Media Contacts:

Sue Auclair, 617-522-1394Sue Auclair Promotions; www.sueauclair.comjazzwoman@earthlink.net

Barry Clifford, 617-442-8800 x1421Dimock Community Health Center; www.dimock.orgbcliffo1@dimock.org

For Immediate Release:September 26, 2006

Laura Brunner Wins Talent Competition!Steppin' Out 2006

Talent Search FinalsMonday, September 25 at Scullers Jazz Club

Choose Laura Brunner to Appear at Steppin' Out 19

Boston, MA--September 25, 2006--Tonight a panel of prestigious judges chose singer Laura Brunner and her band to perform atDimock Community Health Center's annual Steppin' Out Gala, November 4. BRUNNER completely wowed the judges andthe crowd of more than 150 people at Scullers with an original composition dedicated to the situation in Iraq. Five terrificand talented groups, chosen from more than 30 entries, performed in 10 minute segments at Scullers Jazz Club while the panel ofjudges deliberated over the winning group. The other four competing final groups included the Beat Kaestli Quintet, Clear Blue,Jazz In The Air and Juliet Lloyd.

Laura Brunner is an accomplished young singer/composer hailing from Columbus, Ohio, where she sang with numerous choirsand performed with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra on many occasions. In 2002, Brunner received a scholarship to attendBerklee. She has performed in Berklee's popular Singers' Showcase concert twice, and also in master classes with Meredith Monk,Riannon, and Ellis Marsalis. Brunner recently released a CD of original compositions and co-organized and performed in theFresh Forward Jazz Festival, giving young composers an opportunity to showcase their material and promote the future generationof jazz.

The Laura Brunner Group was chosen to (1) win $500, (2) perform alongside internationally known artists and (3) to showcase hermusic talent before attending press, major corporate heads and music industry professionals at Steppin' Out for Dimock 19 onSaturday, November 4.

The 19th annual Steppin' Out fundraising gala will take place this year at the Sheraton Boston Hotel [39 Dalton Street, Boston] onSaturday, November 4 at 8:00 pm, beginning with a pre-gala reception and dinner from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

The theme of this year’s event will be "Steppin' Out for Dimock 19 - New Orleans Style," and as usual more than 15 nationallyknown jazz, rhythm & blues, Latin, and other eclectic performers will descend on the heart of Boston for one fabulous party ontwo levels in seven rooms. This year's New Orleans-themed lineup will feature R&B/gospel vocal stars Kenny Lattimore & ChantéMoore, legendary New Orleans' pianist/vocalist Dr. John, Latin timbales king Tito Puente Jr. and his big band, jazz trombonistDelfeayo Marsalis and his band, rhythm and blues vocalist Cuba Gooding, Sr. and his band The Main Ingredient, R&Bsongwriter, producer and vocalist Dwele, heavy New Orleans brass funk titans Rebirth Brass Band, the diva of jazz and bluesLavay Smith & The Red Hot Skillet Lickers, the New Orleans' swing, funk, second line, R&B, hard bop, Latin, blues and calypsoensemble known as the Henri Smith - Nat Simpkins Band with saxophonist Charles Neville, singer/songwriter Digney Fignus andhis Cajun Band, jazz tenor saxophonist Paulo Danay and his Jazz Quartet, tuba player Kendrick Oliver and his gospel-tinged bigband New Life Orchestra, jazz and gospel/R&B pianist George Russell Jr. and his band featuring vocalist Wannetta Jackson, jazzpianist Hey Rim Jeon, New York-based-Tobago-born island/gospel singer Wendy Mitchell, and Boston's own Silver Lining GospelSingers. These artists will be performing all evening, alternating continuously in eight different "nightclubs" at the Sheraton

Boston Hotel beginning at 8:00 pm and ending at 2:00 am. Food and cash bars will be available throughout the evening in eachroom.

Tickets are on sale now and range from $100 [seniors] to $350 [star patron tickets]. Tickets can be purchased directly fromDimock Community Health Center located at 55 Dimock Street, Roxbury and can also be bought at Allen's Formalwear [594Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester] as well as at A Nubian Notion [41 Warren Street, Roxbury]. For full information, go to:www.steppinoutgala.org or call: 617-442-8800 x1006. In addition, the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Back Bay is offering a specialovernight rate off $199 for Steppin’ Out guests. For reservations and information call: (888) 627-7054; this offer is valid throughOctober 6.

Steppin’ Out for Dimock is Boston’s liveliest and most highly anticipated annual gala fundraising event.

Steppin Out For Dimock 19 – New Orleans Style

Saturday, November 4, 8 PM - 2 AM, Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton Street, Boston

STEPPIN' OUT 2006 "CLUB" LINEUP:

BASIN STREET JAZZ CLUB

• Dr. John & The Lower 911

• Kenny Lattimore & Chanté Moore

THE LOBBY CAFÉ CLUB

• Rebirth Brass Band

THE SAVOY

• Cuba Gooding Sr. & The Main Ingredient

• Tito Puente, Jr.

• Kendrick Oliver & The New Life Orchestra

THE JAZZ WORKSHOP

• Delfeayo Marsalis

• The Henri Smith-Nat Simpkins Band withCharles Neville

• Vivian Male

THE JUDAH "PRAISE" CLUB

• Wendy Mitchell

• Silver Lining Gospel Singers

• Reverend Clarence Powell

THE HI-HAT

• Paulo Danay Jazz Quartet

• Hey Rim Jeon

• Laura Brunner

SCULLERS JAZZ CLUB

• George Russell, Jr.

• Lavay Smith & The Red Hot Skillet Lickers

THE FRENCH QUARTER

• Dwele

• Disc Jockey

THE DIMOCK PAVILION

• Digney Fignus Cajun Band

Ticket Prices:

• Star Ticket $350• General Admission $200

Tickets are available at these locations:

Allan’s Formal Wear594 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester MA

A Nubian Notion57 Warren Street, Roxbury MA

Dimock Community Health Center55 Dimock Street, Roxbury MA

For more information please call 617.442.8800, x1006 orvisit: www.steppinoutgala.org