In the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated northern Japan, artists and arts organizations around the world are helping with relief for the Japanese jazz community. One of the biggest efforts is taking place in New York City. If you live in or near Manhattan or will find yourself there this Monday evening, April 4, please consider joining the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra at the Village Vanguard. The band and the venerable club are joining forces in the fund-raising and inviting prominent guests, including Tom Harrell, Barry Harris, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Roy Hargrove, Marvin Stamm, Rufus Reid and Jerry Dodgion. Others will be added. For details and a list of guest artists, see the VJO’s website.
The three sets of the benefit will be streamed live at this web address.
In the meantime, here is the orchestra at the North Sea Festival in Holland in 2008 with “Mean What You Say,†a staple of the band’s repertoire by one of its founders, Thad Jones. Solos are by Terell Stafford, flugelhorn, and Gary Smulyan, baritone saxophone. The music justifies the effort of adjusting your eyes and ears to the catch-as-catch-can quality of the location video and audio.