Dave Brubeck, Hank Jones and Norah Jones Perform at Jazz Foundation of America's "A Great Night in Harlem" Benefit on May 29th

April 29, 2008 (New York, NY) - The Jazz Foundation of America presents its seventh annual gala benefit concert, “A Great Night in Harlem," on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at the world famous Apollo Theater at 8 PM in New York City. Over 50 legendary jazz and blues artists are scheduled to perform at what Elvis Costello calls “One of the greatest concerts I've been to in twenty years." Hosted by Bill Cosby and Danny Glover, the one-time-only extravaganza will feature an exciting array of performances by some of music's most respected and revered artists, including a special 90th Birthday celebration for legendary pianist Hank Jones, with Norah Jones.

“A Great Night in Harlem" will commemorate the Jazz Foundation of America's eighteen years of providing emergency assistance and long-term support to the nation's jazz and blues musicians. Proceeds from the evening will benefit hundreds of ailing and elderly jazz and blues musicians around the country, many of whom would be homeless, unable to work or suffering for lack of medical care without the help of the Jazz Foundation. Since Hurricane Katrina, the foundation has answered over 3500 emergency assists, by providing them shelter and free medical care, as well as creating employment opportunities for over 1000 musicians affected by the tragedy.

“It is now our turn to be there to save the artists who for years have given us the music that celebrates our greatest joys and gets us through our toughest heartaches," says Jazz Foundation of America Executive Director Wendy Oxenhorn. “Imagine the world had these legendary musicians not been here to help pave the way for the music of the last 40 years. A celebration like 'A Great Night in Harlem' serves as a reminder of our goal: keeping the music and the musicians alive."

This year's honorees include Agnes Varis of Agvar Chemicals Inc, Adrian Ellis of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and jazz legend Hank Jones. The concert includes performances by an array of jazz and blues greats including Randy Weston, Cecil Bridgewater, Nnenna Freelon, Leon Hendrix (Jimi Hendrix's brother), Dave Brubeck Quartet, Buster Williams, James “Blood" Ulmer, Sweet Georgia Brown, Frank Foster & his Loud Minority Big Band, and many more.

About The Jazz Foundation of America

The Jazz Foundation of America (JFA) was co-founded in 1989 by Dr. Billy Taylor with a group of caring jazz enthusiasts to save people who always worked 6 nights a week, were always self-sufficient, never took a handout, and spent lifetimes making the world a more beautiful place with their music. The Jazz Foundation has assisted approximately 3,500 musician emergency cases alone since Katrina, aiding hundreds of musicians and their families, including the elderly jazz greats who pioneered this original American art form. Prior to Katrina, the Jazz Foundation navigated hundreds of musicians through the aftermath of 9/11 when paying venues dried up. Celebrities including Danny Glover, Quincy Jones, Richard Parsons, Bill Cosby, Elvis Costello, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Whoopi Goldberg, Paul Shaffer, Bonnie Raitt and Chevy Chase are dedicated supporters of the Jazz Foundation of America.