WONDERFUL WORLD “FRIENDS OF MUSIC THERAPY” GALA

Photo credit: Ken Brown Photography

On September 18, 2017, Wonderful World: Friends of Music Therapy celebrated and advocated for the important work taking place in the fields of music and medicine. At the intersection between science, medicine, sustainable design, and state of the art technology, its Wonderful World Gala was held at the Apella event space at the Alexandria Center® in New York City.

Proceeds from the event will help fund the important work of the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine (LACMM). The gala's beneficiary does exceptional and important work—from leading a study on music interventions for fragile infants and their parents across 15 U.S. hospitals, to providing adults with dementia, and their caregivers, access to Jazz at Lincoln Center, through a monthly concert program hosted by the LACCM.

The evening consisted of a stellar line-up of honorees whose compassion, talent, and unique essence, help to make the world more wonderful: Jackson Browne, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, musician and activist, Charles P. Melone, Jr., MD, FACS, Chief, Hand Surgery, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Prof. Orthopaedics, Icahn School of Medicine; Edwin and Donna Sirlin, Philanthropists; and Beau Rich, patient.

The Wonderful World Gala was hosted by Mercedes Ellington, modern-day dance pioneer and granddaughter of the late Duke Ellington, and Bill Daughtry, jazz and sports radio host. The program and honoring ceremony included a reception, silent auction, a live Broadway musical revue and musical performances from Mark Ackerman, Jon Faddis, Sharone Sayegh, Rema Webb, the Garry Dial Trio, Erik Lawrence, Marc Cohn and honoree Jackson Browne. The joy-filled event was supported by platinum sponsor, Signature Bank.

Upholding the theme of sustainable design and hospitality, Wonderful World 2017 gala attendees enjoyed cocktails and h'ors d'oeuvres from the Tom Colicchio urban farm-to-table concept restaurant, Riverpark. Attendees included a diverse representation of musicians, doctors, philanthropists, and activists in the realm of medicine, healthcare, music, education, and the arts.

Wonderful World: Friends of Music Therapy / Organization

Wonderful World: Friends of Music Therapy (WWFMT) is devoted to enhancing the lives of people throughout their life spans, whose health is threatened by chronic or terminal illnesses. The WWFMT board is comprised of members who understand the resilience that live music interventions can provide in combating symptoms affiliated with depression, heart disease, asthma-COPD, neurologic dysfunction, diabetes, cancer, etc. The organization supports those who are seeking to stay well, and programs that support such well-being, through the aid of music therapy. Music therapy can enhance resilience and integrate physical, cognitive, emotional and spiritual domains of everyday living.

For more info:
The Wonderful World: Friends of Music Therapy Organization:
www.wonderfulworldfriendsofmusictherapy.org
info@wonderfulworldfriendsofmusictherapy.org