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| The Josephine Foundation’s 10th Annual Follow Your Dreams Gala The Josephine Foundation Honors NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath, Jazz Producer Cobi Narita, Businessman and Philanthropist James V. Argutto, along with Historian and Award Winning Educator Carl Ballenas on June 1, 2012 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, N.Y. The Josephine Foundation will celebrate its ten year anniversary, on Friday evening June 1, 2012 with its annual Follow Your Dreams Gala at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, N.Y. This year the organization honors NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath, Jazz Producer Cobi Narita, Businessman and Philanthropist James V. Argutto, along with Historian and Award Winning Educator Carl Ballenas. The evening will feature a special performance by The Queens College Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Saxophonist Dean Saghafi with special guest Antonio Hart. Jimmy Heath has long been recognized as a brilliant instrumentalist and a magnificent composer and arranger. Jimmy is the middle brother of the legendary Heath Brothers (Percy Heath/bass and Tootie Heath/drums). He has performed with nearly all the jazz greats of the last 50 years, from Howard McGhee, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis to Wynton Marsalis. Mr. Heath founded the Queens College Jazz Masters Program at The Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in the 1980's. He was a professor there for eleven years and as part of the curriculum he created The Queens College Jazz Orchestra. Cobi Narita founded Women in Jazz in an effort to expose their talent to the public at large. Saxophonist Carol Sudhalter stated, "What Cobi did was a tremendous pioneering thing: she gave women exposure that they may have never otherwise received." She also found the Universal Jazz Coalition/Jazz Center of New York. Now in its 26th year, the organization continues to be a clearinghouse for jazz, offering jazz workshops and seminars as well as black history lectures and films presented by cultural historian Delilah Jackson. Jimmy Heath and Cobi Narita are music legends who have devoted their lives to help Jazz flourish worldwide through their concerts, lectures, publications and master classes. Each has helped nurture and guide the careers of many Jazz Artists that are now established professional musicians. They have been bright stars in the Jazz Community for over forty years. James V Argutto is the President of POM Recoveries, Inc. He has supported the education and practice of risk management and is a world renowned guest lecturer on the subject. Mr Argutto's unique connection to the performing arts goes back many years, as he attended the High School for Performing Arts followed by studies at Julliard as an education and music major. He is an active supporter of many non-profit organizations. His interest over the years has focused on helping those less fortunate, with a soft spot for children's causes. Mr. Argutto is a quiet leader, supporter and activist for those in need. His work has helped many and he continues to make the world a better place. Carl Ballenas has helped changed the lives of hundreds of young men and women, using his special gift as an educator, historian and author. Carl was named in and awarded in the prestigious Who's Who of American Teachers. He has received the NCEA Distinguished Teacher Award and the Siemens Science Teacher Initiative Award. Mr. Ballenas is a Teacher Consultant for The New York Hall of Science, and is listed with the Queens Borough Office as an official lecturer for Queens County. Carl has given symposiums on the history of Queens, NY and has presented a number of written papers. He presently serves as the Richmond Hill Historian, a post he has held since 1985. His community service to the people of the New York area has enhanced the lives of many people who have been lucky to be touched by this man's work. Through their annual events and works, The Josephine Foundation raises money and distributes 100% of these funds to help give special individuals and approved programs using the Arts and Athletics, an opportunity to achieve their goals in life. Through the disciplines of properly run music, arts and sports programs, young people and adults can reach for their dreams regardless of race, creed, nationality, gender, age or financial status. In addition, the Foundation uses special performingarts projects to raise funds and support charities providing support for medical, quality of life and disaster relief throughout the world. As of June 2012, in its short time of existence, The Josephine Foundation has been responsible for more than one million dollars in grants, donations and/or services to deserving programs and individuals. The IRS and New York State recognized The Josephine Foundation as an official Public Charity Organization and Nonprofit Group, effective August 10, 2004. In 2009, the Foundation was granted permanent status by the IRS. write your comments about the article :: © 2012 Jazz News :: home page |