Jazz at Lincoln Center
33 West 60th St., 11th floor
New York, NY 10023
www.jalc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 06.14.04

For More Information, Please Contact:
Zooey Tidal, Manager, Public Relations, 212.258.9821 or via email ztidal@jalc.org

Downloadable photos available at:
http://www.jalc.org/04_05/2004_galleries/spring_gala/index.html

New York, NY (June 14, 2004) More than 1,400 guests gathered at the Apollo Theater in New York City on June 7th to celebrate Jazz at Lincoln Center's 2004 Spring Gala.   Cedric "The Entertainer" was the host of the concert as some of today's top musicians - Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Al Jarreau, Branford Marsalis, and Renee Olstead - each performed with the Wynton Marsalis Septet.

Highlights of the evening included Bob Dylan performing jazz renditions of his classic "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" (featuring an arrangement by Wynton Marsalis), a musical duel between brothers Wynton Marsalis on trumpet and Branford Marsalis on saxophone, James Taylor performing "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," Al Jarreau thrilling the audience with a scat performance, and 14-year old newcomer Renee Olstead delivering an impressive version of "Summertime."

The event raised $1.1 million for the organization devoted to jazz.   Special guests at the gala, entitled "Teach Me Tonight," included "Today Show's" Al Roker and Ann Curry, Spike Lee, Ed Bradley, Peter Jennings, Lynn Whitfield, Courtney Vance, Ed Koch, "The Apprentice's" Kwame Jackson, Lyor Cohen, and Ahmet and Mica Ertegun.

Dinner for 700 guests was held in a tent adjacent to the Apollo Theater following the concert, and featured exotic oriental delicacies prepared by Taste Caterers and chic décor by David Beahm.   Lead corporate co-sponsors for the event were JP Morgan Chase and Studley.   The participating sponsor was Cadillac.   The gala co-chairs were Ashley R. Schiff and Vicki Fuller.   Dinner chair was Kimberley Hatchett. The corporate co-chairs were Lewis Jones of JPMorgan Chase and Michael Colacino of Studley. Honorary gala co-chairs were Mica and Ahmet Ertegun.

Currently, Jazz at Lincoln Center is building its new home – Frederick P. Rose Hall – the first performance, education and broadcast facility devoted to jazz, which will open in October 2004.

Jazz at Lincoln Center is a not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to jazz. With the world-renowned Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, and a comprehensive array of guest artists, Jazz at Lincoln Center advances a unique vision for the continued development of the art of jazz by producing a year-round schedule of performance, education, and broadcast events for audiences of all ages. These productions include concerts, national and international tours, residencies, weekly national radio and television programs, recordings, publications, an annual high school jazz band competition and festival, a band director academy, a jazz appreciation curriculum for children, advanced training through the Juilliard Institute for Jazz Studies, music publishing, children's concerts, lectures, adult education courses, film programs, and student and educator workshops. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis and President & CEO Hughlyn F. Fierce, Jazz at Lincoln Center will produce hundreds of events during its 2004-05 season. Currently, Jazz at Lincoln Center is building its new home – Frederick P. Rose Hall – the first-ever performance, education, and broadcast facility devoted to jazz, which will open in October 2004.