Fourth Edition of The Nearness of You Benefit Concert Returns with Star-Studded Lineup for Cancer Research

The Nearness of You Benefit Concert is set to make its fourth appearance on Feb. 6 at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in New York City. The concert is dedicated to the memory of the late 15-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Michael Brecker and raising funds for cancer research.

The evening will feature captivating performances by renowned artists, including Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Christopher Cross, Dianne Reeves, and Branford Marsalis. The musical direction for the evening will be orchestrated by Will Lee, with an all-star band, including Randy Brecker and Steve Gadd, among others.

This year’s proceeds will contribute to the groundbreaking work of Azra Raza, MD, and Siddhartha Mukherjee, MD, DPhil, both associated with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center or HICCC. The concert is co-produced by Susan Brecker, Michael Brecker’s widow, and Darryl Pitt, his longtime manager.

Having raised nearly five million dollars in previous editions, the Nearness of You Concert has proven to be a significant force in supporting cancer research. Previous concerts have featured stellar lineups, including James Taylor, Paul Simon, Hugh Jackman, Diana Krall, Chaka Khan, and Wynton Marsalis.

Siddhartha Mukherjee expressed his gratitude for being part of the event, stating, “I am honored to be a part of this amazing event with such incredibly talented artists. Music, like medicine, has the profound capacity to change lives, and I ask for your support to help us change lives through the creative discoveries we translate into medicine.”

Susan Brecker, reflecting on her commitment to the cause, mentioned, “When Michael passed away, I wanted to give back to the cancer community to help patients and the doctors desperately trying to find a cure. Michael has been gone 17 years, and my commitment to supporting cancer research has only gotten stronger.”

Tax-deductible tickets for The Nearness of You Concert are available for purchase here.