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‘Sunday Jazz with Wynton Marsalis’ event raises more than $110,000 for Devereux NY

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health recently hosted an intimate concert – “Sunday Jazz with Wynton Marsalis” – at the home of Devereux New York family member Merritt Lutz, who also serves on the Devereux New York City Advisory Board, to raise critical funds for the organization’s music therapy program.

The event, which featured a performance by the world-renowned Wynton Marsalis and the Wynton Marsalis Quartet, generated more than $110,000 for the program.

“What an incredible event! I want to thank Merritt and our wonderful sponsors and attendees for their support and generosity,” said Devereux President and CEO Carl E. Clark II. “The evening felt like a surreal jazz equivalent of sitting in on a private Beatles session circa 1969. We all had an opportunity to witness greatness in a small living room setting. Funds raised from this event will be used to help the adults in our care find their voice through music therapy.”

Raising funds; enriching lives

During the event, guests listened to the Wynton Marsalis Quartet perform a selection of jazz standards. The quartet was comprised of Marsalis on trumpet, Matthew Lee on drums, William Schwartzman on piano and Daniel Song on bass. The event also included a surprise appearance by Marsalis’ friend and Austrian trumpet player, the noted Thomas Gansch.

Manny Colon of Manny’s Bistro provided a symphony of culinary delights for attendees to enjoy, with dessert donated by Jill Michelman of Mini Morsels by Jill.

Following the quartet’s performance, Devereux leaders announced that Devereux New York’s music therapy program would be named in honor of Merritt Lutz, and in memory of his beloved wife, Candy. The couple’s son, Reid, who has received services through Devereux New York since 1999, participates in the program.

“We are extremely grateful to our dear friend, Merritt, for connecting Mr. Marsalis and Devereux for this wonderful opportunity. Merritt is extremely passionate about music. In fact, his advocacy and early philanthropic support was the impetus for the introduction of music therapy into our programming at Devereux New York,” said Devereux National Director of Development Antonia Allsman. “This program enriches the lives of those we serve through activities, such as singing; playing instruments; dancing, moving and stretching; and mixing and composing music. The adults in our care are learning valuable skills – and having fun.”

About Wynton Marsalis

Wynton Marsalis is a trumpeter, band leader and composer. He serves as the managing and artistic director of jazz at Lincoln Center, the director of jazz studies at The Juilliard School and president of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation.

Marsalis has been called the “Pied Piper of Jazz” and the “Doctor of Swing.” Since his recording debut in 1982, he has released 127 jazz, classical and alternative recordings. He is the only artist to ever win Grammy Awards in five consecutive years.

Learn more about Devereux New York, and learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.

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