Jazz as part of the Ralph Pucci International brand identity was exemplified Tuesday night when the Pucci showroom transformed into a jazz club featuring a performance by two jazz legends, vocalist Gregory Porter and virtuoso bassist and composer Christian McBride, accompanied by pianist Chip Crawford.
This was the seventh annual edition of Pucci’s jazz night, which always benefits the Jazz House Kids. The event has so far raised $1.1 million to provide scholarships and expand its program, which from its home in Montclair, New Jersey, has expanded with a collaboration with Trinity Church Wall Street, providing opportunities for young musicians who want to learn and perform. McBride’s wife, Melissa Walker, is president and founder of Jazz House Kids.
For each Pucci jazz event, McBride brings in a different jazz legend, and he’s been joined by Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Laurie Anderson, John Pizzarelli, Esperanza Spalding and Norah Jones. He interviews them with his light conversational style, they exchange anecdotes and perform together and jam with the students.
Throughout Tuesday night’s performance, many in the crowd of 300 vigorously clapped to the beat of the music, coaxed by the musicians or spontaneously. “Gregory Porter knocks it out of the park,” exclaimed Pucci. “Christian McBride, he’s never pigeonholed. He’s played with Chic Correa, Sting, Paul McCartney, James Brown, Isaac Hayes.”
For the jazz night, Porter said he chose “songs of love” and opened up his act with “On a Clear Day.” He said he was influenced greatly by Nat King Cole and Lou Rawls, though the biggest influence was right from the family. “My mother was a minister. We sang in the choir,” said Porter. He attended San Diego State College on a football scholarship, and at one time thought of playing professionally.