photo by Dino Perrucci

15th Annual Great Night In Harlem
Apollo Theater
New York
October 27

Last year, the Jazz Foundation of America’s Gala Concert honoring Sonny Rollins, culminated with an appearance from Keith Richards, so the bar was set pretty high for the 15th annual, Great Night in Harlem. Yet they managed to raise the bar even higher—and raise a lot of money for charity. Along with inspired live music, there were also testimonials and some engaging video clips to illustrate the work the foundation does every day to assist jazz and blues musicians in need.

The evening kicked off with a stirring rendition of “Summertime” by Zeke Mullins and New Orleans’ own “Queen Clarinet” Doreen Ketchens. Next up was the 7th Ward’s Thais Clark with Dr. Michael White and the Original Liberty Jazz Band, who performed a very cheeky “Horn Man Blues.”

Dr. John received the first Hank Jones Award from Danny Glover after beaming at a video montage that included Ringo Starr sharing a great, and perhaps “medicated” memory of the magical Ju Ju he was granted. Dr. John then performed “Such a Night” and “Right Place, Wrong Time” with trombonist Sarah Morrow right by his side and crowd favorite Robert Randolph sitting in.

The other honoree of the evening, McCoy Tyner, then received the Lifetime Achievement Award before  taking the stage with Avery Sharpe on bass and Gary Bartz on sax for a set that affirmed Tyner’s vitality and prowess at age 77.

After an adjustment to the piano bench, the tiny but mighty, 10-year-old piano prodigy Brandon Goldberg stunned the crowd with his poise and skill. Another jaw-dropping performance came from Hurricane Katrina survivor, Davell Crawford and his eight-person choir. They filled the historic theater with a sound almost as loud and beautiful as the bejeweled outfit that Davell wore. As a testament to NOLA’s comeback, Davell told the audience: “Each year, a better jacket and a little more bling”.

Bruce Willis, who left the set of the movie he is currently working on to take part in the event, covered Ike Turner’s “Matchbox” with a nine-piece band that included sax player “Blue” Lou Marini. The evening wrapped as the John Mayer Trio stepped out to perform “Everyday I Have the Blues” and Mayer’s insanely popular “Gravity.” Robert Cray then joined him for “Chicken in the Kitchen” and they gave a nod to the late B.B. King with “Let the Good Times Roll”—which they certainly did, right on over to the after-party and beyond.