Ford and Finesse to riff the genres for Garden Party at the Mansion

Vocalist Jakki Ford and her band Finesse will deliver jazz and more when Friday's Garden Party at the Mansion kicks off Jazz & Beyond in Carson City.

One of the few ticketed events in more than two weeks of jazz, the party is $35 in advance and $40 at the door. It begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Governor's Mansion.

Ford, along with her jazz stylings, interprets various musical genres such as pop, bossa nova, Motown, gospel, Broadway tunes, rock and even opera.

The vocalist, dancer and actress has performed on television and in theater, in operas and cabaret, in Las Vegas and Reno showroom spectaculars, and in commercials.

Her band Finesse features Roger Hogan on sax, Peter Supersano on keyboard, Mac Esposito on bass and Chuck Hughes on drums.

Tickets for the garden party are available online at JazzCarsonCity.com, in Carson City at Play Your Own Music, Home Treasures and the Purple Avocado, and in Gardnerville at Fresh Ideas.

Jazz & Beyond features 60 performances by various performers and groups around the capital city between Friday and Aug. 19, with most of the events free.