Event at Connie’s loft | part 1

When Connie told me that she was planning this benefit for her friend Bonnie Garcia and who was going to play that day I immediately said: I’m booking a flight, I’ll be there. Even though I had just visited NYC in August this was a good excuse to experience Autumn in New York. Then she asked if I might like to read some poems with her Quartet and that cemented my plans. — Mark Weber

November 16, 2o14 -- Studio 410 at 475 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY -- photo by  Mark Weber -- note the paintings by Jeff Schlanger on the wall

November 16, 2o14 — Studio 410 at 475 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY — photo by Mark Weber — note the paintings by Jeff Schlanger on the wall

Connie Crothers and Charley Krachy -- November 16, 2o14 -- photo by Mark Weber

Connie Crothers and Charley Krachy — November 16, 2o14 — photo by Mark Weber

Kazzrie Jaxen Quartet -- November 16, 2o14 -- Bill Chattin (note: these are his cymbals but  not his drums); Kazzrie, piano; Charley Krachy, tenor; Don Messina, bass -- photo by Mark Weber

Kazzrie Jaxen Quartet — November 16, 2o14 — Bill Chattin (note: these are his cymbals but not his drums); Kazzrie, piano; Charley Krachy, tenor; Don Messina, bass — photo by Mark Weber

Virg Dzuriniko on Connie's piano -- November 16, 2o14 -- photo by Mark Weber

Virg Dzuriniko on Connie’s piano — November 16, 2o14 — photo by Mark Weber

Adam Caine and Carol Liebowitz -- November 16, 2o14 -- photo by Mark Weber

Adam Caine and Carol Liebowitz — November 16, 2o14 — photo by Mark Weber

Kazzrie Jaxen playing Connie's piano -- November 16, 2o14 -- photo by Mark Weber

Kazzrie Jaxen playing Connie’s piano — November 16, 2o14 — photo by Mark Weber

Roger Mancuso -- November 16, 2o14 ---- photo by Mark Weber -- Roger is the drummer on Connie's first  album PERCEPTION, he lives on the Jersey Shore and takes the train up to Connie's in Williamsburg  on a weekly basis for sessions, we're still hoping recordings exist from when he was in Lennie Tristano's  group

Roger Mancuso — November 16, 2o14 —- photo by Mark Weber — Roger is the drummer on Connie’s first album PERCEPTION, he lives on the Jersey Shore and takes the train up to Connie’s in Williamsburg on a weekly basis for sessions, we’re still hoping recordings exist from when he was in Lennie Tristano’s group

Anna Diorio ---- November 16, 2o14 -- photo by Mark Weber -- Anna sang a tremendous version of "Foolin' Myself" with Nick Lyons, alto; Kazzrie, piano; and Lena Bloch, tenor

Anna Diorio —- November 16, 2o14 — photo by Mark Weber — Anna sang a tremendous version of “Foolin’ Myself” with Nick Lyons, alto; Kazzrie, piano; and Lena Bloch, tenor

Kazzrie Jaxen and Joe Solomon and Alexa Fila -- November 16, 2o14 -- Joe is the bassist on Connie's first  album PERCEPTION back in 1974 ------ photo by Mark Weber

Kazzrie Jaxen and Joe Solomon and Alexa Fila — November 16, 2o14 — Joe is the bassist on Connie’s first album PERCEPTION back in 1974 —— photo by Mark Weber

The bassoonist Claire de Brunner -- November 16, 2o14 -- photo by Mark Weber

The bassoonist Claire de Brunner — November 16, 2o14 — photo by Mark Weber

Mark Gabriele and Kazzrie Jaxen -- November 16, 2o14 -- photo by Mark Weber -- MG lives in  Wellfleet on Cape Cod and is a pianist (go to Carol Liebowitz's webpage for a 4-handed piano  track of him and Carol) and also an author, his latest book was illustrated by Kazzrie with her  pastels especially done for the book

Mark Gabriele and Kazzrie Jaxen — November 16, 2o14 — photo by Mark Weber — MG lives in Wellfleet on Cape Cod and is a pianist (go to Carol Liebowitz’s webpage for a 4-handed piano track of him and Carol) and also an author, his latest book was illustrated by Kazzrie with her pastels especially done for the book

