The Nearness of You at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room

Elvis Costello pulled Hugh Jackman out of the audience to sing with him on "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding"

Elvis Costello, Christopher Cross, Diana Krall, Branford Marsalis, Dianne Reeves and other musicians helped raise more than $1 million for cancer research. Hugh Jackman and Brian Stokes Mitchell were among the celebrity speakers. The star-studded benefit concert was held at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room on February 6.

The The Nearness of You concert honored the late 15-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Michael Brecker, and was produced by his widow, Susan Brecker, and his longtime manager, Darryl Pitt. Proceeds from the concert supported cancer research at Columbia University’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) and specifically the work of Azra Raza, MD and Siddhartha Mukherjee, MD, Dphil.

“When Michael passed away, I wanted to give back to the cancer community to help patients and the doctors desperately trying to find a cure,” said Susan Brecker in a statement prior to the concert. “Michael has been gone 17 years, and my commitment to supporting cancer research has only gotten stronger.”

Susan Brecker

Randy Brecker on trumpet with musicians of the house band, drummer Steve Gadd, bassist Will Lee and guitarist Oz Noy

Branford Marsalis with members of the house band

Bassist Will Lee served as the musical director for the event. The house band featured Michael Brecker’s brother, trumpet and flugelhorn player Randy Brecker, guitarist Oz Noy, keyboardists Andy Ezrin and Clifford Carter, saxophonists Branford Marsalis and Ada Rovatti, acoustic bassist James Genus, drummer Steve Gadd, and backing vocalists Chrissi Poland and Nicki Richards.

The fundraiser was the fourth Nearness of You concert. Previous concerts raised nearly five million dollars. These concerts featured performances by James Taylor, Paul Simon, Hugh Jackman, Diana Krall, Chaka Khan and Wynton Marsalis, among others.

“I am honored to be a part of this amazing event with such incredibly talented artists,” said Dr. Mukherjee. “Music, like medicine, has the profound capacity to change lives and I ask for your support to help us to change lives through the creative discoveries we translate into medicine.”

Christopher Cross

Elvis Costello

Diana Krall

Diane Reeves (right) with Romero Lubambo

Setlist

1. The Dipshit (Randy Brecker cover) - House Band

2. The Nearness of You (Chick Bullock and His Orchestra cover) - Diana Krall, with Branford Marsalis on saxophone

3. East of the Sun (and West of the Moon) (Brooks Bowman cover) - Diana Krall, with Branford Marsalis on saxophone

4. Freedom Jazz Dance (Eddie Harris cover) - Branford Marsalis

5. Untitled – Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, with Jake Charkey on cello and Jonathan F.P. Rose on harmonica

6. Someone to Watch over Me (George Gershwin cover) - Dianne Reeves, with Romero Lubambo on acoustic guitar

7. Love Is Here to Stay (George Gershwin cover) - Dianne Reeves, with Romero Lubambo on acoustic guitar

8. Almost Blue (Elvis Costello & the Attractions song) - Elvis Costello

9. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding (Brinsley Schwarz cover) - Elvis Costello, with Hugh Jackman on backing vocals

10. Straphangin' (Michael Brecker cover) - House Band

11. Sailing - Christopher Cross

12. Arthur's Theme - Christopher Cross

13. Ride Like The Wind - Christopher Cross

14. Arthur’s Theme Reprise - House Band

Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee (center), with Jonathan F.P. Rose on harmonica and Jake Charkey on cello

Hugh Jackman

Brian Stokes Mitchell

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The Manhattan Beat reports on New York City's live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All photographs are taken by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise.

For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right of the The Manhattan Beat home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music."

For a more complete listing of upcoming performances in the New York City area, visit The Manhattan Beat's February calendar.