Presents
JUST A PIANO OPEN MIC: A 2ND BENEFIT FOR HAITI
Special Guests
Recording Artist: Alyson Williams
(Hit Single: ”Just Call My Name”)
Caron Wheeler of Soul II Soul
(Hit Single: ”Keep On Movin’”)
And the Legendary
Mercedes Ellington
(Sophisticated Ladies)
With
April Nixon (Smokey Joe’s Cafe), Natasha Yvette Williams (The Color Purple), Aziza Miller (Musical Director for Natalie Cole/Teacher of Alicia Keys ), Carmen Ruby Floyd (Avenue Q), Kent Drake (Former Apollo MC), Cary Gant (Motown Café), Jeremy Cole (Showtime at the Apollo), Anthony Wayne (A Chorus Line), Antoine LaMonte Smith (National Tour of Cats), Darryl Calmese (AIDA), Keith Fluitt (Hott Feet),
& Featuring Brian Whitted (Bette Midler, Occasionally on Piano)
and more...
Hosted by:
Lee Summers (Original cast of Dreamgirls) & Shaun Derik (Speaker for the Dreamer)
MONDAY, March 15th 2010, at 7:30pm
NEW YORK, NY – March 8, 2010 - The Triad and Lee Summers present the Just A Piano Open Mic: A 2nd Benefit For Haiti on Monday, March 15th 2010, at 7:30pm
Following the success of the Just A Piano Open Mic Launch: A Benefit For Haiti on January 31st, which raised $1500.00 for Haiti, series’s creator Lee Summers says, “This time we aim to double that.” The “Just A Piano” concept broadens for this series inviting singers to also bring accompanists or pre-recorded tracks, musical instruments or play on The Triad’s recently refurbished baby grand!
March 15th’s special guests include Recording Artist Alyson Williams, the Legendary Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter of the great Duke Ellington, Broadway’s April Nixon, Natasha Yvette Williams and Carmen Ruby Floyd, Jazz Vocalists Aziza Miller and Kent Drake also Cary Gant, Jeremy Cole, Anthony Wayne, Antoine LaMonte Smith, Darryl Calmese and Keith Fluitt & Featuring Brian Whitted (Occasionally on Piano)
and more. The evening is hosted by Lee Summers & Shaun Derik.
Lee Summers' Just A Piano SM Concert Series has presented numerous top artists singing to JUST A PIANO since 2006 at New York’s most beautifully refurbished venue, the historic Triad. The list includes Broadway/TV's, Roz Ryan, Tony Award Winners, Lillias White and Adriane Lenox, recording sensation Alyson Williams (“Just Call My Name”), Marva Hicks (Caroline or Change), Julie Reiber (Wicked), Crystal Mone Hall (Rent) Shoshana Bean (Hairspray/Wicked, Featuring Rojelio Douglass), Kevin-Anthony, co-founder of “Black2 Broadway” Opera’s Shirley Verrett’s vocal protégé Erika Banks – The Little Mermaid’s, Zakiya Young Mizen (Featuring Norm Lewis), Drowsy Chaperone’s Kecia Lewis Evans (Featuring Tony Winner LaChanze), 3 Time Grammy Nominee/Tony Winner Melba Moore, Anwar Robinson (American Idol Season 4 Finalist), Rebecca Covington (Featuring Tituss Burgess, Chester Gregory and Norm Lewis), Aisha DaHaas, Lawrence Clayton, April Nixon, Jerry Dixon, Lee Truesdale on March 19th Juson Williams, and on April 2nd, Grammy Nominee Ryan Shaw returns.
Just A Piano Concert Series featured pianists include, Timothy Graphenreed (The Wiz), Brian Whitted (Bette Midler), Ray Leslee (Avenue X), James Samplina, Matt Perri (The Drowsy Chaperone) Onaje Allan Gumbs, Shelton Becton (The Color Purple), Doug Oberhamer (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and many more.
There is a $20 suggested donation + 2 Drink Minimum. For reservations please go to www.triadnyc.com or call 212-362-2590. Net proceeds will go to The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and The American Red Cross. The accounting firm of Janover, LLC will tally and turnover the final net proceeds to the respective charities. Press is donated by Ian Weiss, Graphic Design is donated by Greg Aunapu, Production Coordination is donated by Madelyn Bonilla, Lights and Sound is donated by Kane Chiang, Photography is donated by Sidnei Beal, Video is donated by Eric Alexander.
The Triad Theatre is located at 158 West 72nd Street (between Broadway & Columbus).