Arts & Entertainment
Locals Gather to Hear Jazz Music to Benefit Japan
Briarcliff Manor couple organized event, which was at Seven Bridges.
Supporters around the community gathered at Chappaqua's on Sunday afternoon for Hope and Courage, a Jazz Benefit concert to raise funds and awareness for the recent disasters in Japan.
The of Kazuko Ono and her husband Shunzo Ohno, of Briarcliff Manor, who decided to bring their musical talents and passion to use for a good cause.
"I believe in the power of community," said Kazuko Ono with powerful conviction. "We want to be together in friendship and support of this disaster and by doing that we strengthened our own community and expanded our own lives."
World renowned musicians offered their time and talents by collaborating to make the Tribute Jazz Ensemble. The super-group included Shunzo Ohno (trumpet), David Berkman (piano), Clifford Carter (keyboards), John Patitucci (bass) and Clarence Penn (drums)—all of whom have found musical success and community support in Japan throughout their careers.
While jazz was the headliner of the event, the concert featured an eclectic mix of musical talents. The evening opened up with local rock band, Knave's 13. Chamber music was also put in the spotlight as a cello duet of Kummer Duet Op.22 no. 2 was performed by Sachi Patitucci and Sasha Ono.
Many of the musicians then gathered on stage before intermission to perform a song set to a video montage focusing on the Japan disaster which garnered a very emotional and receptive applause.
Local community and student organizations co-sponsored and helped out during the event including Chappaqua PTA, Seven Bridges GO, Seven Bridges S.H.A.R.E. Jr., Horace Greeley Students for Social Justice, Horace Greeley S.H.A.R.E. and Horace Greeley International Relief Club. Also on hand before the show and during intermission was a silent auction and a master calligrapher demonstration by Yoshiko Katsumi of Armonk, NY.
The night closed out with the Tribute Jazz Ensemble performing a passionate set that kicked off with Stella by Starlight by Victor Young and Sakura, a Japanese Folk Song. They closed out the evening with two pieces entitled Bubbles and Musashi, both originally composed by Shunzo Ohno.
While the donations go to the Consulate-General of Japan to benefit communities in need due to the disaster, the concert also benefited our local community in building stronger relationships in times of need.
"The friendships and bonds that we created made this community stronger," explained Ono. "By sharing and connecting to another community it creates the foundation for world peace."
