June 25, 2020 – Grammy award-winning vocalists and instrumentalists, studio musicians, top YouTube music creators and even a world-class tap dancer have all come together to raise funds for their fellow artists impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project, unveiled on YouTube June 25, is an ambitious mass video collaboration of a full cross section of jazz and entertainment stars, set to the tune of the 1936 Depression-era song, “Pick Yourself Up,” written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11cFfj5taxw
The song was arranged by Tedd Firth and Yamaha Artist Tony DeSare. DeSare conceived and produced the project, mixed the audio and edited the video.
The video is being released in conjunction with a major fundraising campaign with the Actors Fund. Anyone wishing to help artists during these difficult times is encouraged to make a donation here:
http://www.actorsfund.org/jazz
The video features DeSare along with featured artists including Brian Stokes Mitchell (Tony Award Winner), Steve Tyrell (Grammy Award-winning singer and producer), John Pizzarelli (Jazz Vocalist and Guitarist), Grace Kelly (Saxophonist), Tierney Sutton (Jazz Singer), Ann Hampton Callaway (Jazz Singer), Catherine Russell (Jazz Singer), Bria Skonberg (Singer and Trumpet Player), Benny Bennack III (Singer and Trumpet Player), Clint Holmes (Vocalist), Jarrett Johnson (Vocalist), Andrew Brady (Principal Bassoonist for Atlanta Symphony), The Piano Guys (Star YouTube Musical Act), Postmodern Jukebox (Star YouTube Music Creator), John Manzari (Tap Dancer), Aaron Weinstein (Jazz Violinist), Brian Czach (Drummer), Billy Thornton (Bassist), Edward Decker (Guitar) and Tedd Firth (Pianist and Co-Arranger).
“When I first found myself at home with all my shows canceled, I felt an overwhelming urge to do something to help while quarantining at home,” said DeSare. “I started reaching out to my very talented and creative friends to ask if they would collaborate with me to raise awareness and money for our colleagues and peers.
“Tedd Firth and I arranged the tune, I got live instruments to record their tracks from home and sent out the track to artists so they could make their contribution. Some sang a few bars, some played their instrument and some content creators took their own 8 bar solo making their own independent contribution to the virtual jam session.
“It’s been a labor of love to put this project together, and am hopeful that it serves as a reminder of the comfort that music can bring and that the music makers are in need of help right now as live music events will most likely be the very last thing to return to normal.”
For more information about Tony DeSare, visit http://www.tonydesare.com. For more information about the Actors Fund, visit http://www.actorsfund.org.
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About The Actors Fund
The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that fosters stability and resiliency and provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan. Through offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Fund serves everyone in film, theater, television, music, opera, radio and dance with programs including social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and secondary employment and training services.
Since March 18, 2020, The Actors Fund has provided more than $13 million in emergency financial assistance to 11,216 people who work in performing arts and entertainment. With shutdowns on Broadway and in film and television, theater, concerts, dance, music and many other areas of entertainment, the need is great and growing. This emergency financial assistance is helping our most vulnerable and those in financial crisis to cover basic living expenses, such as food, essential medications, utilities and more.
About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) is the largest subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation, Japan and offers a full line of award-winning musical instruments, sound reinforcement, commercial installation and home entertainment products to the U.S. market. Products include: Yamaha acoustic, digital and hybrid pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products, synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio equipment, Steinberg recording products and NEXO commercial audio products, as well as AV receivers, amplifiers, MusicCast wireless multiroom audio systems, Blu-ray/CD players, earphones, headphones, home-theater-in-a-box systems, sound bars and its exclusive line of Digital Sound Projectors. YCA markets innovative, finely crafted technology and entertainment products and musical instruments targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, music, professional audio installation and consumer markets.
Contact: Peter Giles/Giles Communications
(914) 644-3500 ext. 700 (pgiles@giles.com)
