The California Jazz Foundation (CJF) will hold its 12th annual “Give the Band a Hand” Gala fundraiser on Saturday, March 30, at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel. Proceeds from the event will event will aid musicians dealing with financial hardships.
The evening, hosted by jazz radio deejay Rhonda Hamilton of KKJZ, will feature live and silent auctions, a gourmet dinner, video tributes, and a live concert with special guest artist Sheléa. Also, award-winning musician Rickey Minor and the late jazz promoter Betty Hoover will be honored.
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Minor, the recipient of two Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Music Direction and 15 Emmy nominations, will receive the Nica award, which is given to individuals who exemplify the legacy of Baroness Pannonica (Nica) de Koenigswarter, the iconic patron of jazz artists Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk.
Hoover will receive the Heritage award for her immeasurable contributions to the jazz community. For nearly 20 years, she presented the “Jazz at the A-Frame” concert series in her home in the Hollywood Hills. Nearly 500 world-class jazz artists performed during the series, resulting in the series becoming one of the most popular concert venues in Los Angeles.
“The entire community is invited to celebrate with CJF as we honor these great musicians and reach out to ‘give the band a hand,’” said Michael Dolphin, vice-president of the California Jazz Foundation.
“Drummer Clayton Cameron will lead a musical tribute to Betty Hoover with pianist Bill Cunliffe, bassist Trevor Ware and saxophonist Rickey Woodard, all of whom performed many times at Hoover’s A-Frame concerts,” he noted.
“In addition, the CSUN Jazz Quintet will be featured as the evening’s student artists. It will be an unforgettable night of great music and celebration!”
Dolphin has a long association with a wide variety of music genres. His father, John, founded the renowned record store, Dolphin’s of Hollywood, which hosted many legendary artists and musicians along with other popular venues such as The Parisian Room, Marty’s On the Hill, Club Alabam, and The Last Word.
“These clubs existed (and some continue to exist) because of the great jazz musicians who create the music that strengthens and supports our souls in good times and bad. The California Jazz Foundation gets to return the gift by aiding many of these creative musicians when they themselves face challenging times and circumstances,” explained Dolphin.
“CJF is a nonprofit organization started in 2006 to aid and assist California jazz musicians in financial and medical crisis. To date, CJF has touched the lives of more than 400 jazz musicians, providing rent and mortgage payments, housing relocation, arranging for medical and dental care, in-home nursing, discount prescriptions and helping with other emergencies as they arise,” he said.
“Many older musicians have neither Social Security nor any or inadequate health insurance, and some see no residuals from their important work. They rely on CJF, and we rely on the community to keep the Foundation financially sound and swinging,” added Dolphin.
The gala is open to the public. To learn more, call 818-261-0057 or visit www.californiajazzfoundation.org.
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