'A Night in Harlem' Holds Music and Promise

Macy Gray, Dr. John, Lou Reed and Christian McBride on stage at the Apollo Theater at last year's "A Night in Harlem" concert. Photos courtesy of Jazz Foundation of America.

WHAT a bill! What a lineup!

Who's on? Bettye LaVette, Stanley Jordan, Sweet Georgia Brown, Essie Mae, Paquito D'Rivera, Bono, more than 40 others and some surprises. And special guest Quincy Jones.

The gala concert, planned for Thursday at the Apollo Theater, brings together musicians across genres for a mega jam session. It’s all good fun for a good cause. The occasion is the Jazz Foundation of America's (JFA) 11th Annual "A Great Night in Harlem." The night also plays host to a post-concert dinner and after-party. It starts at 7 and goes until late.

The evening is JFA's main fund-raiser for its Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund, which provides holistic assistance to jazz and blues artists with a capital “A.” Everything from keeping a roof and the lights to medical care and work worthy of their prodigious talent.

Hot 8Brass Band takes it to 126th street after the main concert at the 10th "A Night in Harlem.”

The fund-raising goal for the evening is $1.6 million. At this writing an additional $500K or so will close the gap. Concert tickets can be had for as little as $55. A $500 concert ticket is good for an invitation to the after-party.

Visit http://www.jazzfoundation.org/ to learn more about the Jazz Foundation of America and “A Night in Harlem.”