Taking place in Boise, Idaho Saturday evening...
Official Press Release:
Our Friend, Janie Harris is a Breast Cancer survivor. She is the widow of the late great master jazz pianist Gene Harris. She is cancer free now after battling the disease for one year. Unfortunately, the insurance company Janie paid, ruled her cancer "pre-existing" and therefore will not pay anything towards her hospital bills which total hundreds of thousands of dollars. With no where else to turn, she has requested help from her friends. Please join us for a great evening of music to help a fantastic person!
Organized by pianist Paul Tillotson, who grew up under the tutelage of Harris' late husband, the concert is headlined by the protégé's trio, which features Jim Kassis on drums and Rod Wray on bass. Other musicians on the bill include Cherie Buckner, Billy Mitchell, Harry Lawless, Phil Batt, John Jones, The New Trio+, and Frim Fram Fellas, among others.
A cash-donation auction will be held midway through the concert with auctioneer Larry Flynn presiding. All proceeds from the auction and concert ticket sales will go toward Harris' medical bills. In Addition, donations can be made directly to her and sent to Janie Harris, 5699 Fortress Ct., Boise, ID 83703.
Thank you and we hope to see you on Sat. Aug 22nd at the Egyptian Theatre 700 W. Main St. at 8pm.
Tkts: 208-387-1273
Here is a little write up in the Boise Weekly
Gene Harris...
an incredible jazz man, and now sadly passed into the legion of greats. His widow, Janie, has kept his memory intact by working on theGene Harris Jazz Festival held annually in Boise Idaho where he retired.
As I type this up, I am brought to tears by watching "Critical Condition" on Bill Moyers Journal. I cannot understand how people can protest having health care for all, much less just the option of a Public Plan. I don't understand where all the people are that are affected by this. There are 47 million uninsured, as far as the numbers I hear go. Even if there were only 10 million uninsured, do these people not realize that if they were to march in the street we might actually get something done on this?
Do we have to keep having bake sales and benefits to help people? Musicians, particularly, have a difficult time with paying medical bills. My husband is constantly being asked to join one group or another to do a benefit for yet another musician who has cancer, or some other life threatening illness (which he does gladly).
We have to find a way to put voices to the people that are not being heard. I would do whatever it is to make this happen. I care.
I know that President's Obama mother died of cancer. I know he watched her fighting with the insurance companies. I know that Michelle Obama's good friend died of cancer and it changed her life. When bad things happen to good people it hurts us all. Am I naive to think that Barack and Michelle will fight for this, but they are fighting smartly because of what happened in 1993?
I hope so. In the meantime, here is another benefit for yet another person who cannot afford to pay medical bills. Shame on us all.