Pianist, Jennifer L. Whitfield will provide entertainment at Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library on Sunday, October 7, at 2 PM with a blues/jazz concert.

Born and raised in Picayune, Jennifer Haselmaier Whitfield began taking piano lessons when she was 5-years old. As a Picayune Jr. High student, she accompanied the school’s Competition Choir under the direction of Mrs. Kathy Guizerix Faucett. Her family moved to Huntsville, AL when she was a teenager. There she studied under pianist Ingrid von Spakovsky — Adjunct Instructor from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. When her family returned to Picayune in 1988, she was the band keyboardist for half-time shows and contests under the direction of Mr. Jerry Cumberland. As a college student, she accomopanied the Pearl River Community College Choirs under the direction of Dr. Mark Malone. At the University of Southern Mississippi, she accompanied the University Singers and Chorale. Mrs. Whitfield received degrees from both Pearl River Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. However, some of her most thrilling moments as a musician have been her opportunities to perform on stage with internationally renowned pianist Dino Karsonakis; and to serve as travel companion to the world’s reigning virtuoso of the violin, Itzhak Perlman.

Mrs. Whitfield continues to teach private piano lessons from her home and has been a member of the Picayune Piano Teachers Association for seventeen years. She has also served as accompanist and solo pianist for numerous schools and churches including Trinity United Methodist, Pilgrim Bound, Roseland Park and Picayune’s First Baptist Church where she is a member and is currently teaching Children’s Choir. She is the wife of Jonathan Whitfield, and they have three children, Caroline, Ross and Justin.

Mrs. Whitfield says that much of her inspiration for playing the piano is the memory of her great grandmother, Ina LaMunyon Harris, who taught piano lessons for many, many years. Jennifer’s great uncle is renowned jazz pianist, Dr. Jazz Jim Harris, who currently resides in Slidell, Louisiana. You will want to reserve a spot on your calendar for this entertaining afternoon as Jennifer “jazzes it up.”

JasmineWalton,Justin McDonald, William Wise and Ross and Justin Whitfield will make guest appearances in the performance and Mr. Justin L. Nunez will be performing on double bass.