MEDIA RELEASE                                                                February 27, 2007

For Immediate Publication

JAZZ  ICON DAVE BRUBECK HEADLINES

BENEFIT CONCERT IN DURHAM, CT MAY 19

WALLINGFORD, CT—Legendary pianist and composer Dave Brubeck and his jazz quartet will perform in a once-in-a-lifetime benefit concert Saturday, May 19 in the Julian B. Thayer Auditorium at Coginchaug Regional High School in Durham. Other Connecticut celebrities have also volunteered to be part of this evening of music and giving, which begins at 6 p.m.

This rare Connecticut concert is the kick-off for Jazz’d 4 Life, a new non-profit organization whose goal is to raise funds to benefit youth around the world by staging entertainment events. Jazz’d 4 Life is led by board members Catherine Brubeck Yaghsizian, Dave Brubeck’s daughter, and her husband Arne Yaghsizian, of Wallingford, with businessman Anthony Rinaldo of Middlefield and Lata Chawla, president of Performance Edge.

“Our concept for Jazz’d 4 Life is to serve as a vehicle to raise money to help young children on a local, national and international level,” said Rinaldo.

Rinaldo announced that Jazz’d 4 Life has selected Stamford-based AmeriCares, an international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, to receive proceeds from the May 19 concert, explaining that AmeriCares also operates domestic programs supporting Connecticut families, including: free clinics in Bridgeport, Danbury and Norwalk; Camp AmeriKids for children affected by HIV/AIDS; and Homefront.

Jazz’d 4 Life will also donate to Camp Farnam, which brings New Haven children to Durham for a rural camp experience every summer, to Coginchaug Scholarship Fund, and to a K-12 school building project in Les Cayes, Haiti. The Yaghsizians have been involved in humanitarian work in Haiti and Kenya for several years.

Chris Lemmon, actor, writer, producer and son of the late actor Jack Lemmon, will be master of ceremonies for the inaugural concert May 19. “I’m an enormous Dave Brubeck fan,” said Lemmon.  “I think he’s a genius, and the concept behind Jazz’d 4 Life is terrific.” Lemmon’s recent book, A Twist of Lemmon, about his famous father, has been earning rave reviews.

Dr. Mel Goldstein, the popular meteorologist for WTNH Channel 8 and also a Jazz’d4Life Board member, will host a VIP reception at 8 p.m. following the concert at the historic Lyman Homestead in Middlefield. Lemmon and Goldstein recently filmed a 30-second public service announcement, which will begin airing on Channel 8 in March.

Brubeck, 86, a world-renowned musician since the 1950’s, has enjoyed a long and successful career. He continues to perform regularly, and has released countless albums with hits like “Take Five” and “Blue Rondo a la Turk,” He has toured the world several times. Brubeck was the first jazz figure to ever make the cover of Time magazine.

Tickets for the May 19 benefit show are available now, at prices ranging from $75 to $150.  Purchase online at www.jazzed4life.org or by calling 800/476-8394. A limited number of tickets will be sold to the after-party VIP reception. For package prices, call Anthony Rinaldo at 860/989-9546.

For information, interviews, and feature story opportunities, please contact our board members:

Catherine Brubeck Yaghsizian           203/410-5190

Arne Yaghsizian                                 203/410-5190

Anthony Rinaldo                                860/989-9543

Lata Chawla, Performance Edge        860/505-7251

Dr. Mel Goldstein, WTNH                 860/784-8836

Or email:                                             This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it