On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation and The Century Room celebrated the arrival of the new and very shiny YAMAHA S5 6′ 7″ piano with our community of donors. Arthur Vint, Artistic Director of The Century Room, thanked the donors for their generosity with a champagne toast — a ‘sparkling and bubbly’ show of appreciation for a mission accomplished. Entertainment featured Dr. Angelo Versace on the piano, Arthur Vint on the drums, Ed Friedland on the bass, and Max Goldschmid on the trumpet. The Tucson Jazz Institute Concord Combo also performed and their photos are at the end of this post. Photos by Sam Richie courtesy of Hotel Congress.
DONOR RECOGNITIONS
We sincerely thank the community of donors that came together to make this important high-end piano purchase possible. Fundraising became a shared mission by many with special recognition to Arthur Vint, Carolyn Pope, Scott Black, and Mark Slivinski. Certificates were presented to the following Phrase & Chord Sponsors: Carolyn & Steve Pope $10,000 for SO WHAT? by Miles Davis, Aida Castillo-Flores & Glenn Furnier $5000 for CARAVAN by Juan Tizol & Duke Ellington, and Mark & Carol Holladay $5000 for BUMPIN’ ON SUNSET by Wes Montgomery. We’d also like to acknowledge an anonymous corporate donor for $10,000.
Piano Key Sponsors
Eighteen individuals, families, or businesses donated at least $1000 to sponsor a piano key. Twenty-one keys were sponsored as of May 14th, 2024.
Thank you to Peter Akmajian, Anonymous (1 key), Anonymous (2 keys), Kathleen Benyak & Ray Klumb (2 keys), Timothy Bowers & Mary Theisen, Will Browne, Jed Eisenman/Village Vanguard, Christine & Mark Slivinski, Alan Hershowitz in loving memory of Yvonne Ervin, Barbara Farmilant, Linda Fulgenzi & Jeannette Siegel, Linda Fulgenzi, Francis Family: David, Karen & Nina; Elliot & Lorraine Glicksman, Lauri Kay, Robert & Kelly Lambert, DESERT VINYL RECORDS, Alan & Janet Stein, and Adam Weinstein & Kira Dixon-Weinstein.
Donors contributing under $1000
Twenty-five individuals or families were inspired to give. Three donors were anonymous, Connie Brannock, Jonathan Todd Brown & Eve Goldfarb, Paul Green, Elisa Farmilant & Steven Justin, Steve Goldschmid, Herbert & Colette Gramm, Ellen Hartline, Ira & Janet Hirsh, Jeff Lewis, Michael & Marjorie Lipson, Janice Marks, Sandra Maxfield, Mary Jo McMullen, Cassandra Meynard, Steven Rachbach & Maureen Oskandy, Terry & Denise Plaza, Kate & Ian Robey, Peter & Janine Saxe, Eugene Taschuk, Christine Walsh, Frances Whitfield & Brent McFarland, and Leigh Weisshaupt.
INKIND DONATIONS
We would like to acknowledge those who contributed their service, staff, space, food and beverages for the 88 Keys Campaign fundraiser held on Sunday, April 14, 2024, and organized by Arthur Vint & Carolyn Pope, and the Piano Reveal party.
Hotel Congress/The Century Room for donating their space, staff and appetizers (The Cup) for our two celebrations: the 88 Keys Campaign Fundraiser and the Piano Reveal Party, and photographer Sam Richie at the Reveal Party.
Musicians Armen Donelian, Dr. Angelo Versace, Peter Saxe, Scott Black, Arthur Vint, the TJI Jazz Jam Combo, the TJI Concord Combo, Chris Pena, Colin McIlrath, and Kenji Lancaster. Sonoran Wines. Photos at the 88 Keys Campaign Fundraiser and of TJI students by Krystyna Parafinczuk.
TJI JAZZ JAM & CONCORD COMBOS
