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| The Fort Harrison Brings Back Jazz The Fort Harrison Hotel newly restored to its pre-World War II splendor, repeats itself with the Harlem Nights Jazz Benefit Concert where jazz greats will perform music from jazz legends, on Saturday, September 19, 2009, 7:00 p.m. Proceeds will benefit seven non-profit community groups. In the 1970's, The Fort Harrison Hotel hosted many of the finest jazz musician of the times: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Harry James, The Four Freshmen and Buddy Rich. Traditional jazz, which gave rise to the Clearwater's internationally famous Jazz Holiday Festivals, is coming back to its founding birthplace in Clearwater with this spectacular event. The bill for Harlem Nights is truly star studded with the following line-up. Master of Ceremony, George Nix, known for years as the smooth jazz voice on WSJT from 7 p.m. to midnight, will conduct the event through a swinging evening. Jazz pianist, Lillette Jenkins-Wisner, crowned "Queen of the Keys, " who played with the Duke will perform. Nat King Cole honored her with a song, "Lillette, you are the best thing yet." "If she tells you she's 86, you won't believe her, especially when she struts on stage in 3 inch heels, " say the shows producer, Maurice Mickens. Rose Bilal, jazz vocalist, will sing the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. She opened for greats like The O'Jays, Chubby Checker and Gladys Knight & The Pips. Then it's the Harlem Jazz All Stars. John Lamb, bassist, performed with Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, and Peggy Lee. He's been on the Ed Sullivan Show, the Bell Telephone Hour and played with the Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, Pittsburg Symphony and more. Ronald Gregg, drummer, served as a member of the United States Army Band. He has played with the renowned jazz great, Al Downing, as well as accompanied Tony Bennett. Jack Wilkins, saxophonist, is the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of South Florida, Tampa. His latest CD was featured on the JazzSouth Radio program, heard on 70 stations in the US and abroad. Jay Coble, Trumpet, is Assistant Professor of Trumpet, School of Music of University of South Florida in Tampa. He recorded for The Tracy Ullman Show and The Simpsons on TV, played on commercials for Infinity Cars, Alaska Air, Shell Oil and Pepsi, performed in shows with Natalie Cole, Mel Torme and Nancy Wilson and toured with Buddy Rich and Tom Jones. Arbra Tawwab, poet and playwright, has conducted self-empowerment conferences, workshops and seminars for over 30 years. Arbra will empower the event with poetry. The Savoy Dancers will perform dance numbers from the 20's, 30's and 40's. The list of non-profit community groups benefiting from the event begins with Jazzatorian, Inc. whose mission is to preserve old school/straight-ahead jazz – 1920s, 30s, & 40s – as a rare and valuable American treasure. They accomplish this through jazz concerts, workshops and seminars throughout the Bay area. The North Greenwood Community Coalition was formed to and has been successful in getting rid of drug dealing and crime in the North Greenwood Community which is located near the heart of downtown in Clearwater, Florida. The group received two prestigious awards from the City of Clearwater n 2008, the Best New Neighborhood Association and 1st Place for the Mayor's Award of Excellence. Mt. Carmel Community Development Corporation of Clearwater, Inc. has the mission to spur economic revitalization, provide a cultural art experience for local residents and families and improve the image of the North Greenwood community. Mt, Carmel Holdings develops affordable housing for low to moderate income families and seniors. The Willa Carson Health Resource Center provides basic health care services to the North Greenwood Community free of charge through the generosity and commitment of physicians, nurses, and health care professionals who donate their services. Artists in Action International is a dynamic organization that believes in using art, whether paintings, sculptures, music, poetry, literature, dance, film or theater to impact the world. Unlimited Gospel Expressions is a non-profit foundation headed by its founder and chairman, William Sanders, who promotes his ministry with gospel music. The organization is known throughout the country for its productions and promotions of concerts and workshops. A Spiritual Change, Inc. helps people, especially in the North Greenwood Community, find employment. It provides substance abuse counseling, mentoring for youth and help with parenting. It's all happens Saturday night, September 19 with an hors d'oeuvres reception at 6:30 P.M., and the concert starting at 7:00 P.M. Tickets are $100; couples $175. Attire: swanky 1940's, costumes encouraged. For more information, phone 813 221-3088 or 727 543-4463 or go to http//:www.harlemnightsbenefit.org The Fort Harrison Hotel (http://www.harlemnightsbenefit.org/) for the past 8 decades, has ruled as Downtown Clearwater's most recognizable landmark. It has served as the focal point for a variety of activities that have helped to shape Clearwater's history and heritage. For many years it was the springtime home of the Philadelphia Phillies basketball team, and later it embraced touring entertainers from the Rolling Stones in the 1960s to jazz legends in the 1970s. The Church of Scientology purchased the Fort Harrison in 1975 to serve as the center of its international religious retreat and opened its doors to people of all faiths for community events. Throughout this time the Church has continued to see to the restoration and preservation of this beautiful Clearwater landmark. In 2008, the Church embarked on its most extensive renovation of The Fort Harrison, stripping the building back to its beams and rebuilding it into a stunning upgrade of her former self. In March 2009, after 11 months of top-to-bottom restoration, the Fort Harrison reopened her doors. As Mr. David Miscavige, the Chairman of the Board of Scientology's Religious Technology Center remarked to the 6, 000 people who turned out for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the newly restored Fort Harrison on March 14 2009, "This Fort Harrison is and will always remain a landmark and home for all of Clearwater." write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |