Cellist Harvey Wolfe, shown with his wife, Suzie, is celebrating his 85th birthday with a jam session.

Cellist Harvey Wolfe is turning 85 this month, which is a pretty remarkable milestone.

But rather than settle for a big cake and heart-felt birthday wishes from close friends and family, Wolfe has invited some well-placed musician friends on Saturday, Jan. 26, to share his love of music and his love of reading in a benefit concert for Literacy Connects.

He’s calling it a chamber music jam session, which is an interesting take on the traditional jam sessions usually reserved for blues, rock and jazz.

There’s no set program. None of the musicians β€” violinists Michelle Abraham, Tim Kantor, Anna Gendler and Joseph Roussos-Hammond; cellist Theodore Buchholz; violist Sarah Toy; and Wolfe, who retired from the Cleveland Orchestra β€” will be donning fancy concert attire. And you can feel free to grab a snack and glass of wine during the performance.

The musicians are donating their time and they are asking for a $20 suggested donation, with all the proceeds benefiting Literacy Connects.

Saturday’s event is 5 to 8 p.m. and you can come and go at any time. It’s at the Literacy Connects offices, 200 E. Yavapai Road.


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Cathalena E. Burch