The Jillian A. Metcalf Foundation held its third annual J.A.M Sesh Fundraiser on Nov. 9 at the Boulton Center on Bay Shore’s Main Street. Doors opened at 6:30 p.m. and the concert began at 7 p.m. This year, three bands were featured and came together to raise money for the Metcalf Foundation.

The fundraiser is in honor of Jillian Metcalf, a Fire Island native who graduated from Islip High School. She was known for helping those around her and was studying to continue her passion of helping others as a nurse. Unfortunately, in 2021, Metcalf died before she got to share her joy of assisting those in need.

The Metcalf Foundation was started by Metcalf’s family and friends just two weeks after her death. Bonnie Metcalf, Jillian’s mother, and Sam Wood, a family friend, helped bring the idea to life. It was a way of giving back to the community that Metcalf loved and appreciated very much. After setting up the foundation, its first J.A.M Sesh was held in September 2022 and raised $110,000.

With the success of the first J.A.M Sesh, a scholarship was established in honor of Jillian Metcalf, and the fundraiser spread from the community in Fire Island to the community in Bay Shore. The following year, in 2023, the scholarship aimed to financially help students who are pursuing a career in nursing and health care. The foundation also supports local families in need.

Tickets for the show were announced in early September for $100. With the purchase, attendees had access to the concert, raffles, light refreshments, a cash bar and a Bud Light on Jill. The lineup for the fundraiser was The Dirty Vice Band, Clashing Heads and J. Haus Band, each with their own style and different genre of music.

Before the show began, Wood spoke on behalf of the foundation.

“The foundation was formed as a memorial fund in Jillian’s name to provide nursing scholarships and medical-type assistance to those in need,” Wood said. “The foundation appreciates the continuing overwhelming support from folks like you.”

The J. Haus Band is well known to Long Island and consists of four musicians. They have performed for over 15 years and play a mix of rock, band classics, and an occasional top hit. Past events include festivals, beach bars and weddings.

The Dirty Vice Band is based along the South Shore of Long Island. The band is made up of seven musicians who together perform a unique mix of pop, funk, soul and rock, along with their own improvisational touch. They originated back in 2013 and have grown ever since, performing their first show as a band in 2014 and opening for acts such as Kool & the Gang and Blues Traveler.

Clashing Heads consists of local musicians who come together and perform some of the greatest hits from rock bands The Clash and Talking Heads. They combine a mix of edgy and improvisational beats to play a blend of both bands.

Music blasted and filled the Boulton Center as Bay Shore locals came together for a good cause.