NILES — When Caryn Adler, an adult services team member for the Niles District Library, set out to revive the Summer Concerts in the Park series – she wanted to also help local nonprofits.

All summer long, musicians across Michiana who have graced the stage of the Riverfront Amphitheater have helped to bring awareness and raise funds for organizations that serve their community.

This week, that effort continues as the Lake Effect Jazz Big Band performs at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Riverfront Park. People are invited to bring their lawn chairs and blankets to the park and listen to the free concert.

The concert will benefit Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan. The nonprofit provides meals to senior citizens in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. In addition to supporting Meals on Wheels, the Niles District Library will also be collecting donations for the Teacher School Supply Drive.

Brad Jensen, the Lake Effect Jazz Big Band’s manager and bass trombone player, said the 21-piece band offers up something that people likely will not hear on the radio.

“I think they are going to have some very exciting and energetic music to listen to,” he said.

Jensen said he picked Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan to benefit from the concert because he knows that the organization provides not only food, but the opportunity for local senior citizens to remain independent. Jensen said the organization provided this to his mother for a number of years and he expressed his gratitude.

“We really appreciate what they are able to do,” Jensen said.

The Lake Effect Jazz Big Band has played music in Michiana for 18 years. Those who attend the concert can expect to hear big band and contemporary jazz arrangements. Jensen said the band plays a variety of songs including new arrangements of classic pieces and modern pieces, too. Specially for this concert, he said the band will perform the “James Bond Medley” with a solo performed by trumpet player Steve Bizo, of Niles.

Jensen said what he enjoys about big band jazz is the excitement that the music can stir up in those who listen. He said the band is made up of many band directors who find Lake Effect is a way to show their passion for music on the other side of the baton.

“I think what’s interesting about our group is we all share love for jazz big band,” Jensen said. “It is an art form you don’t hear everywhere. It’s up to us to keep the art form alive.”