Evening Sunrise: A Night of Jazz, Blues and Soul

Sponsored by The Tank Theater, Elaina & Friends Presents:

Evening Sunrise: A Night of Jazz, Blues & Soul.

A Benefit Concert for Children With Cancer and Their Siblings.

Join us for a beautiful evening of music at The Tank Theater to benefit the Sunrise Association, an organization aiming to bring back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings. Sunrise offers day camps, year-round programs and in-hospital recreational activities free of charge to children worldwide.

Executive Producer, Elaina has a deep and personal connection to Sunrise Day Camp. After Elaina’s son Delton was diagnosed with leukemia, he attended Sunrise Day Camp - Long Island in the summer of 2007, the last summer of his life. “Sunrise gave Delton a renewed sense of joy and hope that we thought we’d never again see in him following his diagnosis,” recalls Elaina. “Sunrise gave Delton back what cancer had taken away, his childhood. Even now, years after Delton’s passing, Sunrise remains in our hearts, and we are deeply committed to supporting them and spreading awareness of all the wonderful things they are doing for children with cancer and their siblings.”

In addition to singer-songwriter Elaina (Fiddler on the Roof), Evening Sunrise will feature pianist-composer Yovanne Pierre (Ain't’ Nobody’s Business If I Do) as Music Director, and performances by 2014 Apollo Theater Amateur Night Winner Jewlz, Shawn Fitzgerald, Brother NorthStar (Joe Turner’s Come and Gone), Shaka (Times Square’s Rum Room), Angelisha "Trumpetess" Rodgers (BET's Black Girls Rock), Drummer, Ron Smith and Bassist, Mark Bass (Goddess City). The concert is produced in collaboration with Sunrise Day Camp, to support and raise awareness of the Sunrise Association.

Net Proceeds Benefit Sunrise Day Camps.

Visit Sunrise Association.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Jewlz, Performer. Jewlz is a singer-songwriter and 2014 Apollo Amateur Night winner. A dynamic performer heralded for her soulfulness and natural funk, Jewlz has appeared at The Village Underground, Farafina, Sugar Bar, The Bitterend, Red Lion, and S.O.B’s. She released her debut music video, "MISERY GAME," on Youtube.com/jewlzvideos, a collaborative work with hip-hop artist KANDYMAN. Jewlz can be found in TV/film, writing music with fellow artists and in the studio working on a new project.www.jewlzsparkles.com

Brother NorthStar, Performer. Brother NorthStar is an accomplished and versatile singer, dancer and actor. He studied jazz and blues for several years in the Jazz Mobile program with Emmy and Grammy Award-winning pianist-composer Dr. Billy Taylor and legendary jazz drummer, percussionist Max Roach. He worked as a singer and dancer with world-renowned saxophonist Archie Shepp. Brother NorthStar has been cast in lead theater roles, with his most notable in August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” and "The Story of Charlie Parker." Today, Brother NorthStar can be found singing jazz in the New York area with pianist aficionado Yovanne Pierre.

Shawn Fitzgerald, Performer. Shawn Fitzgerald is a captivating vocalist who explores and channels sounds ranging from jazz to blues to world music. Fitzgerald has performed as background vocalist for Grammy Award-nominated songstress Ledisi and is the former vocalist for Ajoyo, a world music band influenced by indigenous sounds, language, and jazz grooves from West and North Africa. He has performed in venues such as the United Nations for the International Francophonie Day celebration, the French Embassy, Nublu, and the Shrine. Shawn has studied under the direction of San Francisco based vocalist and instrumentalist Jesse Foster, Kamaria Ousley, and most recently, Marion Cowings. Shawn is currently the vocalist for jazz quintet, The Rivas Ramsay Collective and can be found in numerous venues in New York City such as Nuyorican's Poet's Cafe, Silvana and the Shapeshifter Lab. shawn-sings.com

Shaka, Performer. Shaka is a gifted singer and skilled instrumentalist on the trumpet, harmonica, djembe and conga drums. Celebrated for his penetrating, bluesy vocals, Shaka has worked with the likes of Judd Neilson, Melvin Vines, Lou Reid, Sam Greshin and Lucy Gallagher. He has appeared at the Edison Hotel, 449, American Legion Post, Paris Blues and recently on Cablevision’s Lady Bird Sunshine Show. Shaka currently has monthly shows performing in Times Square’s Rum Room.

Angeleisha Rodgers, Trumpet. Angeleisha is rapidly making her mark as one of today's most sought after trumpet players. Known as the “Trumpetess,” Angeleisha has performed with Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Tye Tribbett and was a featured musician in BET's Black Girls Rock 2013, performing with Janelle Monae. Rodgers performed with pianist Bertha Hope (wife of legendary composer Elmo Hope), at the historic Minton's Playhouse and with bassist Kim Clarke in the 12th Annual Ladies Got Chops: Women's History Month Music and Arts Festival. Rodgers traveled with Kim Burrell on the Freshly Orchestrated Christmas tour and last performed with Grammy Award-winning gospel artist, Pastor Donnie McClurkin. Angelisha currently works in the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s education department. about.me/trumpetessmusic

Fima Chupakhin, Piano. Fima is a celebrated jazz pianist hailing from Ukraine. In 2012, Fima was awarded the world prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to pursue his studies in the United States of America. Chupakhin holds two master's degrees in Jazz Studies, one from William Paterson University of New Jersey and the other, from Kharkiv State University of Arts (Ukraine). At William Paterson, Chupakhin has been shaping his unique style under the leadership of the highly praised pianist James Weidman, and other great musicians including Armen Donelian, Steve LaSpina, Vincent Herring, Rich Perry and the legendary pianist Mulgrew Miller. Fima can be found performing throughout the city with his jazz quartet, Brown House.

Ron Smith, Drums. Ron is a drummer, percussionist who comes from a rich musical background by way of his great-uncle, legendary jazz pianist-composer Theolonious Monk. Smith began playing drums at the age of 3, and in 2006, began arranging music. In 2014, he received his Bachelor of Science in Music from CUNY Lehman College. Ron’s most notable performance was appearing in Johnny Pacheco Latin and Jazz Music Festival in November 2013, playing alongside world famous vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. On April 6th, 2015, Smith performed in a sold-out tribute concert to Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key Of Life" at the world famous B.B. King's. Ron can be found performing various styles of music with the 15-piece band he co-founded, DATFunK!

Mark Bass, Bassist. Mark is an accomplished musician, producer, and music engineer whose music embraces a variety of genres such as jazz, blues, gospel, R&B, reggae and Latin. His talents have led to opening for such artists as the “Ivory Queen of Soul,” Teena Marie and Grammy Award-winning R&B singer, Freddie Jackson. Bass has appeared in the theater productions of “Goddess City” at the Schomburg Center and in the Off-Off Broadway production of “Dreamgirls.” Mark can be found working on reggae and gospel projects in his recording studio, Bass Productions.