JAZZ TO THE MAX FUNDRAISER
AUGUST 19, 2023 11AM TO 6PM]
LA JAZZ MUSICIANS DONATE TIME AND TALENT TO RAISE MONEY
On Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 11AM to 6PM, 40+ of LA’s leading jazz musicians will donate time and talents for a day-long summer jazz fest “JAZZ TO THE MAX” to raise money for the family of beloved colleague and LA jazz-scene influencer, phenom vibraphonist, Nick Mancini. Mancini’s son, Max was born in January with a severe heart defect (HLHS) requiring intense medical intervention including multiple surgeries during his first year. The day-long event, including a silent-auction, will be held in a beautiful shaded garden setting in Pasadena, CA.
40 and counting of the West Coast’s top jazz musicians have stepped up to donate time and talent to provide what will hopefully be a major assist to fellow colleague and leading LA jazz mainstay, vibraphonist, Nick Mancini. Nick and his family are going through a period of unrelenting stress and financial hardship in the wake of their newborn son’s (Max) diagnosis of a severe heart defect, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS).
Nick, a popular performer and active influencer in the LA Jazz scene, moved with his wife, Afton and young daughter, Minerva to Tulsa, OK when literally overnight, the COVID pandemic shut down live venues and the livelihood of countless performing artists. As if the pandemic wasn’t grief enough, the Mancini’s discovered in prenatal checkups last summer for their 2nd child, son Max, that he had a potentially fatal heart defect syndrome (HLHS) and would need intense medical intervention especially over the next 2 years to survive. Max was born in early January and their journey has been a rocky one ever since, although Max has continued to miraculously come through every crisis.
It seems surreal to add that less than a month ago, a 100mph gale-force wind came through Tulsa and uprooted a tree, which it subsequently dropped on their 2 cars parked in their driveway, crushing them both, including Nick’s vibes, which were in the back of his car. Fortunately, they had insurance and are now car shopping.
They continue to maneuver between Oklahoma City, where Max is receiving treatment in the ICU at Children’s Hospital and their home in Tulsa (90 miles away) where they trade off care of their 4 yr. old daughter, Minerva, with the help of extended family nearby.
With the exception of the cost of the chairs and some nominal logistical assistance for the event ALL proceeds will go to the Mancini family for living expenses and expenses associated with their son’s care. There will be 15 jazz combos presented throughout the day/ two every hour. Tickets may be purchased at $35 per hour or a full day pass with unlimited entry may be purchased for $150/$100 for two. Seating is limited and Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
