Stars come out to celebrate Jazz at Lincoln Center's 2004 Spring Gala

Jet, July 26, 2004

Show biz celebrities from all genres of entertainment recently came out to help raise money and celebrate during Jazz at Lincoln Center's (JALC) third annual spring gala at the world famous Apollo Theater in New York.

The event, hosted by actor/comedian Cedric the Entertainer, carried the theme Teach Me Tonight and raised $1.1 million for JALC's performance and educational programs.

One of the highlights of the evening included a musical duel between Grammy Award-winning brothers Wynton Marsalis, artistic director of JALC, on trumpet and Branford Marsalis on saxophone. Other memorable moments included famed jazz singer Al Jarreau's thrilling scat performance, Bob Dylan's jazz rendition of his classic It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry (featuring an arrangement by Wynton Marsalis), James Taylor's performance of Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight and 14-year-old newcomer Renee Olstead's rendition of Summertime. Each artist performed with the Wynton Marsalis Septet.

Among the special guests attending the gala were movie director Spike Lee, actors Lynn Whitfield and Courtney Vance, Ed Bradley of' "60 Minutes," Al Roker and Ann Curry of NBC's "Today" and Kwame Jackson of the Donald Trump reality show "The Apprentice."

JALC is the world's largest non-profit arts organization dedicated to jazz. The organization is currently building its new home--Frederick P. Rose Hall--the first jazz performance, education and broadcast facility, which will open its doors this October.