Blue Note's Japan Benefit Announces New Set of Performances; Renee Fleming & More Added

WHAT: Due to the overwhelmingly positive response from artists, managers, and promoters, the Blue Note Jazz Benefit for Japan will be extended to include an additional set of performances on April 18 to benefit those afflicted by the horrific natural disasters in Japan. The April 18 set will be produced by Charles Carlini of In Touch Entertainment and will feature opera star Renee Fleming debuting music from her latest album of pop hits, Dark Hope, along with Madeleine Peyroux, Joe Lovano, Karrin Allyson, Don Byron, Sonny Fortune, Antonio Hart, Dave Kikoski, Eldar, Eddie Gomez, Janis Siegel, Allan Harris, Bob Mover, Harry Allen, Tony Middleton, Ben Allison, Lauren Kinhan, Steve Williams, Clifton Anderson, Sarah Hayes, Bob Albanese, Randy Napoleon, Danny Walsh and Frank Senior starting at 7:00pm. An after-hours show with artists TBA will be held at 11:00pm.

The April 19 set, produced by Seiko Kinoshita of the Blue Note New York, will now feature jazz piano legend McCoy Tyner along with Madeleine Peyroux, Ron Carter, John Scofield, Michel Camilo, Kenny Barron, Paquito D'Rivera, Robert Glasper, Roy Hargrove, Dave Valentin, Roberta Gambarini, Richard Bona, Lionel Loueke, Gretchen Parlato, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Lew Tabackin, Gregoire Maret, Ann Hampton Callaway, Jose James, Alex Brown and Ferenc Nemeth, who will perform from 7:00 - 10:00pm. An After Hours set will be scheduled following the all-star performance with Mark Guiliana, Nir Felder and Jason Lindner.

For the last 23 years, the Blue Note New York has maintained Blue Note clubs in multiple Japanese cities, with current establishments in Tokyo and Nagoya. In light of the recent earthquake and tsunami, the Blue Note New York will host jazz benefit concerts at the Highline Ballroom on April 18 and 19 with 100% of the ticket proceeds to be donated to the Japan Relief and Recovery Fund spearheaded by Direct Relief. For the seventh consecutive year, Forbes has recognized Direct Relief as one of only two nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that is 100 percent efficient in fundraising.

The April 19 event is being organized by talent buyer Seiko Kinoshita, who began working for Blue Note Fukuoka in 1991 and has worked at Blue Note New York since 1996. "As the details of the disaster unfolded, I felt sad and frustrated that I couldn't do much to help, being so far away from my home country," said Ms. Kinoshita, who was born and raised in Fukuoka, a southern prefecture of Japan. "Having worked in the jazz industry for most of my adult life, I decided to organize a benefit concert and was very encouraged by the willingness of the artists, as well as their agents and managers, to support the event. Charles Carlini of In Touch Entertainment is taking charge of programming for April 18th. I hope that our joint efforts show solidarity, and I want the Japanese people to know that New Yorkers and the jazz community care deeply about them and their country and want to do what they can to help."

Blue Note New York President Steven Bensusan has worked closely with the Blue Note clubs in Japan. "The events unfolding in Japan are tragic, and we want to do everything we can to help," he said. "We hope that rallying the jazz community in New York for the Benefit Concert will help raise awareness and funds that will go towards rebuilding Japan."

Ron Carter, the preeminent jazz bassist who will be among the all-star musicians at the Highline Ballroom on April 19, wrote of his concerns and appreciation for the Japanese people: "We have been receiving the dramatic and tragic news reports of the massive and historic earthquake, tsunami, and now the damage to the nuclear power plants. We share the grief of the enormous loss of life and displacement of the Japanese people. I will pray for Japan's fast recovery and will do everything in my power to help. The Japanese jazz fan is the most important supporter of my music, and I am always grateful for the years Japan has stood by my side."

"It's been a nightmare," says Blue Note Japan Inc.'s Talent Buyer Rio Natsume of the dire situation in Japan. "But fundraisers like the Blue Note Jazz Benefit which raise money and awareness are just amazing. Not only will it provide financial aid, it offers mental and spiritual sustenance for the people of Japan."

The Highline Ballroom is located at 431 W 16th St New York, NY 10011 between 9th and 10th Ave. For tickets, please call the box office at (212) 414-5994 or visit www.highlineballroom.com

For more information on the Japan Relief and Recovery Fund, please go here: http://www.directrelief.org/EmergencyResponse/2011/JapanEarthquakeTsunami.aspx?referrer=japanearthquake

WHEN: Monday, April 18 & Tuesday, April 19, 2011; The shows will run from 7:00 - 10:00pm

Followed by an After Hours set on April 18 for $15 at 11:00pm; and an After Hours show on April 19 only from 11pm - 1:30am with Jason Lindner, Mark Guiliana, Nir Felder, and more for $15.

WITH: APRIL 18: Renee Fleming, Madeleine Peyroux, vocals; Joe Lovano, tenor saxophone; Karrin Allyson, vocals; Don Byron, clarinet; Sonny Fortune, saxophones; Antonio Hart, alto saxophone; Dave Kikoski, piano; Eldar, piano; Eddie Gomez, bass; Janis Siegel, vocals; Allan Harris, vocals; Bob Mover, saxophone; Harry Allen, tenor saxophone; Tony Middleton, vocals; Ben Allison, bass; Lauren Kinhan, vocals; Steve Williams, drums; Clifton Anderson, trombone; Sarah Hayes, vocals; Bob Albanese, piano; Randy Napoleon, guitar; Danny Walsh saxophone; Frank Senior, vocals.
APRIL 19: McCoy Tyner, piano; Madeleine Peyroux, vocals; Ron Carter, bass; John Scofield, guitar; Michel Camilo, piano; Kenny Barron, piano; Paquito D'Rivera, woodwinds; Robert Glasper, piano/keyboards; Roy Hargrove, trumpet; Dave Valentin, flute; Roberta Gambarini, vocals; Richard Bona, bass; Lionel Loueke, guitar; Gretchen Parlato, vocals; Toshiko Akiyoshi, piano; Lew Tabackin, saxophone; Gregoire Maret, harmonica; Ann Hampton Callaway, vocals; Jose James, vocals; Alex Brown, piano; Ferenc Nemeth, drums

COST: For both April 18 & 19: $45 advanced purchase, $55 Day of Show; After Hours Sets $15

WHERE: The Highline Ballroom; 431 W 16th St New York, NY 10011

MORE: Doors open at 6pm. The show will run from 7:00 - 10:00pm on April 18 & 19. Both nights will be followed by an After-Hours act at 11:00pm for $15. April 19's After Hours set will be with Jason Lindner, Mark Guiliana, Nir Felder, and more.

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