by email at Sykespiano@gmail.com.