The Whiteweld Foundation Concert Series presents Jazz greats—Nancy Wilson & The Count Basie Orchestra at Carnegie Hall

The Whiteweld Foundation’s mission is to promote the health, education, and welfare of children in communities throughout the United States and abroad. The concert series is helping to fund a variety of charitable organizations benefiting children through uplifting national programs as well as community services, scholarships, and cultural arts programs.

“This is the second concert in our inaugural series and we’re confident these amazing jazz greats will attract a wonderful audience to help advance the cause of these admirable charities,” said John Johnson, President and Managing Director of The Whiteweld Foundation. “We’re particularly honored to host such a milestone in the legendary history of the Count Basie Orchestra, one of the most important big bands of all time. This monumental show symbolizes the caliber of entertainment The Whiteweld Concert Series is committed to presenting. Our goal is to invite famed entertainers to appear at the most notable concert halls in the country and raise money to help brighten the future of children throughout the world.”

An acclaimed entertainer and jazz vocalist, Nancy Wilson is considered one of music’s original divas. A blend between a jazz singer and a pop singer, Wilson has consistently topped the music charts with sophisticated hits like “Guess Who I Saw Today,” “How Glad I Am,” and “You’re Right As Rain.” Soon after landing a record deal with Capitol Records, Wilson went on to become one of the label’s best-selling recording artists, second only to The Beatles, and also expanded her talents to include acting. In 1964, she won a Grammy Award for her classic “How Glad I Am,” and later an Emmy for her NBC series, “The Nancy Wilson Show,” which ran from 1967 to 1968. In addition to her acting and singing abilities, Nancy Wilson is a dedicated volunteer for projects that aid and empower children and the less fortunate.

The Count Basie Orchestra, formed by William “Count” Basie, the man who set the standard for subsequent jazz pianists, is arguably the definitive big band of jazz. Over the years, the list of musicians who have played in the band reads like a “who’s who” in jazz, with names like Freddie Green, Thad Jones, Lester Young, Jo Jones, and Billy Holiday, just to name a few. With classic hits such as “One O’Clock Jump,” “April in Paris,” and “Autumn Leaves.”

The Count Basie Orchestra personifies the essence of the swing and jazz era. Although the “Count” passed away in 1984, the band has endured and thrived under the direction of current leader Bill Hughes. The band won the 1999 Grammy Award for best large jazz ensemble, adding to its total of 17 Grammy Awards, two Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, and nine Down Beat Readers and Critics Poll Awards.

The Carnegie Hall presentation is the second show in the newly launched concert series for The Whiteweld Foundation. The inaugural concert was held at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in late November and starred The Duprees, The Platters, and Larry Chance and The Earls. More than 1,000 people attended the show, which benefited the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation (a local charity that supports children stricken by cancer). In addition, the Whiteweld Foundation donated tickets to enable 250 members of the New York City Fire Department and NYPD to attend the show.

About The Whiteweld Foundation.
The Whiteweld Foundation's mission is to promote the health, education, and welfare of children in our communities throughout the United States and abroad. Funds raised are distributed directly and through charitable organizations dedicated to protecting and nurturing children everywhere.