George Benson to Perform; Bill Cosby and Joe Piscopo among Celebrities to Host September 26th Benefit For Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund
Concert to Honor Clark Terry and Congressman John Conyers
New York, NY ---August 10 ---"After forty years of paying their dues they shouldn't have to worry about paying their rent," says Wendy Atlas Oxenhorn, executive director. September 26th will mark the second annual concert event to benefit the Jazz Foundation of America (JFA), to be held at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem. Last year's sold out event raised $250,000 and brought more than 1500 people to the theater to listen to jazz legends Cecil Payne, Cassandra Wilson, Etta Jones, Roy Haynes and many others.
The annual concert has become a major fund-raiser for the Jazz Musician's Emergency Fund, which provides assistance to aging jazz musicians in paying rent, utilities, and medical services. The concert's Jam sessions style format consists of group, solo and duet performances, and will be hosted by several celebrities, including Bill Cosby.
This year's concert will honor two great performers in jazz: Jimmy Owens, and Clark Terry. Congressman John Conyers will also be honored for his successful efforts in having congress declare jazz a national treasure. Jack McConnell, the doctor who created the New Orleans Musician's Clinic, will be honored for his achievements.
Among the performers slated for this year's event are: George Benson, Clark Terry, Eddie Bert, Freddie Hubbard, Cecil Payne, Ron Carter, George Coleman, Hank Jones, James Moody, Lou Donaldson, Jimmy Heath, Buster Williams, Jim Hall, Mundell Lowe, Bertha Hope, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Wess, Joe Lovano, Lenny White, Keter Betts, Winard Harper, Bennie Powell, Bob Cranshaw, Junior Mance, Joe Lee Wilson, David Sanchez, Eric Alexander, Candido, James Williams, Seleno Clark, Pete Cosey, Gary Bartz, John Stubblefield, Mark Whitfield, Ray Barretto, Billy Bang, Hammiet Bluiett, Paula Hampton, Antonia Bennett, with other jazz greats, and a special appearance by Page McConnell of the band Phish and Gil Noble of ABC's Like It Is.
“Great Day in Harlem" revisited Planned as a special treat during the show's intermission, photographers will orchestrate a re-creation of the legendary 1958 Art Kane photograph that appeared in Esquire, “A Great Day in Harlem" with all the legendary performers at this year's event.
For tickets please contact Wendy Oxenhorn, Executive Director, at the Jazz Foundation of America (212) 245-5800. To find out more or make a pledge of support please email: jazzfoundation.pledge@rcn. Or visit the website at: www.jazzfoundation.org .
The Jazz Foundation of America is a not-for-profit organization created in 1989 to help ensure that the musicians who have created the very music we call jazz, are taken care of in their later years. The foundation runs the Jazz Musician's Emergency Fund, which helps pay rent, utilities, repairs instruments and assists in the medical needs of musicians in later life who cannot pay for services themselves. Through the Physicians Network of volunteer doctors, and the foundation's partnership with Englewood Hospital and Medical Center's Dizzy Gillespie Fund, The Jazz Foundation of America is able to provide needed care and treatment to many of these great musicians free of charge. This year alone, 60 were saved from eviction and homelessness. It is estimated that more than $200,000 in free medical services are donated each year
CONTACTS:
Kate Berg
Connors Communications
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(c)914 299 5016
[email protected]
Jim Eigo
Jazz Promo Services
269 S Route 94
Warwick, NY 10990
T: 845-986-1677 / F: 845-986-1699
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.jazzpromoservices.com/
For more information contact All About Jazz.
