[JPL] Help for Down and Out Musicians

[Jazz Promo Services]

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=5744387

Eyewitness News
(New York - WABC, November 5, 2007) - Making a living as a musician can be
tough -- and it's even harder when you fall on hard times. An organization
here in New York City is helping musicians across the country.

Eyewitness News reporter Lauren Glassberg has the story.

Musicians go from gig to gig to make a living and sometimes, in between
those engagements, tragedy or crisis can strike. And many don't have money
or help to fall back on. That's where the Jazz Foundation comes into play.
Davell Crawford has sung this song many times. But after Katrina the words
about being down and out became his reality. Help ultimately came from a
woman he didn't even know.
That woman was Wendy Oxenhorn. Wendy heads up the New York-based Jazz
Foundation, which help musicians in times of crisis.
It was there for Odetta when she was hospitalized for a broken hip. They
also paid her mortgage while she was ill -- and Odetta is thrilled to sing
their praises.

The foundation has been around for nearly 20 years. But since Katrina the
case load increased exponentially.
The foundation depends on donations and is encouraged along by the passion
behind the music.
Meanwhile, Wendy is hoping that one day the foundation will be able to build
a residential center for retired musicians where they can live out their
final days and continue performing together and for school groups.