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| Jazz at Lincoln Center: 6th Annual Spring Gala Monday evening (May 14, 2007), Jazz at Lincoln Center held its 6th Annual Spring Gala themed Spring Swing at its home, Frederick P. Rose Hall, raising $1.45 million to benefit the nearly 1, 000 performance, education and broadcast events it produces each year. Led by Gala Chairman Ashley R. Schiff, this year's lead corporate co-chairs included John W. Konkel of Cadillac and Derek Q. Johnson of Time Warner Inc. Chevy Chase's trademark humor welcomed the audience for this star-studded concert, as he expressed his passion for jazz and the exceptional musicians in the Wynton Marsalis Septet. As Master of Ceremonies, Chase introduced the collaborative performances among some of the greatest artists of today beginning with Kevin Spacey's moving performances of "That's All, " and "Where or When." Guitarist Derek Trucks was joined by his wife, vocalist Susan Tedeschi, with an inspiring and soulful duet of "I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free), " followed by Trucks and the Wynton Marsalis Septet performing "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed." Vocalist Barbara Cook wowed the crowd with beloved standards "Surrey with the Fringe on Top, " and a medley, "Long Before I Knew You/I Fall In Love Too Easily" and Jimmy Buffett heated up the Rose Theater stage with "Fool's Paradise" and "Creola." Lenny Kravitz wrapped the concert with electrifying performances of "Are You Gonna Go My Way, " arranged by Wynton Marsalis, "Let Love Rule" arranged by Septet member Wycliffe Gordon and "Always On The Run, " arranged by Septet member Victor Goines. Following the concert, patrons entered the Atrium and The Allen Room for dinner and dancing to the soulful New Orleans band Kermit Ruffins And The Barbecue Swingers. The dancing, and later a jam session featuring many of the gala concert's performers, lasted well into the night. Showing their support of jazz throughout the festive and elegant evening was a distinguished list of guests, including Dr. Rev. Calvin O. Butts, Glenn Close, Maurice and Andrea DuBois, Mica Ertegun, John Glover, Fernanda Kellogg, Gayle King, Debra Lee, Tonya Lee Lewis and Spike Lee, Bill and Phyllis Mack, Congressman Gerrold Nadler, Susan and Alan Patricof, Jonelle Procope, Lisa and David T. Schiff, Karenna and Drew Schiff, Stephanie Seymour and Peter Brant, Lillian Vernon and Paolo Martino, Barbara and Marty Zweig and many others. Jazz at Lincoln Center Board members in attendance included Shahara Ahmad-Llewellyn, John Arnhold, Alan D. Cohn, Diane M. Coffey, , Gordon J. Davis, André V. Duggin, Gail May Engelberg, Michael D. Fricklas, Thomas H. Lee, Edward T. Lewis, Michael F. Price, Mark Rosenthal, Ashley R. Schiff, Lisa Schiff, Paul C. Schorr, IV, Melanie Shorin. The sleek and modern décor in the Atrium and The Allen Room, designed by David Beahm, included swirling tulip centerpieces inspired by the Spring Swing theme. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |