Odell and Lenora Ferebee, Kathie Cruickshank, and Wanda Azmoodeh braved the rainy day to enjoy some jazz and jazz-inspired artwork. Photos by Nicole B. Brewer

Jamesport - Over a series of six winter weekends, Long Island Winterfest and the East End Arts Council bring "Jazz on the Vine" to art and music aficionados across the East End. Over 60 free musical performances will take place at vineyards and other venues through March 22. This past weekend, the Jamesport Manor Inn and Rosalie Diamond Gallery opened their doors to the musical interpretations of award-winning flutist Michelle LaPorte and guitarist Gerry Saulter of "Serenade Duo" and jazz-inspired art by Austrian-born artist Sibylle-Marie Pfanffenbichler.

Jane Kirkwood, artist Sibylle-Marie Pfanffenbichler, and Pat Snyder of EEAC.

The art changes quarterly in this recently renovated inn-restaurant, gallery proprietor Matt Kar explained. Working in conjunction with the East End Arts Council (EEAC), the gallery space offers regular tours of the artwork, wine dinners, and special events meant to highlight the artistic nature of both the art and the food.

As the music played, Pfanffenbichler was bedecked in a regal purple silk jacket as she made the rounds greeting well-wishers during the exhibit. "The EEAC invited me and I am very honored to be the jazz artist for 'Jazz on the Vine,'" she exclaimed with a wide grin. Pat Snyder of the EEAC noted that members of the council had seen Pfanffenbichler's work at Guild Hall and "we knew we had to have it for 'Jazz on the Vine.' She had to be our jazz artist."

"I grew up in Austria and when American music swept through we were not allowed to listen to it," Pfanffenbichler reminisced. "I remember Chubby Checker, Elvis, and all the American singers. When I moved to America I fell in love with a black man and he took me to all the music places in Harlem like the Apollo. His mother was a dancer. I started sketching dancers and have been doing it ever since."

With regard to her painting of noted jazz musicians and enthusiastic dancers Pfanffenbichler explained, "It's just fun. I have to give credit to WLIU's jazz programs. I've learned a lot about musicians like blues singer Robert Johnson from them. My paintings are a reaction to the music." As if on cue Wally Smith, General Manager of WLIU came to offer his regards to the artist and was happy to expound on the "Jazz on the Vine" programming - of which the radio station is a major sponsor, "It's one of the most important things we do. We put the artists together with the public. It's our charter in life."

Award-winning flutist Michelle LaPorte and guitarist Gerry Saulter of "Serenade Duo" performed during the opening.

"The whole month of having 'Jazz on the Vine' has been so successful," remarked Kar. "We're so supportive of the arts and we've had some really great things here." The show will be on display in the second-floor gallery of the inn for the next three months - then Kar noted, "The EEAC will decide what comes in next."

Over 70 art and music lovers including Cindy McCaffery, Jim Edert, Mira Aluma, artist John Randolph, jewelry designer Jane Edsall, Tim Taber, Jane Kirkwood, Odell and Lenora Ferebee, Kathie Cruickshank, Wanda Azmoodeh, and Joanne Liguori, among others, mingled through the upstairs gallery during the two-hour event on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Guest Stewart Malloy was so glad to be at the event and echoed the feelings of other guests when he commented, "We were here last year and it was such an extraordinary, positive event and we looked forward to this expanded event. It's really great!"

 • For the full list of concerts and events check out www.liwinterfest.com.