John Blackwell And All-Star Benefit Concert to Establish Scholarship in Memory of Daughter
Top drummers from r&b, funk, and jazz to play at the Berklee Performance Center, Saturday, December 11
BOSTON, Nov. 17, 2004 – Drummer John Blackwell, known all over the world from touring and recording with Prince and Patti LaBelle, will return to his alma mater to host a very special benefit concert to establish the Jia Kennie Blackwell Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of his daughter, Jia, who drowned this summer. Many of Blackwell’s drummer friends will perform, making the event an unforgettable night of funk, r&b, and jazz. The event is produced by Berklee College of Music and Sabian, with support from Vater Percussion, Inc.
“4 Ever in Our Hearts, A Tribute to Jia Kennie Blackwell” takes place Saturday, December 11, at 8:00 p.m. at the Berklee Performance Center, 136 Mass. Ave, Boston. Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 20, at 10:00 a.m. at the Berklee Performance Center Box Office and at
www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $10.00. Visit
www.berklee.edu or call 617-747-2261 for more information.
Berklee Piano Department Assistant Chair Jetro Da Silva will direct an all-star faculty and student band that will be joined by Blackwell and his guests. Scheduled to appear are:
Terri Lyne Carrington
Vinnie Colaiuta
Dennis Chambers
Dom Famularo
Marcus Williams
Jeff “Tain” Watts
After leaving Berklee in 1995, Blackwell moved to Los Angeles where he joined Patti LaBelle's band, appearing on her Grammy-winning CD and DVD Patti LaBelle-Live! One Night Only. When Prince heard Blackwell’s drumming at a Labelle tour stop in Minneapolis, he asked him to join the New Power Generation. Blackwell was on Prince’s Musicology tour this summer when
he learned that his daughter had accidentally drowned. He and his wife, Joann, decided to memorialize their daughter with a scholarship to support outstanding female musicians at Berklee. A portion of the proceeds from the concert will also be used to promote water safety.
Contributions to the Jia Kennie Blackwell Memorial Scholarship Fund can also be made at
www.berklee.edu, or by calling 617-747-2569.
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