Bye Bye Bullies Does More than Benefit the Audience
By Dominique Williams - East Anchorage High School
The third annual Bye Bye Bullies benefit brought awareness to a great cause and two Jazz Greats to Anchorage for a close to three-hour concert of great music and fun. The night started late but ended in a standing ovation.
The benefit hosted by Eddie P began featuring Dr. Dorothy Espelage. Dr. Espelage founded the charity and addressed the audience on the charity and the reason for this benefit. The charity started after a seventh grader hung himself because of bullying and didn't die and now is unable to function without assistance.
After Dr. Espelage finished, the opening act, The Veronica Page Band emerged to pump a slightly stiff crowd. Veronica Page used her vocal range to astound the audience by singing old classics such as "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Tell Me Something Good," and "Mr. Big Stuff," to ending with a song unknown to many titled "I'd Rather Go Blind" by Etta James. By the end of the first act, Ms. Page was giving the crowd all she could in terms of her voice and sincerity in her emotions.
Post-intermission the true benefit began. Rick Braun started the set in the audience dancing while playing the trumpet. In the first song, each band member did a solo. The crowd instantly started bobbing their heads to the jazz grooves,
Jeff Golub and Rick Braun alternated songs for the rest of the night. Both accompanied on all songs and interacted with the crowd. The highlight songs of the night were "Notorious" and "Green Tomatoes" by Braun and "Always There" and "I'll Play the Blues For You" by Golub.
By the end of the hour and a 45-minute set, with killer bass solos, hearing a guitar purr and a trumpet sing, people were up dancing and singing when asked. It was a remarkable concert. Jeff Golub and Rick Braun ended up receiving a standing ovation and came out for one last jam with the audience.
After the concert, the artists signed autographs and went to an after party at the Whales Tail. This concert left the audience ready to dance and feeling good about contributing to a fine cause.
Jazz Greats: Bye Bye Bullies Benefit
Blues Central Productions
November 13, 2009 at 7:00 pm
The Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Atwood Concert Hall
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