Newark, N.J. jazz station WBGO 88.3 FM will have its Gala 2005 on Oct. 6 at the Ritz-Carlton in Battery Park. This year’s awards will be presented to a variety of figures in the music industry. The Jazz Achievements Award will be presented to Nancy Wilson (pictured), while Ahmet Ertegun, an Atlantic Records Founding Chairman (1947) will also be honored. The Jazz Foundation of America, www.jazzfoundationofamerica.org will also be recognized for their efforts to provide support to musicians in need.
Performing at the gala will be jazz vocalist Rene Marie, along with her trio. The hosts of the evening will be WBGO’s on-air hosts: Gary Walker, Michael Bourne, Rhonda Hamilton, Awilda Rivera and Brian Delp, among others.
In honor of each of the honorees and artists featured at this year’s gala, WBGO will air 30-minute documentaries on each participant. Each special begins at 6 p.m. The documentary on Rene Marie will be on Sept. 28, Nancy Wilson will be on Sept. 29, Wendy Oxenhom and the Jazz Foundation of America will be on Sept. 30 and Ahmet Ertegun will close the miniseries on Oct. 1.
A Silent Auction will also take place the evening of the Oct. 6. Attendees will be able to bid on an assortment of items including a package for five days and four nights at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival with airfare; a signed Tony Bennett lithograph; a signed copy of Ken Burns’ award-winning documentary Jazz; Hudson River Inlay’s Jammin’, fine art furniture and a jazz-themed console table.
Tickets for the event are $500 per seat and can be purchased by calling (973) 655-9175 or email [email protected].
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