News Details (Posted: September 18, 2009):

Harlem Nights Benefit Concert

Contact Information:

elyse van breemen
727 446-4839

Full Description:

JAZZ IS BACK AT THE FT. HARRISON   Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Harry James, The Four Freshmen and Buddy Rich –they were all there at The Fort Harrison Hotel in the 1970's. Traditional jazz at its finest. On September 19, history repeats itself with the Harlem Nights Jazz Benefit Concert at the Fort Harrison, newly restored to its pre-World War II splendor.   Jazz pianist, Lillette Jenkins-Wisner, crowned "Queen of the Keys," who played with the Duke will perform. Nat King Cole honored her with a song, "Lillette, you are the best thing yet." If she tells you she’s 86, you won’t believe her, especially when she struts on stage in 3 inch heels.   Rose Bilal, jazz vocalist, will sing the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. She opened for greats like The O’Jays, Chubby Checker, Gladys Knight & The Pips.   Then it’s the Harlem Jazz All Stars. John Lamb, bassist, performed with Duke Elllington, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, and Peggy Lee. He’s been on the Ed Sullivan Show, the Bell Telephone Hour and played with the Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, Pittsburg Symphony and more. Ronald Gregg, drummer, served as a member of the United States Army Band. He has played with the renowned jazz great, Al Downing, as well as accompanied Tony Bennett. Jack Wilkins, saxophonist, kis the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of South Florida, Tampa. His latest CD has been featured on the JazzSouth Radio program, heard on 70 stations in the US and abroad. Jay Coble, Trumpet, is Assistant Professor of Trumpet, School of Music of University of South Florida in Tampa. He has recorded for The Tracy Ullman Show and The Simpsons on TV, played on commercials for Infinity Cars, Alaska Air, Shell Oil and Pepsi, has played in shows with Natalie Cole, Mel Torme and Nancy Wilson and toured with Buddy Rich and Tom Jones.   Arbra Tawwab, poet and playwright, has conducted self-empowerment conferences, workshops and seminars for over 30 years. Arbra will empower the event with poetry.   The Savoy Dancers, a group of young, talented artists, will rev up the audience with roaring 20's, 30's and 40's dance.   Introducing it all will be George Nix, the Master of Ceremony, known for years as the smooth jazz voice on WSJT from 7 pm to midnight.   The event will benefit six non-profit community groups:   Jazzatorian, Inc.’s mission is to preserve old school/straight-ahead jazz – 1920s, 30s, & 40s – as a rare and valuable American treasure. They accomplish this through jazz concerts, workshops and seminars throughout the Bay area.   The North Greenwood Community Coalition was formed to eradicate drug dealing and crime in the North Greenwood Community located near the heart of downtown in Clearwater, Florida. The group received two prestigious awards from the City of Clearwater in 2008, the Best New Neighborhood Association and 1st Place for the Mayor’s Award of Excellence for its achievements in improving North Greenwood.   Mt. Carmel Community Development Corporation of Clearwater, Inc.has the mission to spur economic revitalization, provide a cultural art experience for local residents and families and improve the image of the North Greenwood community. Mt, Carmel Holdings develops affordable housing for low to moderate income families and seniors.   The Willa Carson Health Resource Center provides basic health care services to the North Greenwood Community free of charge through the generosity and commitment of physicians, nurses, and health care professionals who donate their services.   Artists in Action International is a dynamic organization that believes in using art, whether paintings, sculptures, music, poetry, literature, dance, film or theater to impact the world.   Unlimited Gospel Expressions is a non-profit foundation headed by its founder and chairman, William Sanders, who promotes his ministry with gospel music. The organization is known throughout the country for its productions and promotions of concerts and workshops.   A Spiritual Change, Inc. helps people, especially in the North Greenwood Community, find employment. It provides substance abuse counseling, mentoring for youth and help with parenting.   It’s all happening Saturday night, September 19 at The Ft. Harrison, with hors d’oeuvres reception at 6:30, concert at 7:00. Traditional jazz, which gave rise to the Clearwater’s internationally famous Jazz Holiday Festivals, has come back to its founding birthplace in Clearwater with a spectacular event – Harlem Nights. Tickets are $100; couples $175. Attire: swanky 1940's, costumes encouraged. For more information, phone 813 221-3088 or 727 543-4463 or go to www.harlemnightsbenefit.org.