Jazz Community coming together at the Palladium to benefit one of their own – singer Rose Bilal

The Palladium is proud to be part of a great benefit concert for one of Tampa Bay’s best jazz and soul singers – Rose Bilal.

 

Rose has been a longtime friend of mine and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her without a smile on her face. She’s performed in some of my cabaret shows and is always the star on any stage. She’s a singer, an artist, a community activist, and always – a supporter of jazz and jazz education.

 

Rose is recovering from a stroke and the jazz community is gathering on Sunday, Aug. 11 at the Palladium to help her defray some medical bills. I could tell you more, but I’ll let my pal Sandra Gadsden, a Tampa Bay Times columnist and editor, do it for me.

 

You can follow this link to her column or read an excerpt of it here with details on the show and the great lineup of musicians. Tickets are available at the Palladium box office.

 

Here’s the link:

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/tampa-bay-jazz-musicians-gather-to-help-rose-bilal/2133324

 

By Sandra Gadsden

A host of local musicians are coming to the aid of one of their own.

 

“For the Love of Rose” will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Palladium.

 

The rose is jazz vocalist, keyboardist and all-around community friend Rose Bilal.

For organizers, it’s an opportunity to help a neighbor in need while enjoying some of the best jazz musicians in the Tampa Bay area.

 

Back in May, Bilal suffered a stroke and was hospitalized for a month. Her medical bills exceeded $250,000 and her rehab requires therapy and home health care.

 

The event, to help defray medical costs, is organized by the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, the Palladium Theater and WUSF-FM 89.7.

 

“She has made a great contribution to keeping jazz alive, as well as making a great contribution to bringing entertainment and motivation to many types of groups,” said Bette Gregg, vice president of the jazz association.

 

The list of performers coming to help is a Who’s Who of the area’s best jazz performers: Ernie Calhoun, John Lamb, Theo Valentin, Belinda Womack, Shawn Brown, Rita Wilson, Kenny Drew Jr., Stan Hunter, Alejandro Arenas, Mark Neuenschawander and others.

 

Some members of the impressive lineup have had their own physical challenges.

 

I last saw Bilal perform at the St. Petersburg Country Club at an event honoring outstanding men and women in the community. She had been a recipient of the Gathering of Women honor a few years earlier and had since provided entertainment at the annual event.

 

A flier promoting the event captures what Bilal has meant to the community: “We all know how much she has helped our community thrive, grow and bloom. Now is our time to help her.”

 

Through the years, she has visited hundreds of schools and juvenile centers and offered hands-on training to many young people interested in music.

 

Few would argue about the impact Bilal has had with the simple gesture of sharing her talents by performing at homes, churches, family reunions and special events.

 

Tickets are $20 and on sale at the Palladium box office at www.mypalladium.org or you can call 727 822-3590