Home » Jazz News » Performance / Tour

132

A Benefit for Della Griffin Friday February 11 St. Peter's Church 7 PM - 10:00 PM

Source:

Sign in to view read count
A Benefit for Della Griffin: One of the first women jazz drummers & legendary Harlem singers: Together ... Let's rebuild her house. Della, now in her 80's, has not only been a great performer, but over the years, she also raised over 40 foster kids in this house and still continues to do so!

Friday Night February 11 7 PM - 10:00 PM St. Peter's Church 619 Lexington Avenue NYC (Southeast corner of 54th Street & Lexington Ave.) “A Great little Night in St. Peter's"

Performers & appearances include: Legends: Gloria Lynne ("I Wish You Love", “Watermelon Man" “I'm Glad there's You") Irene Reid (Legendary Harlem Singer) Houston Person Stanley Banks Melvin Sparks (The father of Acid Jazz, returning from tour, will try to make it) Earl May Gloria Coleman (singer/organist) Ray Shinnery Jimmy Norman of the Coasters, (Jimmy also wrote “Time Is On My Side" by the Rolling Stones, played with Jimi Hendrix, wrote with Bob Marley) Danny Mixon Buddy Henry Tootsie Bean Cobi Narita (Founder of International Women in Jazz) Danny Moore Paula “Stix" Hampton Bill Saxton Fred Staton (Dakota's brother on sax, he's turning 90 this weekend!) rare performances by some of the real deal legends... with more names to come... Speakers: Cobi Narita, Mayor Bud Davis, Jarrett lilien, Wendy Oxenhorn Tickets available at the door: suggested donation $20 (or whatever you can afford) ... *If you want to make a contribution: Please make all tax deductible donations to: The Jazz Foundation of America 322 West 48th Street 3rd floor NYC 10036 ATT: Della's Benefit or call 212-245-3999 IMPORTANT UPDATE: A contractor is starting to renovate her home after the fire. Unfortunately, with the terrible weather, the pipes froze, causing leaks and radiators to crack and the job will be more expensive then it had to be, so we need everyone's help on this one. And if all goes well, Della and her kids will be back “home" just weeks after the benefit. xox, Wendy Press references: 1. Top story on NBC News http://wnbc.feedroom.com/iframeset.jsp?ord=645530 2. Daily News Article: Fire leaves jazz great with a house of blues BY JONATHAN LEMIRE DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Displaced Della Griffin, foster mom to many, gets hugs from foster “grandkids" Briona and Ashley, both 11. Della Griffin's voice is gorgeous enough to evoke Billie Holiday, and her heart big enough to take in more than a dozen foster children.

But now the elderly jazz legend who thrilled crowds at the Apollo Theater and sang with Count Basie's band needs help herself.

A fire ripped through her Westchester house in Mount Vernon on Dec. 17, leaving her homeless for the holidays. Though anxious to find a home - she's staying with one of her former foster kids in Mount Vernon - Griffin isn't letting the blaze melt her generous spirit, or make her miss her regular gig next month at a Yonkers jazz club.

“Music brings me great joy. It always makes me smile," she said. “I miss my home and its memories, but I have faith that the [foster] kids and I will be taken care of."

Griffin says she is “80-something" but doesn't know her exact age because both her parents were illiterate and no records were kept when she was born in Jamaica, Queens.

She moved to Harlem to take part in its thriving music scene and carved out a niche as one of the country's first female jazz drummers.

Griffin played at the Apollo with the Platters, the Dell Tones and shared the stage with a who's who of jazz and blues singers, including Etta Jones.

She also became the best of friends with the original “Angel of Harlem" - Billie Holiday. “After Billie died, her husband would visit every week to hear me sing, because I reminded him of her," Griffin said before breaking into a jaw-dropping version of “Some Other Spring."

Over the years she's taken in more than 40 children, who have grown up and had kids who also have found a home with her. At the time of the fire, nine people - including three great-foster kids - were staying with Aunt Della.

The blaze began when Griffin's 6-year-old foster child accidentally kicked over a candle. The blaze and water damage caused more than $15,000 worth of damage, and Griffin's homeowner's insurance had lapsed three months ago, said Wendy Oxenhorn of the Jazz Foundation of America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to taking care of elderly jazz and blues musicians.

The Jazz Foundation plans to hold a benefit concert for Griffin early in 2005 - similar to ones Griffin has played over the years for fellow musicians.

For more information about the concert or to make a donation, call the Jazz Foundation at (212) 245-3999. Originally published on December 26, 2004

For more information contact .

Comments

Tags

News

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.