MC JazzMandel: At the Jazz Foundation of America’s Benefit Loft Party tonight (Oct. 29), 7 pm to midnight, Manhattan, my room has —
perc. Neil Clarke (left, standing) and MC HM, JFA loft party 2010Â — photo by Enid Farber
Tom Harrell‘s Quintet, pianist Marc Marc Cary, preeminent bassist Ron Carter with fine guitarist Gene Bertoncini, turbanated organist Dr. Lonnie Smith with alto sax/Mardi Gras Indian Donald Harrison and N.O. drummer Herlin Riley (yeah!), magisterial Randy Weston’s African Rhythm Quintet, and DC-based blues/r&b updater Memphis Gold.
Memphis Gold promo photo
It’s a great lineup to raise funds for the nationwide safety-net for jazzers-in-need. If you can’t be there, you can still donate.
These parties have been annual big fun, with approx. 600 – 800 fervent fans milling about, including such major business & culture influencers as Richard Parsons, chairman of Citigroup and on President Obama’s economic advisory team, as well as chairman of the board of the Jazz Foundation. Dress is festive/casual. There’s food, beverages, usually a silent auction of jazz-related goodies, and more music: besides the roster in my “jazz room” there are simultaneous sets by the Black Rock Coalition w/electric guitar star Vernon Reid, legendary singer Ronnie Spector (! — model for Amy Winehouse), slide trumpeter Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra, writer-gtrst Greg Tate’s Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber, surprise sitters-in, et al. in the adjoining spaces, looking out on the Hudson.
If you come, please pull my sleeve to say hi.