The "Englishman" is back in New York, as Sting performs with eight-time Grammy winner Christian McBride in a momentous fundraising event for Jazz House Kids (JHK), a nationally recognized education and performance non-profit, last Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the Ralph Pucci International's NYC gallery.
This event was first announced last Feb. 27.
A Night of Celebrating Jazz's Importance in the Community
Raising just about $800,000 in a spectacular night of jazz, the duo performed some of The Police's former frontman's most beloved classics like "Roxanne," "Moon Over Bourbon Street," "Walking On the Moon," "Message in a Bottle" and "Every Breath You Take."
The event saw over 200 guests mingling and grooving to jazzy tunes and also featured an opening performance from the Jazz House's Soulful Voices Choir, comprised of talented pupils from both its Montclair and New York programs, singing their gorgeous take on the 17-time Grammy winner's "Fields of Gold" and "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic."
For the finale, Sting and McBride called JHK's choir and instrumentalists to hop back on stage in an ensemble performance of the rock icon's poignant introspective track, "Fragile."
A long-standing supporter of the Jazz House's mission to nurture the next generation of musicians, Sting similarly possesses a passion for advancing the institutional movement of jazz and exercising its transformative and educational capabilities for the benefit of the community.
Of JHK's event, Sting said: "I'd like to offer my appreciation for the important work you are doing, a gift to our community and also the entire world, the gift of music."
"They say that music education is usually the first thing that is cut when there are cuts," he added. "It's not some frivolous extra, it's so important for kids to play music."
Read Also : A Retrospective on the Best Oscar-Winning Scores in the Last Decade Ahead of the 2024 Academy Awards
The Jazz House Kids' Annual Ralph Pucci Jazz Set
This annual, one-night-only event sees Ralph Pucci International's 30,000-square-foot NYC headquarters transform into an immaculate jazz club that features a unique special guest performance each year.
Last Wednesday's jazz set was its 8th overall iteration welcoming Sting as the guest performer, aside from him, however, the event has also featured iconic artists like Norah Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Laurie Anderson, Gregory Porter, John Pizzarelli and Esperanza Spalding.
The annual jazz set has accumulated nearly $2 million for the organization since its inauguration eight years ago.
All of these funds that have been raised allow the non-profit organization to further help the achievement gap and drooping graduation rates in educational institutions through its year-long music programs, classes, and private lessons.
"I'm so glad Sting was able to join us for this year's annual Ralph Pucci Jazz Set to benefit Jazz House Kids," said McBride. "He is a dear friend of mine and someone full of knowledge and wisdom."
"I am sure I speak for Sting when I say how music has defined and transformed our lives, beyond our wildest dreams," he continued. "I personally know the power it has in the lives of young people, especially those who might not otherwise have access to such enriching experiences that many take for granted."
Echoing McBride's sentiment, the event's host Ralph Pucci himself spoke of the non-profit and its mission, saying, "I believe Jazz House Kids is a brilliant and important organization and I'm pleased to help raise funds to nurture jazz for the next generation."
