DownBeat March 1999 [antikvár]

m the beat march 1999 by John Janowiak ithoiil ilie free medical care siie re-ceived lastyear, singer Ten'niornloii could never have entered—much less won—last year's Tiielonious Monk International jazz Compelition. "I would not be alive, first of all." says Thornton, whose bladder cancer was successfully removed in an operation Iasl .iune. For her medical and musical triumphs. Thornton can thank a group of generous physicians in Englewood, N.J. She can also thank Dizzy Gillespie, who made a dying wish that jazz musicians would receive pro bono medical care al Englewood Hospital. Gillespie, a long-time resident of Englewood, spent his final months al the hospital before succumbing to pancreatic cancer in 1993. During his stay, he was visited almost daily by a couple of fans who happened to be key figures in the hospital: Ellsworth Haven, the hospital's senior vice president and a former trumpet player himself; and Dr. Francis Forte, an oncologist who plays a fine jazz guitar. Among the many subjects that arose in their conversations. they had a notion of honoring Diz as a great musician and humanitarian. Tlie administrators wanted to name the hospital's entire cancer program after Gillespie. "He said he would let us use his name, but in return for that we could not forget jazz musicians who had not had such good luck as he had." Forte says. Gillespie knew that many jazz musicians are uninsured or underinsured. Enter the Jazz Foundation of America, a New York-based, national social-service organization designed to help jazz musicians who have fallen on hard times. Several years ago, the Jazz Foundation had limited health-care assistance capabilities, leading il lo pursue an alliance with Englewood Hospital, Bassist Jamil Nasser and trumpeter Jimmy Owens—both foundation board members al the time and in discussions with Ciillespie, Haven and Forte—helped formulate a plan. Nasser had a passion for helping the elder statesmen of jazz. "I always felt lhal was a responsibility for what Ihey laid out for us," he says. Owens, loo. knew the difficullies facing indigent jazzers. "lie told the [h(jspilal| adminislralion whal the problems were." Forte says. An extraordinary, yet sim|)l(', i)lan emerged. A team of jihysicians, led by Forle, would provide free medical care lo jazz musicians in need. Before he died. Ciilk'Spie and his family gave Iheir approval. and shortly after his death, the progiam started. I he hospital opened the I)izzy Gilles[)ie Cancer Institute and bi gan offering medical care to nuisicians, with both l)rograms undi-r the uinbn-lla of tiie Dizzy Gillespie Memorial l-und. Through private donations and benetil concerts, the fund raises money for eciiiipnient, research, education and ti aining for (he cancer institute. The hospital offers services lo musicians out of goodwill, iuid doctors provide services for free. Perhaps $.'500.tK)0 in care has been spent on musicians. Haven estimates, while the fund has raised less than $50,000. The framers of the program ensured they would never have to terminate a patient's treatment due lo a lack of funds. "We never wanted to be in the situation where we have to rationalize care," Haven says. Finding doctors was easy. Every physician Forte approached obliged happily, maybe because so many were musicians themselves. For example. Dr. Gary Wasserman, the urologist who treated Thornton's cancer, plays the piano. By Forte's estimation, nearly 40 doctors in various specialties provide free services, and more than 60 musicians have been Dr. Francis Forte: oncologist, guitarisi and leader of a team of physicians who provide free medical care to jazz musicians in need through the program. Less lhan half are cancer patients; their ailments run the gamut from broken toes to advjuiced neurosurgery A vibist once caine in with a spinal-cord disorder that prevented him from pushing pedals. After the surgery, he was standing and playing wilhin a week. "And he was not even seeking medical care because he didn't have any money," I'orle says. 'Hiat'soflen Ihe case. Before they find out aboul Ivnglewood Hospital, many patients have ail bul surrendered to their illnesses. Now. they have hope for living, performing and maybe winning a coin{)etition. DB if CORRIDOR EL RECORDS i It ié}MZ Pad McKm '^ETÉk^WM Woody Herman trombonist ^^ 1 Paul McKee's debut recording featuring Carl ^^ Fontana and BobtiY Shew. GALLERY Veteran Chicago jas artist and Maynard Ferguson ahim. Mark Colby reunites titii Miami great Vlnce Maggio. BePaut University's Bob Lark males his CD BCa iJifiC debut m'tfi guests Bob Minder, Paul McKee and Mark Colby. Scott Hall's debut CD crafts relaied melodies and rich, easy-breathing harmonies ala Tom Harrell. Featuring Larry Kohul. Dana Hall and Karl Monlzka. Eddie Harrison jump Slats play wilh Ihe intensity of louis Jordan. Featuring "Saturday Night Fish Fr^" and "Barnyard Boogie." ¦ " vy,/A^l^ . . Distributed by Hits Unlimited Chicago 773.296.M87 visit our website: www.CorridorCd.com Corridor Records • PO Box 47739 Chicago, IL 60647-0739 773.292.1891 M.AKCII DOWNBEAT <