Nick Lyons, alto saxophone duet with Birgitta Flick, from Berlin on tenor -- November 16, 2o14 -- photo by Mark Weber ---- Birgitta is a student of Connie's

Nick Lyons, alto saxophone duet with Birgitta Flick, from Berlin on tenor — November 16, 2o14 — photo by Mark Weber —- Birgitta is a student of Connie’s

Bill Chattin, Charley Krachy, Don Messina, Jimmy Halperin -- November 16, 2o14 -- photo by Mark Weber

Bill Chattin, Charley Krachy, Don Messina, Jimmy Halperin — November 16, 2o14 — photo by Mark Weber

Virg was ecstatic after Kazzrie's Quartet finished and went around hugging them -- November 16, 2o14 -- photo by Mark Weber

Virg was ecstatic after Kazzrie’s Quartet finished and went around hugging them — November 16, 2o14 — photo by Mark Weber

Gleb Vascenko, alto saxophone; Lena Bloch, tenor saxophone -- Bach 2-part inventions -- November 16, 2o14 -- photo by Mark Weber ----- Lena is visiting from Russia and staying as long as she can

Gleb Vascenko, alto saxophone; Lena Bloch, tenor saxophone — Bach 2-part inventions — November 16, 2o14 — photo by Mark Weber —– Lena is visiting from Russia and staying as long as she can

Ken Filiano reviewing one of my poems before we hit  (Nick Lyons with hat) -- November 16, 2o14 -- photo by  Mark Weber  -- (note Claire's cast-boot in bottom of frame)

Ken Filiano reviewing one of my poems before we hit (Nick Lyons with hat) — November 16, 2o14 — photo by Mark Weber — (note Claire’s cast-boot in bottom of frame)

BENEFIT CONCERT FOR BONNIE GARCIA

Four sets

  • Connie Crothers, Richard Tabnik, Roger Mancuso, Ken Filiano with poet Mark Weber
  • Carol Liebowitz / Adam Caine Duo
  • Virg Dzurinko
  • Kazzrie Jaxen Quartet

Open jam session to follow performances. Sunday November 16th, from 3:00 to 10:00. Connie’s loft, 475 Kent Avenue, #410 • Brooklyn NY | 718-302-4377 | Minimum donation $20

Painter and improvising musician Bonnie Garcia is the definition of life energy. Thirty years ago, while living in New York and studying piano with Connie Crothers, Bonnie was diagnosed with cancer and given three to six months to live. Rather than give in to despair, she decided to fight. And from that moment until today, Bonnie has had only one goal — to live every minute of her life as fully as possible and express that life through her art. Against all odds, and in addition to holding down all sorts of jobs to support herself, Bonnie has continued to paint and study music for the past three decades, all the while battling an increasingly devastating illness. And through it all, she has never once complained or asked for sympathy. She is an astonishing human being and an inspiration to all who know her.

In Bonnie’s own words:

The serious health challenges I have had forced me to live in the moment … This moment-to-moment living spills over into my painting and allows me to discover for myself, and help others discover, feelings we didn’t know we had, thereby opening ourselves up to a deeper understanding of life.

This concert, with a jam session to follow, is being held to raise money to help Bonnie with her medical expenses, which is why we are asking for a minimum donation of $20. And of course, anything above that amount will be greatly appreciated. (If you cannot attend the concert but wish to make a donation, you can send a check made out to Bonnie Garcia. Please mail checks to Connie Crothers, 475 Kent Avenue, #410, Brooklyn, New York 11249.)

There will also be a raffle, with tickets costing $5 each. The lucky winner will take home a basket filled with CDs, a good bottle of wine, and various other treats.

Performances will start roughly on the hour, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Feel free to add to your donation by bringing along some food or beverages. To read more of Bonnie’s words and see examples of her paintings: http://edgeart.org/bgarcia

2 Comments

  1. Lena Bloch

    Just wanted to add, I am not from Russia, I was born there, lived in Israel, Holland, Germany and came to the US in 2003 for my Master’s. I live in NYC since 2008.
    I have an Israeli citizenship.

  2. Charley Krachy

    Beautiful job, Mark putting this together and your poem readings….It was an incredible day to be among so many friends..The love for Bonnie in the room was intense…This day will stay with me for a long long time…charley

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