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Jewish World Review April 12, 2006/ 14 Nissan, 5766

Nat Hentoff

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Bringing jazz musicians back to life


http://www.NewsandOpinion.com | That jazz has become an international language was illustrated last July when representatives of 30 jazz schools from more than 25 countries gathered in Krakow, Poland, for the 15th annual meeting of the International Association of Schools of Jazz. A more vivid proof of the compelling impact of jazz was when both sides in a fierce civil war in the Belgian Congo, years ago, suspended hostilities because they heard Louis Armstrong was booked to play in that country.


But this worldwide recognition of our sharing the life force and joy of jazz does not extend to the increasing number of ill and elderly jazz musicians here at home — facing evictions and in need of emergency medical care, but without resources.


Among them are not just players who, despite their appearances on many historic recordings, are not jazz stars. And even as famous a trumpeter as Freddie Hubbard was in a state several years ago when, he recalls, "I had congestive heart failure, my wife had lost her job and we lost our insurance. When it happened, man, I didn't know what I was going to do."


However, he heard about the New York-based Jazz Foundation of America, formed by musicians — and supporters to whom the music is a vital part of their lives. Since then, the foundation has taken care of rent arrears; provided sustenance, including food; and provided free medical care, including surgery, through the Englewood (New Jersey) Hospital and Medical Center's Dizzy Gillespie Memorial Fund.


Gillespie, who had more generosity of spirit than almost anyone I've ever known, was dying of cancer at Englewood Hospital when he said to his oncologist, Dr. Frank Forte, "Please try to provide the kind of care I'm getting for musicians who can't afford it."


Until Hurricane Katrina smashed into New Orleans, the Jazz Foundation had been taking care of an average of 35 elderly jazz and blues musicians a week. Since the hurricane's devastation, there have been around a thousand emergency cases concerning New Orleans players. Moreover, the foundation replaced more than $250,000 worth of new top-shelf instruments. And with the financial help of Agnes Varis, also a vital contributor to Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Richard Parsons, the head of Time Warner, more than half a million dollars has been devoted to employ displaced New Orleans musicians in seven states where they've had to resettle. These gigs through the Agnes Varis/Jazz Foundation in the Schools program include sessions in homes for seniors.


What keeps the Jazz Foundation of America going — in and out of emergencies — is its annual "A Great Day in Harlem" concerts at the storied Apollo Theater, where Ella Fitzgerald was discovered and Duke Ellington, Count Basie and other legendary creators played.


The Fifth Annual "Great Day in Harlem" is again at the Apollo (253 W. 125th St., between 7th and 8th Avenues) on May 4.


Bill Cosby, himself a master improviser, will preside. The last time he was master of ceremonies there, I suggested — and I wasn't entirely kidding — that he run for president. "What?" he said, "and bankrupt my wife?" I wish he would reconsider. Appropriately, on stage, will be the New Orleans' New Birth/Rebirth Band coming down the aisles and later, Dr. Michael White's Liberty Band. Also: The ceaselessly imaginative trumpeter Clark Terry; Abbey Lincoln; master bassist Ron Carter; Ben Riley; and Gary Bartz, among others. And, in a wheelchair, 85-year-old blues singer and composer Johnnie Mae Dunson, who wrote for Muddy Waters and Jimmy Reed and was one of the first blues drummers. She's been helped by the Jazz Foundation, and she'll make the Apollo jump.


Also, on passionate blues harmonica is the indomitable Wendy Oxenhorn, who directs the Jazz Foundation at all hours. (Wendy has fed hungry musicians at her home as they begin to become who they once were because of the foundation.) For tickets and information about the Fifth Annual "Great Day in Harlem," the phone number is (212) 245-3999 (ext. 3999), or you can click on to www.jazzfoundation.org.


In the planning stage for jazz players is a jazz residence with affordable rents, a rehearsal hall and a phone number to contact them for gigs. Jarrett Lilien, the president of E*Trade Financial — who has been an indispensable source of support for the foundation — is spearheading the campaign.


"Musicians," says Wendy Oxenhorn, "are the healers of the world. They can take the sadness out of your soul when you lose love, or when you are so disappointed in the world that you feel each time that you turn on the news. They can make you remember what is truly important in life and give you joy every time." There'll be joy aplenty at the Apollo on May 4.


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Nat Hentoff is a nationally renowned authority on the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights and author of several books, including his current work, "The War on the Bill of Rights and the Gathering Resistance". Comment by clicking here.

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