Jazz Alliance Concert Raises Relief Money and Spirits

NEW YORK--Compared with other all-star music benefits for the Sept. 11 attacks, the “Made in America” jazz concert was decidedly low-key: It was held in a small hall without televised coverage, animated speeches or flag waving.

But the performances at Wednesday’s event were anything but subdued. The concert, which featured Cassandra Wilson, Regina Carter, Ruben Blades, k.d. lang, Joshua Redman and others, was a spirited celebration, with the focus squarely on the music.

Numerous celebrity benefit concerts have been held since the attacks, including the mammoth “Concert for New York City” at Madison Square Garden, an October benefit that raised more than $30 million.

The “United We Stand” concert in Washington and the “Country Freedom” concert in Nashville also raised millions of dollars.

Wednesday’s event was organized by the Jazz Alliance International and raised about $260,000. According to organizers, the money will be donated to the Robin Hood Foundation for relief efforts.

A few of the tunes were tied to the evening’s theme: Pianist Kenny Werner performed a beautiful medley of patriotic tunes, including “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful”; Wilson sang a stirring rendition of “This Land Is Your Land,” joined by Carter on violin and Bela Fleck on the banjo.

But for the most part, the concert provided an opportunity for the audience to just sit back and enjoy the music, such as Jane Monheit’s lush rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” with trumpeter Terrence Blanchard.

Redman, backed by bassist Christian McBride, pianist Brad Mehldau and drummer Brian Blade, performed his “Rejoice.” The saxophonist said he hoped the song would raise spirits, “even in these troubled and confused times.”