January 31, 2008 issue
The Willerm Delisfort Project Plays Valentine’s Benefit February 14
Story by Anna Oakes
At age 11, pianist and composer Willerm Delisfort was performing for the likes of Hillary Rodham Clinton as well as the former president of Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The Chicago-based jazz musician, accompanied by four other talents in The Willerm Delisfort Project, will play at a Valentine’s Day Benefit Dinner at Appalachian State University on Thursday, February 14.
The dinner and entertainment take place from 6:00 to 7:45 p.m. at the Solarium located in the Plemmons Student Union. The Division of Student Programs presents the event, and the Black Student Association and Appalachian Honors Association are co-sponsors.
Corporate co-sponsors are Mangia Buona and Crossroads Coffeehouse. Mangia Buona, an Italian restaurant formerly located in Valle Crucis that has moved to the Boone Mall, will provide the food.
“It’s going to be a fantastic meal,” said Alan Mueller, assistant director of Student Programs. Although the program is intended primarily for students, anyone is welcome, Mueller said.
The suggested attire is semi-formal to formal dress.
If the seating for the dinner fills up, the balcony is available for those who simply want to see and hear the entertainment.
The Willerm Delisfort Project performs popular pieces and arrangements of modern standards. Delisfort’s fingers run up and down the ivories in sophisticated jazz compositions accented by saxophone, drums, bass and trumpet.
Born and raised in Miami’s Little Haiti, Delisfort studied under the tutelage of south Florida legend John McMinn. Now 24 years old, Delisfort has a resume of performances and collaborations with artists including Wycliffe Gordon, Calvin Newborne, Corey Wilkes, Lauryn Hill, Ted Shumate, Jennifer Holiday, Freddie Jackson, Jimmy Heath, David Sanchez, Red Holloway, Javon Jackson, T-Pain and Melton Mustafa, Sr.
Joining Delisfort in the Project are Marquis Hill on trumpet, Christopher McBride on saxophone, Kevin Smith on bass and Shirazette Tinnin on drums. Tinnin, the only female member of the group, is a North Carolina native and an alumna of Appalachian State University’s Hayes School of Music. “She is a female jazz drummer performing at a high level,” Mueller said.
The group is working on a forthcoming debut album.
For admission, organizers are asking for an $8 minimum donation at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Jazz Studies program in the Hayes School of Music. For more info, call 828-262-3032.
Want To Go?
Date: Thursday, February 14
Time: 6:00 to 7:45 p.m.
Location: Plemmons Student Union Solarium, ASU
Cost: Minimum $8 donation
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
