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| Anthony Weller: More Than A Little Help From His Friends  Anthony Weller, born in 1957, is both a highly regarded Boston-area musician (14 CDs, jazz & classical guitarist, composer, teacher) and a published writer (7 books, novelist, poet, journalist, historian). Since age twenty-five, he has pursued no other professions. Since 2002, he has been battling Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and can no longer work as a guitarist.Weller, who is a long-time Gloucester resident, has been immobilized for the past 5 years and as he so aptly put it in his recent Wall Street Journal op-ed "Paralyzed From The Neck Down" (4/10/15): "You swiftly become pragmatic." If you have a loyal fan base, as is the case for Weller, your friends and fans will also follow suit! The quality of life costs ... the inevitable financial burden for most individuals struck with incurable diseases ... are exorbitant. Those living with PPMS are sunk if they lack the personal financial resources to hire care givers and to retrofit their home to include wheelchair access and adaptive technologies. In most cases, it takes an individual's personal village to come up with a financial solution. For Weller, that village consists of a vibrant network of family and friends, many of whom are local artists of various disciplines. Fundraising efforts have begun in earnest, with the "Friends of Anthony Weller" first establishing an online campaign via www.youcaring.com. In conjunction with that, a series of upcoming fundraising concerts have been scheduled which will include performances by many of the jazz musical artists who have worked with Weller over time. Mark your calendars for the following fundraisers: · Jazz Summit : featuring Billy Novick (reeds), Phil Swanson (trombone), Maggie Galloway (vocals), Jon Jarvis (piano), Bob Nieske (bass), David Benjamin (reeds), Jerry Wilfong (bass), and David Landoni (bass). Saturday, July 11, 7:30 pm. Tickets: $25. In advance: www.jazz-summit-for-anthony-weller.eventbrite.com; also available at the door, cash or check only. Annisquam Village Church, 820 Washington St., Gloucester, MA 01930. Wheelchair accessible. For further information: 978-283-2509, smithkylee@aol.com. Autumn Cocktail Party : featuring Billy Novick and other musical guests. Wednesday, September 23, 5-8 pm. Tickets available at the door (includes appetizers): $60. Franklin Café Cape Ann, 118 Main St., Gloucester, MA 01930. For reservations and information: 978-283-7888. The New Black Eagle Jazz Band. Sunday, October 4, 3 pm. Tickets: $25, Seniors $15, Students $5. Slosberg Recital Hall, Brandeis University, 415 South St., Waltham, MA 02453. Wheelchair accessible. For tickets and information: brandeis.edu/tickets, 781-736-3400. Further background information on the multi-talented Anthony Weller can be found at www.anthonyweller.com and www.writeweller.com. The online fundraising campaign, established by the "Friends of Anthony Weller, " can be found specifically at www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/linking-hands-for-anthony/270427. The text for Weller's "Paralyzed From The Neck Down" article in the Wall Street Journal can be found at www.blog.writeweller.com/2015/05/paralyzed-from-neck-down.html; subscribers can also visit www.wsj.com/articles/paralyzed-from-the-neck-down-1428704803. photo credit: Alen MacWeeney write your comments about the article :: © 2015 Jazz News :: home page |