Disasters tend to bring out the best in people, and — in terms of musicians — collaborations, compilations, and shows both interesting and inspiring (while sometimes maybe not the most cohesive works). John Zorn, for one, has stepped up to offer support to Japan by organizing an outstanding concert to benefit relief efforts in the wake of the earthquake earlier this month. On Sunday, March 27, experimental greats will gather to perform at Columbia University’s Miller Theatre, from Yoko Ono and Sonic Youth to Cibo Matto and John Zorn’s own Aleph Trio. All of the proceeds go to Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund — and tickets are already sold out!
Don’t worry though, the Japan Society recently announced additional concerts for Japan on April 8 and 9, also organized by Zorn. The former includes performances from Thurston Moore and Norah Jones, and the latter — lasting a whopping 12 hours — features Philip Glass, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, and Ryuichi Sakamoto! Zorn is behind a total of five anticipated concerts in NYC, all benefiting Japan 100%.
Go here for information on the concert at Miller Theatre, or here for the April dates now finalized. Finally, to really warm your heart, check out this interview with Zorn about the events over at The Awl.
Too bad you never moved to Brooklyn, huh?
Official lineup (Miller Theatre, March 27):
Sonic Youth
Yoko Ono
Mike Patton
Sean Lennon
Cibo Matto
Mephista
Marc Ribot
Uri Caine
Aleph Trio
John Zorn, host
• John Zorn: http://www.myspace.com/johnzorn
• Japan Society: http://www.japansociety.org
