Temple Avenue is pictured here performing at the Eicher Arts Center in 2019. The group will return to the Eicher in Ephrata on May 19 at 2 p.m.

Temple Avenue, a musical foursome that puts its own spin on jazz and swing standards, will perform May 19 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Eicher Arts Center, 409 Cocalico St. In Ephrata Borough’s Grater Park. Admission is free.

Weather permitting, the event will take place outdoors. Audience members are urged to bring folding chairs with them.

In 2011 pianist Colin Mekeel, then a high school junior, started the Lancaster-based Temple Avenue jazz group with friends who were enrolled in the jazz program at Philadelphia-based Temple University.

Temple Avenue plays concerts, dances, receptions and other events throughout south-central Pennsylvania. Many of the songs it plays are well-known standards that have come to be part of the Great American Songbook, but the group also features some lesser-known musical gems.

In addition to Mekeel, the Temple Avenue members at the May 19 show will include singer Cecilia Ferneborg, alto saxophonist Mervin Toussaint and bassist Josh Machiz.

The May 19 show is part of the 2024 series of admission-free Sunday afternoon musical events hosted by Eicher Arts Center, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Donations to the organization will be accepted.

The group was founded 40 years ago when the historic Eicher House was threatened with demolition. It worked with the borough to transform the structure into a showplace venue for cultural events for the public that also is rented out for weddings and other private events.

Anyone interested in sponsoring future public events there May contact the Arts Center at info@eicherartscenter.com.