HAVANA TO THE HAMPTONS FOR LINCOLN CENTER JAZZ

****

THE HAMPTONS

Photos By: Owen Hoffman/Patrick McMullan

****

Jean Shafiroff With Valentino Carlotti And Diana DiMenna

Flo Anthony With Greg Ammon, Jean Shafiroff And Stacy Volkov

Jean Shafiroff and Flo Anthony attended the From Havana to the Hamptons event, hosted by Co-Chairs Greg Ammon and Valentino D. Carlotti, in Bridgehampton, NY. The event benefited Jazz at Lincoln Center’s performance and education programs.

On a beautiful Friday evening under a lantern lit tent, guests enjoyed a Caribbean-themed menu and signature cocktails sponsored by Hennessy Prestige, while being treated to musical performances by critically-acclaimed, Cuban musicians Pedrito Martinez and Jose “Pepito” Gomez. Mr. Carlotti and Mr. Ammon, with his fiancée Stacy Volkov, welcomed the attendees to the festive event which took place on a beautiful Bridgehampton evening.

Coinciding with the reopening of the U.S. embassy in Havana, including a flag-raising ceremony that marked the first time the Stars and Stripes have flown over a diplomatic compound in Cuba in 54 years, the event celebrated the album release Live in Cuba (to be released on August 21, 2015) featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis performing for sold-out crowds over three nights in Havana’s historic Mella Theater in October 2010. Live in Cuba is the organization’s first release on the newly formed Blue Engine Records–an initiative by Jazz at Lincoln Center to release studio and live recordings, as well as archival recordings from Jazz at Lincoln Center’s performance history that date back to 1987 and are part of the R. Theodore Ammon Archives and Music Library.

"At Jazz at Lincoln Center, we like to hold celebrations to observe accomplishments and milestones of the organization, and there are a lot of great things happening that give us many reasons to celebrate.” Mr. Ammon said. “This evening we are celebrating two firsts: the creation and launch of Blue Engine Records, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s own label; and the exciting debut album release of Live in Cuba.” 

Mr. Ammon later introduced the incredible musicians, who entertained guests at the event, saying: “I am certain the performances from tonight’s musicians will virtually transport us to Havana.” Guests danced salsa, rumba and other styles for more than two hours as Pedrito Martinez and Jose “Pepito” Gomez performed both originals and classics of latin jazz and Afro-Cuban music.

Mr. Carlotti, JALC Board Member and great supporter of Cuban music, spoke about his involvement with Jazz at Lincoln Center and his excitement about the release of Live in Cuba. “I want to tell you how passionate and excited we all are to be a part of the efforts to increase access to jazz music to diverse communities throughout New York and across the globe, and about helping JALC build a community of young patrons who will be part of the next generation of arts advocates,” he stated. “And as I look around this evening, there is no doubt that support of our work is growing, and that’s a great thing. Tonight’s performances are certainly in keeping with our commitment to that effort.”

Following their rousing performances (including a show-stopping encore demanded by the tireless dancers in the crowd), both Martinez and Gomez posed for photos with smiling guests. At the dinner that followed the performance, guests enjoyed signature cocktails by Hennessy, including the Smash and a unique take on the classic French 75, and a Caribbean-inspired meal that included spicy jerked chicken and poached salmon with an escovitch relish. 

East Hampton’s Big Flower also showcased bespoke pocket squares and many guests went home with cigars hand-rolled on site by Cortez Cigars that were finished with a custom-designed ‘Havana to the Hamptons’ cigar band.

Guests in attendance: co-chairs Greg Ammon and Valentino D. Carlotti; Jazz at Lincoln Center Board Members Diana and Joe DiMenna and Lola West; Brad Grossman, co-chair of JALC’s Rhythm Club; as well as Jean Shafiroff, Flo Anthony, Audrey Bernard, Jacquie Lee, Sidra Smith and Stacy Volkov. Musicians in attendance included Alvaro Benavides, Daimar Calvario, Aaron Diehl, Jose “Pepito” Gomez, Mauricio Herrera, Pedrito Martinez, Adam Perez, Jhair Sala, and Ariacne Trujillo. The event was co-hosted by JALC’s Rhythm Club and Swing! Committee.