The world is still trying to recover from the devastating late-December Tsunami that directly affected seven countries and - at this point - looks to have taken nearly 175,000 lives. Relief fund drives and jazz benefits were quickly organized last month by such places as Tonic with performances by John Zorn, Sylvie Courvoisier and Mark Feldman's piano/violin duo, Rudresh Mahanthappa and Steve Lehman's Dual Identity and drummer Jim Black amongst others. Guitarist Rez Abassi donated a portion of his music sales for his Snake Charmer (Earth Sounds) CD release event at Joe's Pub to the relief and rescue effort. This month, jazz vocalist Louise Rogers will similarly be donating profits from CDs sold at her release concert (Kavehaz, Feb. 6th) for Basically Speaking (Rilo Records). Hats off also to violinist Jenny Scheinman who was seen performing with Norah Jones in a star-studded collection of pop icons on the globally televised two-hour Tsunami fundrive for the Red Cross on Jan. 15th.Another commendable response to this natural disaster was Brooklyn's Willy Bee's Family Lounge sponsoring a children's art exhibit entitled “Love, New York" to benefit the victims of the Tsunami disaster. Beginning with a mid-January benefit concert, they have since been collecting Valentine-related artwork and cards from children as part of this project which will be sent to children in Tsunami-devastated regions. Willy Bee's will be hosting a closing event on Valentine's Day featuring the Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra. Tax-deductible donations will gladly be accepted up until this event, all proceeds going directly to support Tsunami-affected children and families through the organization “Do Something: Kids Tsunami Relief Fund“.
It's unfortunate that it takes a disaster of such magnitude to bring the world together, but it is indeed the small things in life that we have all come to appreciate on an altogether new level following such tragic events. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to the survivors and those affected.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
