Their job is to help weave connection into our lives 
by Claire Levine

Musicians often donate a lot of time performing in benefit concerts to help raise money for everything from children’s hospitals to homeless services, medical research to other nonprofits – programs they believe in. So, when Kris Deelane had the opportunity to volunteer for the JWF Musician Health & Services Program, she was doubly willing to help. “So rarely do we get to do large benefit shows for our peers.”

And since the very beginning, Kris has sung, played and organized her heart out for The JWF. As she has for ten years, Kris will take a central role in this year’s productions of The Next Waltz, scheduled for Nov.25, 26 and 27 at Portland’s Alberta Rose Theater. 

The Next Waltz

The Next Waltz recreates Martin Scorsese’s iconic concert film The Last Waltz, the last scheduled performance of the ground-breaking group The Band. Kris thinks The Next Waltz is the perfect way to carry on the spirit of The Band and the 1976 concert. From the Thanksgiving meal served before the show through to the last encores, the original show was about community – among musicians and the fans who chose to spend their holiday with them.

Over the years, Portland’s Next Waltz has brought dozens of musicians together, creating a large extended family. Kris said it’s been a great opportunity to meet, mingle and get to listen to each other play – something that doesn’t happen often enough when they are playing in different venues every night. And the fans, an essential part of the extended family, come back year after year.

For Kris, the hours of practice – plus six long nights of performance – are well worth it personally. And her JWF family continues to grow. The original concert in 1976 featured mostly white men, a model followed by the Portland show for the first few performances. But in recent years, at the house band’s urging, the producers have invited singers who better represent Portland’s diversity of culture and musical styles.

When Sarah Clarke sang It Makes No Difference during her first appearance in The Next Waltz, Kris said, “I could have died on stage, and my life would have been complete. It was so powerful.” 

It’s more than music

When you think about it, Kris said, musicians really provide a service. “Our job is to help create community in social arenas while people are off work and away from responsibilities. ”People rub elbows and fall in love with the people around them at concerts. They make friendships that last a lifetime.

"Creating music is a magical undertaking. The effect that music instills in hearts and minds is like alchemy,” Kris said. But it takes great effort and determination to get to the point of on-stage magic making.

Musicians work really hard, spending hours rehearsing and carrying heavy gear. "But on stage, we leave our troubles behind and send our energy out to the audience to help process the joy of being together, and sometimes also the tears that need to be shared for our communities to stay healthy.”

And yet there’s no safety net to catch these musicians who contribute so much to us all. That’s where the JWF Musician Health and Services Program comes in.

The JWF Musician Health & Services Program

“In addition to cash grants for musicians dealing with illnesses, foundation social services team, advocates for people. They fight to get you the help you need when you’re in any way disabled or struggling with mental health issues, or just don’t know how to get through the complicated health care system”, Kris said.

She has referred many friends to the foundation, setting them on the path to financial help and guidance.

After more than two years without live music, it's more evident than ever the ways “we are creating the soundtrack to peoples’ lives,” Kris said. “And the musicians and the support people who do this need help. They need support."

"The foundation uses money wisely, so your donations go a long way. I can’t recommend the JWF highly enough if you’re considering an end-of-year contribution to a non-profit,” Kris said.

Want to see The Next Waltz this year? Tickets are available here. A portion of the proceeds from all events will support the JWF Musician Health & Services Program.

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