The finest musicians in Jazz will join Billy Crystal and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis in a special night of improvisatory brilliance on the timeless themes of love and loss, addressed through laughter, dance and the indomitable spirit of swing. Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2014 Gala concert, titled “Love, Loss and Laughter: The Story of Jazz” is a one night benefit on May 1, 2014 at 7:00pm, hosted by Emmy and Tony award winning actor Billy Crystal. The evening’s musical revue will highlight some of the greatest songs in the history of Jazz from its inception in New Orleans, its flowering in New York, and its integration into global culture. Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2014 Gala will take place at Frederick P. Rose Hall, “The House of Swing,” located at Broadway at 60th Street, New York, New York.
“We are honored to host all of our special guests, who are and have been valued members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center family. We are especially pleased to welcome Billy Crystal, who is himself a master of improvisation as an actor, comedian and host. The music is in his blood: Billy was raised in the spirit of Jazz and literally surrounded by some of the greats in the music. His father, Jack Crystal, managed the famous Commodore Music Shop and produced Jazz concerts. Billy’s uncle, Milt Gabler, was a legendary Jazz record producer of such songs as ‘Fine and Mellow’ and ‘Strange Fruit,’ and created the Commodore Jazz label. Billy spent time with the likes of Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday,” said Wynton Marsalis, Managing and Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center. “We look forward to an unforgettable evening filled with the unexpected.”
The gala concert, directed by Marc Bruni (“Beautiful, The Carole King Story” and “Anything Goes”), will explore the story of Jazz through song, dance, and monologue. The critically-acclaimed Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis will be joined by Jonathan Batiste, Bill Cosby, Aaron Diehl, Jon Faddis, Fairview Baptist Church Brass Band, Dominick Farinacci, Taj Mahal, Pedrito Martinez, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mark O’Connor, Dianne Reeves, Marcus Roberts, and Cécile McLorin Salvant.
This array of talent will perform some of the most meaningful compositions in Jazz, including the music of Jelly Roll Morton, Harold Arlen, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, and others; and will highlight the blues, Parisian clubs, Broadway, Latin, and modern jazz. Ryan Francois, two- time winner of the U.S. Open and American Swing Dance Championships will choreograph dances to Paul Whiteman’s “Charleston” and Count Basie’s “Jumpin’ At The Woodside.”
Proceeds from “Love, Loss and Laughter: The Story of Jazz,” will help to enable the thousands of performances and the diverse education programs and resources produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center each year. Through its concerts, free webcasts, direct musical instruction, and distribution of scores, Jazz at Lincoln Center reaches more than one million people globally, of all ages. The organization employs more than 1660 artists per year on its bandstands and in its classrooms, and welcomes more than 165,000 visitors to “The House of Swing” annually.
On this special evening, the organization will honor Jazz at Lincoln Center Board Member and supporter of the arts John Arnhold, who is Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of First Eagle Investment Management. During the evening, Jazz at Lincoln Center will bestow upon him the organization’s Ed Bradley Award for Leadership in Jazz.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Gala Chairs are Helen and Robert J. Appel; and Jody and John Arnhold. Co-Chairs are Jenny and Michael Price; and Burwell and Chip Schorr. Vice Chairs are Shahara Ahmad-Llewellyn; Larry Gagosian; Ann Tenenbaum and Thomas H. Lee; Adam R. Rose and Peter R. McQuillan; Rebecca and Art Samberg; and Melanie Shorin and Greg S. Feldman.
Gala tickets begin at $1,500 and tables begin at $25,000. For tickets, please call Events Associates, Inc. at 212.245.6570 or email [email protected].