The University of Nevada, Reno School of the Arts presents Mark Braud’s New Orleans Jazz Giants featuring Troy Davis in a special Hurricane Katrina Relief Jazz Concert, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005, at 4 p.m. in Nightingale Concert Hall on the University campus. The opening act will be the University Jazz Combo, featuring drummer Tom Goicoechea, a displaced student from Loyola University in New Orleans.
“This concert serves two important purposes,” said Larry Engstrom, director of the School of the Arts. “It gives prominent New Orleans musicians no longer working an opportunity to work, and provides a relief effort for victims of the hurricane.”
All concert proceeds will be directed to the victims of Hurricane Katrina – 30 percent to the recently established University of Nevada, Reno Hurricane Katrina Educational Assistance Relief Fund, and 70 percent to the American Red Cross. The 20 students displaced by the hurricane who are currently attending the University of Nevada, Reno will be invited to attend the concert free of charge.
“We believe that a concert to benefit hurricane victims, performed by musicians affected by the hurricane, will be a powerful and engaging experience,” said CJ Walters, associate director of programs and marketing for the School of the Arts. “All of these band members have been displaced – many of them have already performed benefit concerts similar to this one and have been very well received.”
Mark Braud, described as one of New Orleans' most versatile young trumpeters, has been inspired by his musical family including his grandfather, the legendary trumpeter John “Picket" Brunious, Sr., and his uncles, the internationally acclaimed jazz trumpeters Wendell and John Brunious. Mark is also related to the great Ellington bassist, Wellman Braud.
Other members of Mark Braud’s New Orleans Jazz Giants featuring Troy Davis include Troy Davis on drums, Lawrence Seiberth on piano, Jesse Boyd on bass, Detroit Brooks on guitar, William Terry on saxophone and Frederick Lonzo on trombone. All seven band members were affected by the hurricane.
Walters said organizers are continuing to solicit funds to pay for the costs of airline tickets and performance fees for band members. If those costs are covered, according to Walters, the concert has the potential to raise approximately $14,000 in ticket sales alone for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Tickets are $25 and will be available online at the University's arts365 website, http://www.unr.edu/arts, by phone at 1-800-225-2277, at the door one hour prior to show time, and at the Lawlor Events Center box office, open weekdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Additional donations will be accepted at the concert.
The School of the Arts is seeking additional sponsors for the event. Current sponsors include For the Love of Jazz, the University of Nevada, Reno Jazz Festival, Carol Mousel, Barbara Feltner, KUNR-FM 88.7 and the Sands Regency Casino Hotel.
For more information about helping to sponsor the concert, call CJ Walters, (775) 784-4046 or email: [email protected]. For tickets, visit http://www.unr.edu/arts or call 1-800-225-2277.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
