The Jazz Foundation of America will host their annual “A Great Night in Harlem” benefit gala and concert at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 to raise funds for the JFA’s Musicians’ Emergency Fund.
Danny Glover, Ann Curry, Jeffrey Wright and Mario Cantone will emcee the event, held at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. “A Great Night in Harlem” will honor musicians considered to have helped define jazz and who have left a meaningful cultural impact through their work in jazz, blues, R&B and soul. In addition to the honorees, musical director Steve Jordan will lead a concert featuring artists such as John Batiste and Betty LaVette.
The event hosts eight honorees this year. The JFA wants to honor Benny Golson to recognize his solo career that followed his rise to prominence touring with Dizzy Gillepsie and Lionel Hampton’s big bands. The founding director and vice chairman of the JFA, Wendy Oxenhorn, will also be honored for her life’s work in offering humanitarian support to jazz musicians. Native New Yorker and 90-year-old Mike Stoller, will also be recognized for his invaluable contribution to mainstream rock and roll and R&B music through his songwriting prowess. And finally, The Titans of Jazz Bass, a group of jazz basists made up of Cecil McBee, Rufus Reid, Larry Ridley, Paul West, Buster Williams and Reggie Workman will be honored as iconic members of the jazz bass tradition.
Steve Jordan is to direct musical performances Jon Batiste, Bettye LaVette, Monty Alexander, Ray Parker Jr., Kenny Barron, Robert Cray and more.
The evening will also include a special tribute to the great composer and pianist Ramsey Lewis, who died in September of last year. Lewis founded the Ramsey Lewis Foundation and Ravinia’s Jazz Mentor Program, and he was on the board of trustees for various music and arts schools, leaving a legacy that will last into the next generation of jazz musicians.
Funds raised through the annual gala will support the Jazz Foundation of America’s Musicians’ Emergency Fund, which provides housing assistance, pro bono medical care, disaster relief and emergency financial support to musicians in need. Tickets for the gala range from $75 to $250, and tickets that include access to the JFA’s exclusive after party start at $500. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show is set to start at 8 p.m. Tickets can be found here.
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