Jazz prodigy headlines benefit concert Jazz prodigy headlines benefit concert (March 05, 2004)

CHAC will use proceeds to provide community services

By Dan Stapleton

Jazz aficionados and philanthropists take note: Friends of CHAC, a volunteer group that raises money for the Community Health Awareness Council, is holding its second annual fundraiser concert at 8 p.m. March 13 in the Los Altos High School Eagle Theatre. The show will feature the Taylor Eigsti Jazz Trio, comprised of Eigsti, drummer Jason Lewis and bassist John Shifflet.

Eigsti, a 19-year-old USC jazz student, began playing the piano when he was four-years-old and became known as a child prodigy. He has appeared on stage with Dave Brubeck, James Moody, Frederica von Stade and Bobby Hutcherson. Eigsti has opened for Diana Krall and Al Jarreau and has performed for former President Bill Clinton.

"My husband and I have been fans of his forever, and when Friends of CHAC talked about having a concert, I proposed trying to get Taylor's trio. I contacted his mother, who was managing him, and we lucked out," said CHAC board president Joan MacDonald.

CHAC was started in 1973 by mothers and community leaders concerned over the growing problem of drug and alcohol abuse by teens in Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. The organization currently provides a wide variety of programs at 27 schools aimed at preventing community problems such as substance abuse, teen pregnancy, truancy, domestic abuse, gang violence, poverty and suicidal behavior.

CHAC functions efficiently by employing interns, supervised by paid specialists, who are required to put in 3,000 hours of volunteer time in order to become certified to practice. "We are, if not the largest, one of the largest clinical training centers in Northern California for Marriage Family Therapists," said MacDonald.

As CHAC has expanded over the years it has outgrown its government funding sources. Combined funds from city budgets now make up less than 20 percent of CHAC's funds, so the organization relies heavily on donations, both private and corporate, and fundraisers. Friends of CHAC hopes to raise close to $10,000 from this event to fund CHAC programs.

The concert is co-sponsored by the Voice, the Los Altos Town Crier and See's Candies. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children under 18. For tickets, call 961-4833.

E-mail Dan Stapleton at dstapleton@mv-voice.com

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