Blogs > Exposed (photos)

A Great, Great Night in Harlem

Last night the world famous Apollo Theater hosted the 10th annual “A Great Night in Harlem” to benefit the Jazz Foundation of America. The Jazz Foundation has been helping musicians without medical insurance gain access to the care and treatment that they need so that they can continue to enrich our lives with their music. The concert featured performances by Dr. John, Macy Gray, Lou Reed and the Kansas City Band from the Robert Altman film of the same name as well as many others.

The most emotional moment of the night came when The Hot 8 Brass Band from New Orleans took the stage. Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, trumpet player Terrell Batiste lost both of his legs in a roadside accident and has performed in a wheelchair ever since. On Thursday night for the first time since before Katrina, Terrell walked onstage with his new prosthetic legs that the Jazz Foundation helped provide. Kermit Ruffins then joined the Hot 8 onstage for the remainder of their set. They all remained onstage and were then joined by Dr. John and Nicolas Payton. After the Lou Reed/Macy Gray finale inside the Apollo, Deacon John, Davell Crawford and others performed at the after party in a tent behind the Apollo. This years goal for the Foundation is to raise two million dollars and you can still donate.