Seattle Jazz Musicians Uniting to Help with Haiti Quake Relief

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I’ve been seeing the images from Haiti off and on for the past day and I can’t even believe the destruction and tragedy that is happening there in the aftermath of Tuesday’s earthquake. The word tragedy gets thrown around a lot these days, but I can’t imagine a situation that warrants the word more that this. I know it’s just speculation at this point, but there are reports of upwards of 100,000 dead and millions injured and displaced. It’s truly too horrible to comprehend.

But I must admit that even though I was struck by the magnitude of the situation, it really didn’t hit home until I learned that my friend David’s mother lives in Haiti and he still hasn’t been able to reach her. I can’t even begin to understand what it must be like for him to be in such limbo for this amount of time. Which is why it didn’t surprise me to learn today that he has booked a flight and will be leaving first thing in the morning to fly to Haiti to search for her and help in any way he can.

When I heard this I knew that I had to do something to help. David is the owner of Lucid Jazz Lounge here in Seattle, which has become the home of the “New Seattle” jazz scene. Over the last year he has opened his doors to our community and given us a place to play, to hang, to record, to try out new projects and new ideas. He’s brought us together and given a cohesion to the community that we haven’t seen in years. He’s one of us, and has been our most active and vocal supporter. As such, now’s the time that we need to rally around David and his family and support him in any way we can.

We put together an impromptu fundraiser tonight at the club and came together in support. I want to thank each and every person who stopped by to show their support and donate money, first aid supplies, water treatment pills and the like for David to take with him to Haiti in the morning. As I mentioned in my newsletter today, this is a direct way for us to send aid to the people who need it the most.

I have also decided to give 100% of the sales of my CD’s and downloads to Haiti Quake Relief through Jan 22nd. If you would like to contribute to the efforts, please visit my music page and purchase one or more of my CD’s or downloads. You can name your own price, and I encourage you to be generous. Every single dollar will be deposited into an account that has been opened in David’s name and will go directly to the citizens of Haiti – no middle men, no administrative fees, no barriers.

There are, of course, many other ways for you to contribute. The important thing is that we come together to help the people of Haiti in this desperate time of need. Any amount you can spare will help. Please make a contribution now.