The Jazz Foundation of America Loft Party with Lou Reed, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ron Carter, Jimmy Norman

Dino Perrucci on November 4, 2011

On Saturday October 29th The Jazz Foundation of America presented its 20th Annual Jazz Loft Party in NYC. The party is a benefit for the Foundation who provide assistance with performance opportunities to emergency living expenses to medical care to housing for Jazz and Blues Musicians in need.

This years performers included: Lou Reed, Randy Weston, Tom Harrell Quintet; Ron Carter; Dr. Lonnie Smith featuring Donald Harrison and Herlin Riley; The Burnt Sugar Arkestra mashes James Brown & David Bowie with Vernon Reid of Living Color; Marc Cary; Black Rock Coalition Orchestra; Sweet Georgia Brown & The Blues Crusaders; Matthew Whitaker; Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra meets Laurel and Hardy; The Harlem Blues & Jazz Band, Davell Crawford, Thais Clark, Red Morgan, Jessy Carolina and the Hot Mess; Dr. G.B Burt. The night produced many special moments. Matthew Whitaker is an 11 year old Organ player from Hackensack NJ who has been playing since he was 3 years old. Born premature and blind, Matthews touch on the Organ mesmerized many in the crowd, Keep an eye out for this gifted young musician.

Also in attendance was Jimmy Norman. Jimmy is best know for co-writing “Time is On My Side” which was the Rolling Stones first hit in America. Jimmy has been in declining health the past few years and has been in hospice for the last two months. Jimmy thrilled the crowd by performing the song with help from Lou Reed, Andy Hess and others. The joy on his face spoke volumes about the mission of the Foundation and the power of music.

This years fundraising goal came up $4085.50 short. Please visit http://jazzfoundation.org/loft2011 to help out.