[JPL] John Stubblefield Benefit Report

[Steve Schwartz]

A benefit for saxophonist John Stubblefield took place last night, Wednesday
June 2nd at Sweet Rhythm in New York City and it had to be one of the most
thrilling evenings of music I think I ever heard and for such a good cause.
The spiritual content, the giving of the music, the friends and family
gathered was awe inspiring.
If you don't know, John has been in the hospital for a while, diagnosed with
a very serious illness and this benefit was held to help him with his
medical expenses. The jazz community was out in full force and it was a
thing of beauty.
Todd Barken was the Host. At 8:15 he introduced Sue Mingus who said a few
words about John and why we were all gathered then she introduced The Mingus
Dynasty. Craig Handy, alto; Seamus Blake, tenor; Kenny Rampson (?sp),
trumpet; Conrad Herwig, tbone; Orrin Evans, piano; Boris Koslov, bass
(Mingus' lion headed instrument) and Donald Evans, drums.
Rousing versions of "Haitian Fight Song" "Sue's Changes" "Free Cell Block F"
followed. Joe Lovano sat in for a reading of Mingus' "Moanin" He ripped the
roof of the place. Seamus couldn't take his eyes off Joe during the entire
solo and a big smile took over his entire face when it was over.
By 9:20 the Kenny Barron Sextet has taken over the stage. Gary Bartz, alto;
Eddie Henderson, tpt and flugelhorn; Howard Johnson, muted trumpet; David
Williams, bass and Nasheet Waits, drums.
I don't know the name of the first tune they played but it was smoking.
During the next, Kenny's "Phantoms" Abraham Burton sat in and played strong
tenor. Eric McPherson took over the drum chair and Lovano and Craig Handy
came back to play Hank Mobley's "This I Dig of You" along with Burton and
Henderson. With four horns in the front line one could see the bandstand
being lifted off the floor. Unbelievable!
Wendy Oxenhorn from the Jazz Musicians Fund (I'm not sure of the exact name
of the organization she heads to help musicians in similar circumstances)
was holding a portable cassette recorder in the air to capture the music and
ambience and many of us talked into it, sending John our messages of love
and support and that we were all there and pulling for him.
It's 10:50 and Sonny Fortune takes the stage with George Cables, piano;
David Williams held over on bass and Joe Chambers, drums.
First up is John Coltrane's "Impressions" Burning!
They kick off "A Night in Tunisia" and Andrew Cyrille has replaced Chambers.
Andrew is wearing a white derby hat and during his solo played his FACE!!
Literally, using his hands to slap his cheeks and open mouth for an
incredible musical happening. Also on stage are Brian Lynch, trumpet along
with Bill Saxton and Roland Alexander on tenors. Andy Bey comes out of
nowhere and scats a few choruses before a round of eights then fours by the
horns brought the house down.
Before you know it, they're off and Charli Persip has seated himself behind
the drums. Bassist Ogonna Okegwo takes over. Lynch and Saxton stay on stage
and pianist David Budway launch in to "Bye Bye Blackbird"
At five minutes before midnight Seamus Blake and Orrin Evans are back with
Eric Revis, bass and Tain Watts to play a Monk piece. Good night!
Guitarist Peter Leitch is in the audience as is Becca Pulliam (JazzSet);
Judi Silvano, Russ Musto, Richie Seidel. The place is jammed.
John's sister Joyce is in New York from her home down south to be with John
while he's going through all of this. She was very moved by the show of
support and by the music. She told us all that her brother is a fighter and
he is determined to beat this illness.
We should all have him in our thoughts



If you would like, donations and kind wishes can be sent to:
John Stubblefield
163 Ludlow Street Apt #4B
New York City, NY 10002

As great as the evening was I hope we never have to do it again but if we do
it was so gratifying to see such an outpouring of love and support for a
valued member of our community.

Always Know,

Steve Schwartz
Jazz from Studio Four
Friday, 7p-midnight
WGBH 89.7FM, Boston
www.wgbh.org