The teaching and performing abilities of Island drummer Todd Zimberg will be on full display this weekend in a free show at 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 10, at Red Bicycle Bistro.

Zimberg will take the stage that night to perform jazz, rock and blues with the band Long Lost Trio, but he’s also the driving force behind the evening’s opening act — an eight-member youth jazz ensemble, the SAAS E Block Band, that he instructs at the Seattle Academy. 

Zimberg has worked in the Puget Sound region as a musician and educator for more than 20 years. He is a member of the Island Jazz Quintet as well as the Portage Philharmonic Big Band. He also teaches privately and has worked as an artist in residence in the Vashon schools as well as for the Washington State Arts Commission. He directs a summer youth percussion camp now in its 12th year.

This summer, Zimberg will travel with some of his students to Manaus, Brazil, to take part in the Amazonas Festival of Jazz.

The Brazil trip is the summer camp’s third global excursion — prior participants have seen two trips to Ghana. Island percussion students Leo DeBlasi, Graham Hazzard and Ian Peterson will join three Seattle Academy students to immerse themselves in the Brazilian music scene. 

To make a contribution to help the group travel to Brazil, go to Pay Pal and enter stuartsarah@comcast.net. Or call Sarah Stuart for more information at 498-3154.