All that Jazz Extravaganza to Benefit Miami Children's Hospital

Feb. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- Contacts:

Maria M. Flores: 305-237-3559

Director of Marketing and Communications

New World School of the Arts

Dean of Music: Milton R. Laufer, 305-237-3539

For immediate release: February 5, 2013

PLANET DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP FIAT TO HOST

NEW WORLD SCHOOL OF THE ARTS FIRST ‘ALL THAT JAZZ’ EXTRAVAGANZA

FEATURING THE NWSA AWARD-WINNING JAZZ ENSEMBLE

ACCOMPANIED BY GUEST VOCALIST BRENDA ALFORD

TO BENEFIT MIAMI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL CRANIOFACIAL CENTER

Event will be held at Planet Dodge Chrysler Jeep Fiat Studios in Doral

February 21st, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Miami –As part of its Planet Gives Campaign, Planet Dodge Chrysler Jeep Fiat, announced that it will host New World School of the Arts (NWSA)’ first ‘All that Jazz’ concert, directed by NWSA Professor of Jazz Studies, Jim Gasior. The evening will feature the award-winning NWSA High School Jazz Ensemble accompanied by guest professional vocalist/composer Brenda Alford. Guests will enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, and big band jazz and will have the opportunity to take home a myriad of fantastic prizes, including Miami Heat tickets for the ultimate sports fan, airfare for two to an exotic destination abroad or many other items, during the silent auction.  The fundraising extravaganza will benefit the Miami Children’s Hospital Craniofacial Center.

ALL THAT JAZZ takes place at Planet Dodge Chrysler Jeep/Planet Fiat on Thursday, February 21, 2013, from 8 PM to 11 PM. 9975 N.W. 12th Street, Miami, FL 33172. Tickets for the event are $60 per person (Tables of 10 can also be reserved). For more information on events, sponsorships or ticket information, please call (786) 537-1956 or email julie@objectivegroup.net.

NWSA ‘All that Jazz’ concert, will be its first of the series, which was formed together with, Ari’s Ray of Light, a non-for-profit organization that produces events in order to raise funds for Miami Children’s Hospital Craniofacial Center.  

“As part of our Planet Gives Campaign, we felt it was an exceptional opportunity for us to create a partnership with Ari’s Ray of Light. This is an organization that is diligent about creating magnificent events while raising money for the patients of Miami Children’s Hospital Craniofacial Center,” says Carlos Rodriguez, General Manager of Planet Dodge Chrysler Jeep Fiat, which recently launched, its Planet Gives campaign, a new initiative created to help local charities and schools throughout the 2013 year, while promoting the arts.

“We are truly excited to be having the first ‘All that Jazz’ concert series together with these amazing organizations, we are grateful to have the opportunity to be working together with them” says professor Gasior. “Our students have been working really hard at putting a fantastic ensemble together so we are eager to showcase their talent and hard work, at the same time that we help raise money for a wonderful cause.”  

“We are very pleased that NWSA chose our charity event to begin ‘All that Jazz,’ concert series, adds Carlos Rodriguez, General Sales Manager of Planet Dodge Chrysler Jeep Fiat. “We hope that this is the beginning of a great relationship, especially being that we are strong supporters of education, the arts and helping raise awareness for great causes in the community, this is a very good fit for all of us.”

Brenda Alford is a graduate of the University of Miami Frost School of Music.  An acclaimed jazz singer/composer in her own right, she has the distinction of being one of a very few vocalists ever to record with renown jazz legend Horace Silver on the esteemed Blue Note Record Label.  A versatile performer, Brenda works in a wide range of settings, from a capella to, most recently, a sixty-piece orchestra. She is originally from Baltimore, the city with the rich musical legacies of Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway, Frank Zappa, and the musical genius of jazz pianist, Cyrus Chestnut, with whom she worked there for several years.  She has shared the stage with a plethora of other jazz legends over the years including Horace Silver, Slide Hampton, Tommy Flanagan, Joe Donato, Jesse Jones, Jr., Pete Minger, Keter Betts, Philly Joe Jones, Stanley Turrentine, and more.  Ella Fitzgerald personally convinced Brenda to become a professional vocalist.

Brenda is also a dedicated elementary school teacher, highly respected as a skilled veteran in the education community. She currently resides in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and enjoys her musical career as well as a rewarding teaching career with t­he Miami-Dade County School System. She is happy doing two things that she truly loves, teaching children and making music.  According to Al Kanofsky of Jazz and Blues Magazine, “Brenda’s voice and demeanor reflect the joy of life she feels.”

Under the direction of professor Jim Gasior, director of NWSA’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band, numerous jazz students have been recognized on a national scale.  Among their most recent honors, the Jazz Ensemble participated in the Thelonious Monk Institute national Peer-To-Peer Jazz Education Program, joining other students from across the nation. The NWSA Jazz Ensemble has also received top honors among 110 competing bands in the prestigious Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival. In addition, these fine jazz musicians had the honor of representing South Florida as they participated in Jazz Studio, a music series initiative held at The White House several years ago.

New World School of the Arts is Florida's premier center of excellence in the visual and performing arts. As a conservatory, NWSA develops talented students in the areas of dance, music, theater and visual arts from the ninth grade in high school through a Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor in Music college degree. NWSA offers a solid artistic program headed by some of the finest award winning faculty members recognized worldwide. More information about NWSA’s music program is available at nwsa.mdc.edu (http://nwsa.mdc.edu/splash.html) or by calling the music hotline at 305-237-7855.

This event was directed by Ari’s Ray of Light, an organization that helps raise funds for Miami Children’s Hospital Craniofacial Center together with presenting sponsor Planet Dodge Chrysler Jeep Fiat. Additional supporting sponsors include Barefoot Wines, Stage Coast Productions, JAXI Builders, Inc., ADPro Car wraps & Signs, Event Rentals an uncommon rental showroom, REM Creative and Ralph’s Catering.

In November, 2012, Planet Dodge Chrysler Jeep launched its Planet Gives Campaign, which was a community initiative created to help local charities and schools, while promoting art and educational programs in Miami. For more information on events, sponsorships or ticket info. call (786) 537-1956 or email julie@objectivegroup.net.

Media Contact: Veronica Villegas, (305) 905-5440, LOVVillegas@aol.com