Jazz Foundation of America’s #TheNewGig Benefit Concert to Feature Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Ivan Neville and More

May 7, 2020
Jazz Foundation of America’s #TheNewGig Benefit Concert to Feature Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Ivan Neville and More


On May 14, the Jazz Foundation of American will present an online concert dubbed #TheNewGig, which will benefit its COVID-19 Musicians’ Emergency Fund. The show will be streamed on the Relix YouTube channel on May 14 at 8 p.m. ET, with a 10 p.m. ET rebroadcast.

The quarantined concert features a star-studded lineup of participants: Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Jon Batiste, Ivan Neville, Angelique Kidjo, Robert Cray, Stanley Jordan and more will provide exclusive new performances. According to a press release, the event “will be pre-produced to ensure top production values and eliminate technical issues.”

In addition, the stream will feature “memorable archival performances from the organization’s annual fundraiser ‘A Great Night in Harlem,'” including Herbie Hancock, Patti Smith, Brittany Howard and more. (Quote via press release.)

The event will be hosted by actor/producer Keegan-Michael Key, and drummer Steve Jordan will serve as the musical director. “The Jazz Foundation is a lifeline to musicians of every stripe, all over the country,” said Jordan. “These are the folks who fill clubs, concert halls and turntables with jazz, blues, rock & soul every day, making our lives a little sweeter. We hope that #TheNewGig can lend the hand of support to them in these difficult days for artists everywhere.”

According to a press release, “proceeds from #TheNewGig will support the JFA’s COVID-19 Musicians’ Emergency Fund, which was established in March of this year to help musicians and families affected by the pandemic by covering basic living expenses.”

“An entire community of artists who survive month-to-month have gone from standstill to freefall, financially speaking, but their music has continued to give us solace and comfort in quarantine,” said Joe Petrucelli, Executive Director of the JFA (via press release). “Support for #TheNewGig and the COVID-19 Musicians’ Emergency Fund offers them direct assistance and creates a sense of solidarity and hope in a time of despair and uncertainty.”

“We are honored to be collaborating with the Jazz Foundation of America to host #TheNewGig on Relix’s YouTube platform,” said Relix publisher Peter Shapiro. “Jazz and blues lie at the foundation of everything, really, and it is at the core of the music that we feature everyday on our websites, in our magazine, and on our social platforms. As part of giving back, it’s a privilege to host this very special event.”

#TheNewGig will also feature celebrity appearances by Wayne Shorter, Bootsy Collins, Jeffrey Wright, Rosie Perez, Bruce Willis, Danny Glover, Mark Ruffin, Michael Imperioli, and Steve Schirripa.

During and after the benefit, donations can be made at Jazzfoundation.org/covid19fund, or by texting to 41444, keyword: NewGig.

To tune into the #TheNewGig, head to the Relix YouTube Channel. For more information, visit Jazzfoundation.org.