World-famous jazz vocalist Ernestine Anderson will perform at the Taproot Theatre on Sunday, June 26, in support of the nearby Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St.
All proceeds from Anderson's upcoming concert will go to the senior center to help with operating expenses.
Keeping it in the community
Anderson's publicist, Greenwood resident Nancy McKernon, came up with the idea for the upcoming concert after serving on the fund-raising committee for the Greenwood Senior Center.
McKernon, who is also a member of the Phinney-Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer at Greenwood Elementary School, is committed to the Greenwood neighborhood.
"I wanted to keep this event in the community," she said.
The 30-year-old senior center was on the verge of closing when it lost funding from Senior Services of Seattle/King County (SSSKC) in August 2004.
In 2003, the nonprofit agency provided about $42,000 of the Greenwood Senior Center's $227,000 annual budget, of which $113,000 was SSSKC's personnel costs. Ironically, following the funding cut, Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen honored the center in January by proclaiming a Greenwood Senior Center Day.
The board and members of the Greenwood Senior Center saw SSSKC's exit as an opportunity to grow and change. The Phinney Neighborhood Association's board of directors agreed to serve as the Greenwood Senior Center's fiscal agent and organizational mentor through 2005.
The center, which offers social services, support groups, nursing services, exercise and computer classes, lectures and more, is also in the process of hiring a part-time events coordinator.
"[Anderson] was more than happy to do [the concert]. She loved the idea," McKernon said.
At the Greenwood concert, she will perform with a trio of musicians on the baby grand piano, drums and bass.
In addition to the concert at the Greenwood Senior Center, Anderson regularly performs benefit concerts for a variety of local foundations and charities, from children's organizations to education programs.
"Giving back, it's something I can do," Anderson said.
For the concert, Taproot Theatre will offer the use of its facility and staff at no cost.
"It's been a lot of fun," McKernon said. "If there's a need, people just open their doors."
"It's really amazing how the Greenwood-Phinney community has come together to support the senior center," said Teri Barry, director of the Greenwood Senior Center. "We are just very fortunate that Ernestine agreed to do this and that Nancy put this together."
A jazz great
Anderson, 77, landed her first job at age 12 with musician Russell Jacquet, who had a big band at the time.
Over the years, she has toured all over the world with such musicians as Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Ray Brown and Lionel Hampton.
She also has recorded more than 30 albums and received four Grammy nominations and still performs throughout the country.
Some of Anderson's CDs will be for sale after the concert. A portion of the proceeds from Anderson's CD sales also will go to the senior center.
"She's clearly a gift in what she does for Seattle," McKernon said.
Ernestine Anderson's concert benefiting the Greenwood Senior Center will take Sunday, June 26, starting at 5 p.m. at the Taproot Theatre, 312 N. 85th St., with a no-host bar opening at 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 cash or check, $28 for credit card. Seating is limited. Call Greenwood Senior Center at 297-0875 for tickets.[[In-content Ad]]
