With the proceeds supporting the Jazz Foundation of America’s Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund, “A Great Night in Harlem,” the sold-out benefit concert at the iconic Apollo Theater on Oct. 24, took on an extra layer of greatness. The JFA assists older jazz and blues musicians in need, whether for medical care, housing issues or any number of other crises, making a tangible difference in the lives of people who’ve dedicated themselves to music. If that meant listening to a certain amount of speechifying between sets at the Apollo, no one was complaining.
By the end of the night, although the organization fell somewhat short of its stated fundraising goal-the JFA says $400,000 is still needed-$1.5 million had been raised. Those funds will go directly toward helping artists. As the popular expression goes, it was all good.
