Big Band Ball II
Thank you to all the supporters who attended the Rona Barrett Foundation’s BIG BAND BALL II held on Oct. 6, 2018. Donors enjoyed a reception, dinner, LIVE AUCTION and music provided by the legendary Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. The evening also honored Susan Weber with the first-ever GIVING HEART AWARD. The gala raised funds to support affordable housing and services for vulnerable senior citizens & for the development of Harry’s House, a planned home for those in need in of memory care and assisted living.
THE AFTERGLOW FROM THE JULY 8TH BENEFIT CONCERT AT THE LOBERO
LEGENDARY COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA AND JAZZ ICON PAULA COLE KICK OFF FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR RONA BARRETT FOUNDATION’S “HARRY’S HOUSE AT THE GOLDEN INN & VILLAGE”
Santa Ynez, CA – July 10, 2017 — Over five hundred jazz aficionados filled Santa Barbara’s historic Lobero Theatre this past weekend to celebrate one of America’s most honored jazz ensembles and to launch the fundraising campaign of the Rona Barrett Foundation’s new “Harry’s House at the Golden Inn & Village” – A new affordable housing and wellness services project at The Golden Inn & Village.
Rona Barrett, the pioneering initiator of television entertainment news coverage whose style, consummate journalism, humor and wit set high bars for the industry she created, evoked tears, laughter and commitment as she told the story of how she came to dedicate her life to this new model of dignified life for a neglected part of our population.
The evening’s parade of standing ovations began with her revelation of the dreams she, her staff and board of directors are bringing to reality –at the Golden Inn and Village, a campus in Santa Ynez, which will soon begin development of its Phase II.
Under the baton of Music Director Scotty Barnhart, the legendary Count Basie Orchestra riveted the responsive audience with performance continuing the greatest tradition of jazz orchestral brilliance. Adding vocal astonishments were guest vocalist and Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, Paula Cole and the ensemble’s vocalist Carmen Bradford who had personally been discovered and developed by the group’s founder, Count Basie.
Achieving full fundraising target, the evening reminded the audience that American philanthropic compassion and the world-changing brilliance of American orchestral jazz are as alive and well as ever.
The Count Basie Orchestra has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once; won 18 Grammy Awards; performed for Kings and Queens and royalty around the globe; appeared in several movies, television shows and at every major festival and major concert hall in the world. As Ms. Barrett pointed out “Under the leadership of Mr. Barnhart, the Count Basie Orchestra, continuing the virtuoso genius of each musician, is traveling the world and continuing its tradition of being the most explosive force in jazz.” Ms. Cole, Grammy Award winner and a seven time nominee, recently celebrated her 20th anniversary as a Jazz great with the release of her sixth solo album, “Raven.” Next month, Ms. Cole will release her seventh, “Ballads.”
Media Contact:
Tony Morris
The Rona Barrett Foundation
805.688.8887 Tel
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