Ralph Pucci’s Jazz Club for a Night Raises $500,000 for Jazz House Kids

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“I’ve been a fan of Angélique’s for over 20 years,” said Ralph Pucci, of the Ralph Pucci International gallery for luxury home furnishings, lighting and art. He was referring to Angélique Kidjo, the five-time Grammy winner described by Time Magazine as “Africa’s premier diva” and by the BBC as among Africa’s 50 most iconic figures. On Thursday evening, Pucci transformed his sprawling Manhattan gallery on 18th Street into a jazz club with an open bar, Le Kool Champagne by Kool and the Gang and a crowd of 175 raising more than $500,000 to support the Jazz House Kids music education and performance program. Related Articles Culture News Ralph Pucci Gallery Staging Benefit for Studio in a School Interior Design Ralph Pucci Celebrates 20 Years With Hervé van der Straeten But the main event was a rousing performance by singer Kidjo who joyously danced and pranced across Pucci’s makeshift stage and got the crowd clapping, swaying and singing along to “Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads as its lead singer and songwriter, David Byrne, was seated front row. Kidjo also sang “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley, and her own song, “Sunlight to My Soul,” demonstrating her virtuosity. On some of her numbers, she was accompanied by the Jazz House Kids ensembles and the school’s 30-piece choir. Melissa Walker and David Byrne Photo by Richard Conde “Angélique is the epitome of that world beat music,” which blends traditional and pop music from different nations, said Pucci. “That’s why David Byrne was there. He’s integrated all that music for the Talking Heads.” Angélique Kidjo belts it out, accompanied by bassist Christian McBride, at Ralph Pucci International. Photo by Richard Conde Kidjo’s performance mixed rhythm and blues, jazz, soul and reggae, and in between numbers, she conversed with virtuoso bassist and composer Christian McBride, who is married to Melissa Walker, president and founder of Jazz House Kids. For each annual Pucci jazz night, always a fundraiser for Jazz House Kids, McBride accompanies and interviews a different music great. Also playing on stage was Dominic James on guitar and Etienne Stadwijk on keys. Last year, McBride was on stage with Sting, and in past years he’s been joined by Gregory Porter, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Laurie Anderson, John Pizzarelli, Esperanza Spalding and Norah Jones. McBride got Kidjo talking about her philosophy of life and opening up about growing up in Benin, West Africa in a family with 10 children, including her nine brothers. “We were not rich. But even when you have very little, there is always someone who has less than you,” she said. “We loved to open up our own to people and serve food. Food is socially a sign of welcoming…How you interact with people is what makes you a human being. To love somebody, you have to love yourself so much you have plenty to give. Hatred is easier, but we always have a choice.” McBride described her as “a force of nature, like a human tornado who swoops everybody up with her energy.” And Pucci added: “I have been a fan of Angélique’s for over 20 years. I would play her music in the gallery all the time. Each year, we have a very different program and a very different performer. That’s what makes the night so interesting and magical.” Ralph Pucci, center, with Melissa Walker, Christian McBride with students and faculty from Jazz House Kids. Photo by Richard Conde

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