"A Great Night in Harlem"
at Apollo Theater

Bertha Hope

Last September, the Jazz Foundation of America sponsored the second annual "A Great Night in Harlem" at the world-famous Apollo Theater. Hosted by Bill Cosby, the event featured more than 50 legendary performers, including George Benson, Cecil Payne, Ron Carter, Lou Donaldson, Jimmy Heath, Joe Lovano, Keter Betts, Candido, Billy Bang, Hamiet Bluiett, Abbey Lincoln, Hank Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Lee Wilson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Owens and Ray Barretto. For the second time in the event's history, Yamaha provided a CFIIIS concert grand piano for the evening's performances. In addition, Yamaha also provided a S4 grand piano, which was used in the cocktail area for the Apollo audience's pleasure.

Freddie Hubbard Octet with George Benson

"God bless the people at Yamaha for being our official piano sponsor at 'A Great Night In Harlem' and for being a supporter of the America's Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund," says Wendy Atlas Oxenhorn, executive director for the Jazz Foundation of America. "Yamaha's donation of the CFIIIS afforded us the best quality piano, and since a CD of the concert was recorded, the amazing sound will be memorialized and enjoyed by people for years to come."

The Jazz Foundation of America was created in 1989 to help ensure that the musicians who have spent their lives bringing jazz to life are taken care of in their later years. The benefit concert raised nearly $250,000 for the foundation's Jazz Musicians' Emergency Fund, designed to help ailing, impoverished jazz musicians who have no access to medical care.

 

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